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/ 

HISTORY 



OF 






TENNESSEE 



From the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and 
A Biographical -Sketch of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin and Moore 
Counties;, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminis- 
cences, Observations, Etc., Etc. 



ILXjXJSTIE^^TEID. 



Nashville : 
THE GOODSPEED PUBLISHING CO., 

1886. 



SNOWED 






The State History, only, has b«en 
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1886, by 
THE G00D6PEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
In the Oflfice of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



/o 






'/' ' ■i 



PREFACE. 5" 



^ 



THIS volume has been prepared in response to the prevailing and popular 
demand for the preservation of local history and biography. The method 
of preparation followed is the most successful and the most satisfactory yet de- 
'ised — the most successful in the enormous number of volumes circulated, and 
f- 10 most satisfactory in the general preservation of personal biography and 
family record conjointly with local history. The number of volumes now being 
distributed appears fabulous. Within the last four years not less than 20,000 
volumes of this class of works have been distributed in Kentucky, and the 
demand is not half satisfied. Careful estimates place the number circulated 
in Ohio at 50,000; Pennsylvania, 60,000; New York, 75,000; Indiana, 35.- 
000; Illinois, 40,000; Iowa, 35,000, and every other Northern State at the 
same proportionate rate. The Southern States, with the exception of Ken- 
tucky, Virginia and Georgia, owing mainly to the disorganization succeeding 
the civil war, yet retain, ready for the publisher, their stores of history and 
biograpiiv Within the next five years the vast and valuable fund of pei'ishing 
event in all the Southern States will be rescued from decay, and be recorded and 
preserved — to be reviewed, studied and compared for the benefit of future gener- 
ations. The design of the present extensive historical and biographical research 
is more to gather and preserve in attractive form, while fresh with the evidences 
of truth, the enormous fund of perishing occurrence, than to abstract from insujQBi- 
ient contemporaneous data remote, doubtful or incorrect conclusions. The 
ue perspective of the landscape of life can only be seen from the distance that 
nds enchantment to the view. It is asserted that no person is competent to 
rite a philosophical history of his own time — that, owing to conflicting cir- 
omstantial evidence that yet conceals the truth, he can not take that luminous, 
»rrect, comprehensive, logical and unprejudiced view of passing events, that will 
ble him to draw accurate and enduring conclusions. The duty, then, of 
listorian of his own time is to collect, classify and preserve the material for 
. final historian of the future. The present historian deals in fact, the future 
+orian, in conclusion; the work of the former is statistical, of the latter 
osophical. 
^ him who has not attempted the collection of historical data, the obstacles 
surmounted are unknown. Doubtful traditions, conflicting statements, 
ct records, inaccurate private correspondence, the bias or untruthfulness 
ners, and the general obscurity which envelopes all passing events, 
o bewilder and mislead. On the contrary, the preparation of statis- 



IV PREFACE. 

tical history by experienced, unprejudiced and competent workers 
ties; the accomplishment by a union of labor of a vast result that t\ 
one person the best years of his life and transfer the collection of 
event beyond the hope of research; the judicious selection of importi 
from the general rubbish; and the careful and intelligent revision o. 
manuscript by an editor-in-chief, yield a degree of celerity, system, accxiracy, 
comprehensiveness and value unattainable by any other method. The pub- 
lishers of this volume, fully aware of their inability to furnish a perfect his- 
tory, an accomplishment vouchsafed only to the imagination of the di-eamer 
or the theorist, make no pretension of having prepared a work devoid of 
blemish. They feel assured that all thoughtful people, at present and in 
future, will recognize and appreciate the importance of their undertaking an-l 
the great public benefit that has been accomplished. 

In the preparation of this volume the publishers have met with nothing but 
courtesy and assistance. They acknowledge their indebtedness for valuable 
favOrs to the Governor, the State Librarian, the Secretary of the State Historical 
Society and to more than a hundred of other prominent citizens of Nashville. 
Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Clarksville, Columbia and the 
smaller cities of the State. It is the design of the publishers to compile and 
issue, in connection with the State history, a brief yet comprehensive historical 
account of every county in the State, copies of which will be placed in the 
State Library. In the prosecution of this work they hope to meet with the 
same cordial assistance extended to them during the compilation of this 
volume. 

THE PUBLISHEKS. 

Nashville, September, 1886. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE. 

New Orleans, The Movement upon *'J7 

New Orleans, Jackson's Victory at 468 

Seminole War, The 409 

Tories of East Tennessee, The 454 

Talladega, Battle of 468 

Tohopeka, Battle of 4G5 

Texas-Mexican War, The 472 

Tennessee Troops Sent to Mexico 474 to 476 

War of 1812, The 461 

Wahoo Swamp, Battle of. 472 

CHAPTER XV. 

Federal Military History 477 

Burnside's Occupation of East Tennessee 490 

Bridge Burners Ordered Hanged • 4s8 

Campbell's Station, Battle of. 491 

Confederate Movements 486 

Fishing Creek, Battle of 488 

Federal Trcops Furnished, Total 497 

General Movements 489 

Greenville "nion Convention, The 481 

Issue Joinea, The 483 

Kuoxville Union Convention, The 479 

Knoxville, Siege of. 492 

Longstreet u*. Buruside 491 

Loyalty of East Tennessee 477 

Morgan, The Killing of. 495 

Kegimental Sketches 497 to 6'2 

Skirmishes, The Concluding 496 

Union Leaders, The 478 

Union Regiments Organized 484 

CHAPTER XVL 

Confederate Military History 513 

Army Bill, The 522 

Arms, Condition and Quantity 515 

Aid Societies 639 

Advance to Columbus, The 643 

Army Rolls 595 to 617 

Belmont, Battle of 545 

Burnside in East Tennessee 658 

Call to Arms, The 518 

Confederate Government, The 635 

Chickamauga, Battle of 556 

Confederate Line, Danger to the 547 

Confederate Forces, iiggregate 646 

Defensive Measures, Extent of. 536 to 639 

Election Returns of June 8 532 to 534 

Evacuation of Middle Tennessee 550 

February Convention, The 614 

Fishing Creek, Battle of 547 

FortHenrv, Fall of , 648 

Franklin, Battle of 660 

Fort Donelson, Fall «i 548 

Georgia Campaign, The 569 

Legisluture Convened, The 618 

Militia, Reorganization of the 615 

Military League, The 528 

Militia Transferred to the Confederacy 540 

Memphis, Surrender of 553 

Military Appointments 530 

Murfreesboro, Battle of. 555 

Missionary Ridge, Battle of 557 

Neutrality Question, The 544 

Nashville, Federal Occupation of. 549 

Nashville, Battle of _ 560 

Ordinance of Secession, The 520 

Ordnance, The Manufacture of. 541 

Perry ville, Battle of. 554 

Position of the General Assembly 516 

Reserve Corps, The 542 

Rock Castle Hills, Battleof. 544 

Regimental Sketches 561 to 595 

State Sovereignty and Secession 513 

Shiloh, Battle of. 550 

Secession Overwhelmingly Favored 517 

Tennessee Admitted tothe Confederacy 535 

Troops, Call for and Refusal to Furnish 517 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Tennessee Literature 617 

Brownlow 622 

Bright 628 

Brunner 625 

Baskerville 625 

Baldwin 625 

Brown 628 

Chattanooga Press, The 631 



PAGE. 

Crockett 623- 

Carr 625 

Cross 629 



Fitzgerald _ 

French 

Geological Authors 

Guild 

Graves (Joseph C.) 

Graves (Adelia C.) 

Gilchrist .'. 

Harrison 

Haywood 

Journalism 

Ketchum 

Knoxville Press, The. 
Law 



Lindsley (Phillip) 

Lindsley (J. Berrien) 

Legal Authors 

Murfree 

Memphis Press, The 

McAdoo .': 

McAnally 

McFerrin 

Martin 

SIcTyeire 

Medical Authors 

Maury 

Nelson 621 

Nashville Pr'ss, The 

Putnam 

Pearson 

Ramsey 

Redford 

Ryan i 

Rivers 

Summers 

Tannehill 



625 
627 
623 
624 
624 
627 
629 
624 
618 
629 
627 
629 
628 
624 
619 
626 
62& 
637 
629 
621 
621 
622 
622 
622 
623 
623 
632 
619 
621 
618 
624 
622 
6'.22 
625 
620- 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Religious History 638 

Arminianism, The Creed of 648 

Buildings Erected, The first 646 

Baptist Church, The 687 

Church and State, Union of. *40 

Camp-Meeting, The first 650 

Creeds, Formation of the 658 

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, The 658 

Christian Church, The TOO 

Catholic Church, The 704 

Colored Churclies, The 708 

Episcopal Church, The 694 

Irreligion Punished 641 

Jerks, The 651 to C.55 

Jerks, The Cause of the 655 to C"7 

Jewish Church, The 706 

Lutheran Church, The 705 

Methodist Church, The 60:? 

Methodist Church South 076 

Methodist Statistics 676 to 679 

Methodist Book Concern, The 679 

Preaching in Tennessee, The first 645 

Presbyterian Church, The 680 

Revival. The Great 649 to (5.54 

Religious Intolerance 0.39 

Separation of Church and State 644 

Slavery Divides the Church 667 to 676 

University of the South, The 069 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Biographical Chapter 708 

Blount, <jov. William 716 

Bell, Hon. John 733 

Brownlow, Gov. William G 740 

Carroll, Gov. William 719 

Crockett, Col. David 728 

Forrest, Gen. N. B 742 

Grundy, Hon. Felix 7.9 

Haywood, Judge John 714 

Houston, Gov. Sam 724 

Jackson, President Andrew 720 

Job uson. President Andrew 745 

Johnson, Hon. Cave 735 

Polk, President James K 738 

Robertson, Gen. James 712 

Sevier, Gov. John 708 

White, Hon. Hugh L 732 

Zollicoffer, Gen. Felix K 747 



CONTENTS. 



GILES COUKTY. 

PAGE. 

■Giles County 749 

Buildings 754 

Countv Officers 756, 757 

Courts, The 764 to 756 

County, Creation of the 753 

Churches 769 

Geology, Streams, etc 745 

Indian" Reserve, Invasion of the 761 

Military Record. The 767 to 700 

Mills, CottonGins, etc 751, 752 

Productions 749 

Powder-Mills 751 

Public Highways 754 

Settlement 750 

Seat of .Tustice, The 753 

Schools 764 

Towns, Villages, etc 760 to 764 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 

Lincoln CorsT\' 767 

Act of Creation 770 

Boundary, etc 767 

County Officers 771 

Courts, The 773, 774 

Drainage, Tieology, etc 767 

Education 782, 783 

Industrial Enterprises 769, 770 

Land Grants 767 

Newspapers 779 

Public ISuildings 772 

Religion ; 783, 784 

Settlement 768, 769 

Statistics 772 

Towns, Villages, etc 778 to 782 

War Pvecord 774 to 778 



FRANKLIK COUNTY. 

Feanklin County 785 

County Officers 791 

Courts, The 792 to 794 

County (^reated. The 789 

Churches 803, 804 

Elections 791 

Geology and Temperature 786 

Industries 788, 789 

I^aud lirants 787 

Paupers, The 790 

Settlement 786, 787 

Seat of Justice 790 

Schools 800 to 803 

Topography, etc 785 

Towns, etc ; 796 to 800 

War Matters 794 to 796 



MOORE COUNTY. 

PAOE. 

Moore County 804 

Buildings 809 

Courts, The 811, 812 

Churches 818, 819 

Pistilleries 807 

Geology, etc 804, 805 

Industries, The Early 806 

Military Afiairs 812 to 815 

■ Organization of the County .807, 808 

Settlers, etc 805, 806 

Schools 817, 818 

Seat of Justice 809 

Statistics 810 

Towns, etc 815 to 817 

Whipping 807 

BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Franklin County 820 

Giles County 846 

Lincoln County 876 

Moore County 924 

PORTRAITS, MAPS AND VIEWS. 

Aboriginal Map Frontispiece 

Blind Asylum Between 124, 125 

Bell.John " 732, 733 

Blount, William " 716, 717 

Brownlow, W. G " 508, 509 

Chapel, University of the South " 348, 349 

Chickamauga " 656, 557 

Crockett, David " 1.56, 157 

Donelson " 476, 477 

Deaf and Dumb Asylum " 268,269 

Franklin " 588, 589 

Grundy, Felix " 380,381 

Hodgson, Rev. Telfair " 796, 797 

Insane Asylum, West Tennessee " 140, 141 

Insane Asylum, East Tennessee " 92, 93 

Jackson's Eque.<5trian Statue " 284,285 

Jackson, Andrew " 460,461 

Johnson, Andrew " 636,637 

Johnson, Cave " 668, 669 

Murfreesboro " 572, 573 

Missionary Ridge " 492,493 

Nashville " 604, 605 

Normal School " 428, 429 

Polk, James K " 396,397 

Robertson, James " 76, 77 

Shiloh " 540, 541 

State Capitol " 28, 29 

Sevier, John " 220,221 

Thompson's Hall " 316, 3! 

Tennessee University " 444, 4» 

University of the .South " 700,7 

View on Emery River " 44, 

View on Falls Creek " 188, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



CHAPTER I * 

Geology of the State— Boundary and Area— Drainage and Mean Eleva- 
tion—General Topographical Features— Natural Geological Divis- 
ions — Classification and Description of Strata — Tennessee Geological 
Periods— Local Details— Varieties of Soil— The Coal Interests- 
Local Stratification — Analysis and Comparison of Coals— Iron De- 
posits AND Varieties— Paleontology— Copper and Galenite— Other 
Metals— The JSIarble Beds — Hygrometry and Temperature— Princi- 
pal Elevations of the State. 

THE southern boundary of the State of Tennessee coincides mainly 
with the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude, while the northern 
boundary is a broken line lying between the parallels thirty-six degrees 
and twenty-nine minutes and thirty-six degrees and forty-one minutes 
north latitude. The mean breadth is slightly more than 109 miles, and 
the mean length about 385 miles, the general outline forming a long 
-|;rapezoid. The State comprises an area of about 42,000 square miles, 
fhe general elevation above the sea, excepting the leading highest and 
owest localities, is about 900 feet. The entire surface of the State, ex- 
cepting a small tract on the southeast, the waters of which find their 
way into Georgia, is drained by the tributaries of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi Rivers, the most important being Tennessee, Cumberland, Forked 
Deer, Obion and Hatchie. 

On the eastern boundary of the State, with numerous outliers and 
projections, are the Appalachian Mountains, •j- consisting of high ranges 
more or less parallel, with isolated peaks and domes, all interspersed with 
numerous ravines, creeks and coves, and the entire region presenting the 
most picturesque and romantic scenery of the State. Westward of this 
mountainous system to just beyond the Tennessee River spreads a broad 
^'alley with most distinguishing features. The general surface is uniform, 
but is cut up with numerous long, high ridges extending northeast and 
southwest, surmounted witJi occasional mountainous elevations, ai^d 

♦Adapted to this volume from the report of the State Geologist. 

fNamed by the Spaniards under De Soto, who derived the term from the Indians.— ^?n. Cyc. 

I 



14 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

broken here and there l)y gaps, or is dotted with innumerable knobs^ 
often mountainous, all of which are encircled with valleys, linear or curv- 
ing, to correspond with the elevation. The general surface, excluding 
the extremes, is about 900 feet above the level of the sea. The. 'entire 
valley with all its coves and extensions has an area of about 9,200 square 
miles. Westward of this valley lies the Cumberland Table-land, the 
eastern boundary of which is high and almost unbroken from Kentucky 
to Alabama, while the western boundary is very irregular, with less 
elevation and with numerous valley and stream indentations. Though 
the table-land contains many streams and small valleys, it is, in the main, 
of uniform surface, but broken with mountainous ridges and knobs, par- 
ticularly in the northeastern portion. The mean elevation is about 
2,000 feet, and the extent is about 5,100 square miles. West of the 
table-land is the Central Basin, having the general outline of an ellipse, 
with a length (nearly north and south) of about 121 miles, and a width 
of from fifty-five to sixty miles. It comprises about 5,451 square miles, 
and has a mean elevation of from 500 to 600 feet. The surface is knobby 
or billowy, with numerous large and very fertile tracts. Outside of the 
basin, entirely encircling it, is the Highland Rim, an extremely hilly 
portion of the State. It is over 1,000 feet above the sea. The hills on 
each side of the western valley of the Tennessee are from 800 to 1,000 
feet above the sea, while the elevation of the valley at Hamburgh is only 
392 feet. The Mississippi slope of West Tennessee, though in the main 
level, is veined with j^eculiar stream valleys, is about eighty-four miles 
wide, stretches north and south across the State and terminates abruptly 
on the west with the bluff deposits which skirt the valley of the 
Mississippi. The bluffs reach the river at Memphis, at the lower 
part of Tiptoi, County, at Randolph and at Fulton. The mean elevaticm 
is about 450 feet, and the extent about 8,850 square miles. The Missis- 
sippi Valley is low, swampy and level. Reelfoot Lake, lying in this valley, 
was formed during the volcanic convulsions of 1811-12, when Reelfoot 
Creek, which then emptied into the Mississippi, was dammed up and its 
water spread out over a tract of country from three-fourths to three miles 
wide and eighteen miles long, forming the present lake, which finally 
forced an outlet through Obion River. The elevation of the valley is 
about 215 feet at Memphis and 295 feet on the northern boundary of the 
State. 

The geological features of Tennessee are so marked and have been 
so minutely and critically examined by competent State authorities, that 
but little if any improvement can be made to what has already been made 
public. The State presents to the geologist eight localities having dis- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 15 

tinct characteristics as follows: 1. The Unaka region. 2, The valley 
of East Tennessee. 3. The Cumberland Table-land. 4 The Highland 
Rim. 5. The Central Basin. 0. The Western Valley of the Tennessee 
Eiver. 7. The Plateau slope of West Tennessee. 8. The Mississippi 
Bottom region. The characteristics of each division will be described 
somewhat in detail, leaving the more minute particulars to the province 
of local history. To prepare the reader for a clearer knowledge of the 
subject, an outline of the science of geology in general is presented. 
For convenience, students of geology have divided the strata of the earth 
into clearly defined groups, having uniform distinctions, to which names 
implying the leading characteristics have been given, as follows: 

1. Archajan Period, Archaean Age, Azoic Time. 

2. Primordial Period, Lower Silurian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

3. Canadian Period, Lower Silurian Age, Paleczic Time. 

4. Trenton Period. Lower Silurian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

5. Niagara Period, Upper Silurian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

6. Salina Period, Upper Silurian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

7. Helderberg Period, Upper Silurian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

8. Oriskany Period, tapper Silurian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

9. Corniferous Period, Devonian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

10. Hamilton Period, Devonian Age, Paleozoic Time 

11. Cliemuug Period, Devonian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

12. Catskill Period, Devonian Age, Paleozoic Time. 

13. Subcarboniferous Period, Carboniferous Age, Paleozoic Time. 

14. Carboniferous Period, Carboniferou.s Age, Paleozoic Time. 

15. Permian Period, Carboniferous Age, Paleozoic Time. 

16. Triassic Period, Reptilian Age, Mesozoic Time. 

17. Jurassic Period, Reptilian Age, Mesozoic Time. 

18. Cretaceous Period, Reptilian Age, Mesozoic Time. * 

19. Lignitic Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

20. Alabama Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

21. Miocene Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

22. Pliocene Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

23. Glacial Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

24. Champlain Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

25. Recent Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

26. Human Period, Mammalian Age, Cenozoic Time. 

Azoic is so called because it is destitute of evidences of the remains 
of animal, and possibly vegetable, life ; Paleozoic because of the appear- 
ance of both animal and vegetable life; Mesozoic because of its situa- 
tion between the earlier and present times, and Cenozoic because of the 
presence of mammals. Of the ages, Silurian represents that when the 
simpler form of both animal and vegetable life appeared; Devonian 
when fishes and kindred animal life and a more advanced vegetable life 
appeared ; Carboniferous when a gigantic vegetation enveloped the earth ; 
Reptilian when the swampy surface of the earth became filled with rep- 
lies, some of gigantic size; Mammalian when animals which suckle their 



h) HISTOltY OF TENNESSEE. 

young flourished. The latter age comprises human beings. The periods 
are superimposed upon each other in the order given above, the Archfean 
being the lowest and oldest, and the others being formed in succession 
since through the lapse of an indeterminate tliough very long period of 
years. A stratum is a more or less homogeneous layer of earth, the 
term earth being used to designate any portion of what is commonly 
called ground. All strata, whether stone, sand, clay, gravel or other 
inorganic material, were originally rocks, which are either yet in that 
state or have been more or less powdered, mainly by the action of the 
climatic elements, and have become associated with more or less organic 
matter, thus forming tlie numerous varieties of soil. As the fertility of 
soil depends upon its degree of disintegration, the quantity and quality 
of organic and inorganic matter combined, and the extent and character 
of chemical union between the constituents, it becomes a question of 
great value to the husbandman to be able to determine the properties of 
his soil, its strength under certain continued vegetation, the proper time 
for a cliange of crops, for the work of the plow and for the use of 
manures, and many other important particulars. Each period given 
above represents a long, indefinite lapse of time, extending into the tens 
T,nd probably the hundreds of thousands of years, and comprising various 
strata of different kinds of soil, each of which was formed under the 
surface of water or by its action, and has been definitely defined and 
ascertained. 

Of the abo-*e periods only thirteen are represented in Tennessee, as 
follows: Primordial.— The metamorphic rocks, the Ocoee slates and 
conglomerates, and the Chilhowee sandstone. Canadian. — The Knox 
group of magnesian limestones and shales, and the Lenoir limestone. 
Trenton. — The Lebanon and Nashville limestones. Niagara. — Clinch 
Mountain sandstone, the Dyestone or Red Iron ore formation, and the 
Clifton limestones. Helderberg. — The Linden limestone, Hamilton. — 
The Black Shale. Subcarboniferous. — The Barren Group, the St. Louis 
limestone and the Mountain limestone. Coal Measures. — The coal form 
ation. Cretaceous. — The Coffee sand, the Rotten limestone, and thu 
Ripley Group. Lignitic. — The Flatwood clays and sands, and the La 
Grange sand. Glacial. — The Orange sand. Champlain. — The Bluff 
Loam. Recent. — Alluvium. 

The Primordial Period includes the Metamorphic rocks, the Ocoei? 
slates and conglomerates, and the Chilhowee sandstones. These arti 
very thick and massive formations, and embrace tlie rocks of the great 
ITnaka range. Their strata are hard and pre-eminently mountain-mak- 
ing, a' d are not found outside of the Unaka mountain area. The* 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 1" 

lands can never l)e brought into successful cultivation on account of 
the ruggedness of the country. Magnetic iron ore, copper ore, roof- 
ing slate, building material, and some gold are found in these forma- 
tions. The metamorphic formation is composed of thick and thin-bed- 
ded granite-like rocks called gneiss, talcose slate and mica slate, the 
constituents of which are quartz, mica, feldspar, talc and similar minerals. 
They were originally common sandstones, conglomerates, shales, etc., 
which have lost their original character and have become crystalized 
through the agency of heat or other means. The soils of this locality 
are generally thin and poor, with here and there a spot of singular fertil- 
ity. Wild grasses grow fairly well, and fine walnut, cherry, poplar, beech 
and oak abound. Buckwheat grows luxuriantly in a few spots. The cop- 
per mines of Polk County and the magnetic iron ore of Carter County are 
in this formation. The Ocoee group is a series of changeable rocks 
having an estimated thickness of 10,000 feet, and composing the greater 
part of the Unakas. There are heavy beds of conglomerates, sandstonei; 
clay slates, semi-talcose and roofing slates, and dolomite or magnesian 
limestone. Occasional veins of quartz are gold-bearing. The beds of 
roofing slates are especially valuable. The soil is similar to that of the 
metamorphic formation. The Chilhowee sandstone has an estimated 
maximum thickness of not less than 2,000 feet, and extends to Chilhowee 
and similar mountains which form the most northwesterly interrupted 
range of the Unakas. The stone is usually heavy-bedded and gravish 
white when weathered, but is sometimes whitish quartose and sometimes 
includes sandy shales. 

The Canadian Period includes the Knox group of magnesian lime- 
stones and shales and the Lenoir limestone. The Knox sandstone of this 
period forms ridges which present a sort of transition between the moun- 
tain and valley formations. It comprises variegated sandstones, shales 
and occasional dolomites, having an aggregate thickness of 800 to 1,000 
feet. The formation is of little agricultural importance, but presents 
marked topographical features, such as sharp roof-like or comby ridges. 
WebVs, Rosebury's, Bay Mountain, Beaver, Bull Run and Pine Ridges 
are of this formation. The Knox shale is a brown, reddish, buff or o-reen 
calcareous shale 2,000 or more feet thick. Occasionally it contains thi- 
layers of oolitic limestone, and as it approaches the Unakas becomes m 
calcareous, even to a slaty limestone or dolomite. Upon this for 
of the Knox group are the principal valleys, especially in the 
ern, western and southern portions of the valley of East T 
contains many long, beautiful and generally rich valle- 
and trilobites, about the oldest specimens of animal 1 * 



18 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

see, occur in the limestone layers of this group. The entire valley of 
East Tennessee was, doubtless, once much higher than at present, but 
has been denuded by the action of water principally, leaving the strata 
in variable inclijiations. TJie Knox dolomite outcrops over a large por- 
tion of East Tennessee Valley, and is the most massive formation in the 
otate. It is estimated to be nearly a mile in thickness, and consists of 
heavy -bedded strata of blue and gray limestones and dolomites, being 
often oolitic at the base and crystaline or sparry above, with more or less 
chert or flint occurring sparsely in thin layers and nodules. It is com- 
posed of the carbonates of lime and magnesia containing more or less 
sand, argillaceous and ferruginous matter, with fossils in the lower oolitic 
strata ; and its outcrops are confined to this valley, with the single excep- 
tion of an exposure in the curious Well's Creek Basin, in Houston 
Oounty. In several places in the Central Basin it is not far from the 
surface. Generally the disintegration of the dolomite furnishes rich 
plant food, and nearly all grains grow well in the better localities. 

The Trenton Period, comprising the Lebanon and Nashville lime- 
stones, is, in general, a great series of l)lue limestone, rich in fossils and 
plant food. They are the principal rocks of the Central Basin, lying ap- 
proximately in a horizontal position, and constitute the surface rocks of 
many long valley-ranges of East Tennessee, of which the soils are dis- 
tinguished for their fertility and the ranges for their symmetry and 

ieaut}'. They are also uncovered in the western valley of the Tennessee. 
Jnder denuding and eroding agencies these rocks present the richest 
valley and lowland depressions. The maximum thickness of the period 
in East Tennessee is between 2,500 and 3,000 feet. It has two mem- 
bers — the lower blue limestone on both sides of the valley and the upper 
calcareous though sandy stone in the southeast half of the valley. The 
lower member varies in thickness from 200 to GOO feet. Further north 
11 is thin and poor. It is more or less argillaceous, and with the Knox 
dolomite forms many rich valleys. It often dips at right angles. The 
upper member is. in the southeast, a great mass of sky-blue calcareous 
shale more or less sandy. It often contains thin layers of limestone and 
sandstone and has a maximum thickness of about 2,000 feet. The two 

rreat belts where this stone outcrops, called the Gray Knobs and the 

\ Knobs, present distinguishing and important characteristics. In 

''ct of the Gray Knobs bold, pointed and steep hills, with vales of 

"'<Xth and fertility winding among them, stand crowded together. 

-^e is due to the different erosive effects of water agen- 

^f varying and widely opposite degrees of hardness, the 

1 or worn away and the harder slowly left high and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 25 

certain, and on this soil are many of the best farms of the State. The 
soil of the Central Basin is more fertile, but, as the underlying limestone 
is nearer the surface, is more easily affected by drouth, so that, in the end 
it is not more productive than the Lower Carboniferous soil. The latter 
will not admit of tramping, owing to the clay it contains ; while the Nash- 
ville soil does better with packing, owing to its porous state caused by 
the presence of considerable sand. Blue-grass does not thrive so well 
on the clayey soil. The largest orchards of the State are grown on the 
Lower Carbniferous soil, though many other portions are as valuable in 
this respect. The second soil of the Lower Carboniferous Period, on the 
slopes of the tableland, contains less chert, but is highly productive. It 
is not so red, resembling more the alluvial bottoms, and contains less 
clay and more sand than the first soil of this period, and is, therefi. 
mor.> fertile though less durable than the Nashville soil. Heavy for 
cover its principal tracts in Overton, White, AVarren and Fentress CoUa-, 
ties. The green sand soil is a siliceous loam, resting upon mixed san 
and clay, containing carbonate of lime and numerous green pebbles o 
glauconite. Lime is obtained from the numerous shell heaps contained. 
This constituent renders the soil much more fertile, friable and produc- 
tive. Cotton and corn, and often wheat, grow well. The green sand 
giving name to this* group, contains gypsum, soluble silica, oxide of iron 
and carbonate of lime, all fertile ingredients, and may, in the end, as the 
deposit is eight miles wide and fifty miles long and quite thick, be used 
extensively as a fertilizer. 

The shaly soils of the State are usually cold, clayey, unimportant and 
unproductive except for grasses. The alluvial soils, in the aggregate, 
occupy a larger area than any other. Nine hundred square miles lie in 
one body in the valley of the Mississippi, and to this must be added the 
immense aggregate of all the creek and river bottoms of the State, a vast 
though indeterminate expanse. The alluvial soils differ much in charac- 
ter, some containing much lime, some miicli sand, some a noticeable lack 
of both, depending on the constituents of the surrounding highlands 
from which the rich washings come. These alluvial soils are the richest, 
most durable and productive of the State— most durable because of the 
constant renewal of their fertile elements drained from the adjacent hills. 
They are especially adapted for wheat — forty bushels not infrequently being 
raised upon one acre. A sandy soil is usually warm, a clayey one cold ; some 
are light, heavy, loamy, marly, leachy, limy, sour, sweet, marshy, com- 
pact, tenacious, porous, fine, coarse, gravelly or rocky, and their product- 
iveness not only depends upon the fertile elements such as soluble silica, 
lime, carbon, potash, magnesia, oxide of iron and their compounds and 



26 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

other fertile matter such as nitrogen, ammonia, carbonic acid, sulphuric 
acid, etc., but upon climatic and other allied conditions, such as heat, 
cold, drouths, drainage, rains, subsoils, manures, pulverization, etc. 
The best condition of a soil for production is a thorough pulverization, 
with a subsoil of sufficient tenacity to hold fertilizers and moisture, and 
yet well drained of its surplus waters. The decomposing vegetable mat- 
ter called humus, gives wonderful richness to the soil and furnishes car- 
bonic acid, nitrogen and ammonia, the life-blood of plants. 

The sandy soils are found mainly in West Tennessee. They contain 
a greater or less quantity of iron compounds, clay and calcareous mat- 
ter, which, in some localities, give them great vigor, but where these ele- 
mets are lacking leave them comparatively sterile. Level lands, or those 

)roximately so, if well drained, do best, as they are not washed of their 

it food elements so readily. The soil of the Orange sand is the most 

iportant, and is spread over the greater portion of West Tennessee. The 

)ils of the Eipley and Flatwood groups embrace some fine farming land. 

,nd some too much broken into hills and ridges to be convenient to work. 

In some localities the Flatwood group contains layers of laminated clay. 

which furnish a stiff soil. The sandy soils, if properly fertilized and 

cared for, repay the husbandman with a fair harvest. 

The bluff loam, or loess, covering all other formations in the belt of 
high lands extending from the Kentucky line to Memphis, is a fine cal- 
careo-siliceous earth, often ash colored, sometimes reddish or chocolate 
colored, and occasionally black. It contains more calcareous matter than 
the others, except the green sand. Carbonate of lime is sometimes found 
in concretions in heaps. This soil is among the best in the State, owing 
its valuable qualities to the lime, sand, iron, clay, etc., it contains, and 
to the excellent pulverulent qualities it possesses. Tobacco, cotton, 
wheat, oats, clover, and the grasses grow luxuriantly, while the forests are 
very extensive and some of the trees of enormous size. 

The siliceous or flinty soils are found in greatest abundance over the 
counties of Lawrence, Wayne, Lewis, Stewart, Montgomery, DeKalb. 
Cannon, Coffee, Mpore, Hickman, Humphreys, Dickson and Franklin, 
and are thin and poor. They have a bluish, or pale yellow subsoil so 
porous til at manures are lost after a few years. The natural vegetation 
of all kinds is scrubby and coarse, though a rank grass which grows in 
open woods supplies large herds of stock. Fruit trees do well. These 
are the "barrens," which are destitute of calcareous matter and have a 
porous subsoil and a leachy surface soil. Similar lands containing lime 
and iron and having a tenacious red subsoil a1ce much better. 

The soils of the Unaka region are generally thin and unproductive. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 27 

though wild grasses grow well, and here and there a spot of surprising 
fertility appears. The mountain slopes are often covered with heavy tim- 
ber. The soil of the Chilhowee sandstone occupies mountainous locations 
is limited in extent, but in small spots furnishes gardens and vegetable 
fields. Blue-grass may be grown on this soil. The soil of the Clinch 
Mountain sandstone is thin, but potatoes and other vegetables, and grass 
and timber do well. The Dyestone and White Oak Mountain soils are 
good, though limited in area. The soil of the Cun.berland Table-land, 
which covers over 5,000 square miles of the State, is sandy and thin, 
though there are areas of moderate fertility at the foot of knobs and 
ridges, where fertile washings from the slopes are gathered. All the val- 
leys are fertile, and accordingly productive. No lime appears, all being 
sand, and compost soon sinks below plant roots. The yellowish red subsoil, 
with a thin coating of humus, is more valuable than that with less iron 
and little or no humus. The former, with care and proper composts, may 
be made highly productive ; not so the latter, which is too porous and 
tender, and, when uncultivated, produces nothing but shrubby trees; hardy, 
coarse weeds and grass, lichens and mosses. The glades and wet lands 
along the streams may be made valuable by drainage and by the use of 
alkalies to neutralize the abundant acid liberated by the decomposition of 
a superabundance of vegetable remains. 

The Coals. — The area of the coal-bearing strata amounts to 5,100 
square miles, and over this vast extent of country from one to sixteen 
seams occur. The coal fields include the counties of Scott, Morgan and 
Cumberland, the greater portions of Pickett, Fentress, Van Buren, Bled- 
soe, Grundy, Sequatchie and Marion; considerable portions of Claiborne, 
Campbell, Anderson, Rhea, Roane, Overton, Hamilton, Putnam, White 
and Franklin, and small portions of Warren and Coffee. About 1,000 
square miles of the northeastern portion of this tract consists of a series 
of short irregular mountain chains, breaking away from the main Cum- 
berland Mountain ridge, and casting heavenward numerous j^eaks of 
great height. The remainder of the coal tract, except certain portions 
in the southern part, is the true Cumberland Table-land or plateau. The 
upper coal measures embrace one or two principal sandstones (one of 
which may be a conglomerate) and an equal number of coal horizons in 
which one or more beds of coal may be expected. These and their ac- 
companying strata compose the upper plateau, and have a thickness of 
from 200 to 300 feet, but are not typical of the tract of 1,000 square 
miles, to which reference was made above. The conglomerate sandstone, 
upon which the upper coal measures rest, usually contains numerous 
small white quartz pebbles, and is sometimes a double seam, embracing 



28 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

an important coal horizon. The lower coal measures consist of a series 
of sandstones and shales with from one to three or four coal veins, and 
constitute the most important division of the carboniferous period in the 
.■r'tate and over a considerable area the only one available as a source of 
coal. Excluding the ClifP rock the thickness of this division ranges from 
a few feet to 300. These characteristics are, in general, typical only of * 
the southern, western and northwestern portions of the table-land, as the 
northeastern portion and a strip along the eastern side, in the counties of 
Claiborne, Scott, Campbell, Anderson and Morgan, have a thickness of 
the upper coal measures, in some places of over 2,000 feet. The coal meas- 
ures above the conglomerate have been much denuded, particularly on 
the western side of the table-land, and at points where the formations are 
iLluch elevated, the reverse being true where the elevations are low. 
Where the coal measures are thickest the conglomerate is depressed and 
the waste by denudation is measurably compensated by the superior de- 
velopment, at many points, of the lower coal measures. 

In i;he Sewanee District, embracing parts of the counties of Franklin, 
Marion, Sequatchie, Grundy, Warren, Bledsoe and Yan Buren, the coal 
measures are approximately horizontal. The following section, the low- 
est strata of which are taken from the gulf of Little Gizzard Creek, about 
two miles south of Tracy City,^ and the higher in succession in ascending 
the stream to the plateau or top of the conglomerate, exhibits well the 
sreneral character of the formations of the coal measures in the Sewanee 
District : 

UPPER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 
Sandstone, the conglomerate or cap rock of the upper plateau and 

the uppermost stratum in this region 50 

Coal (a few inches) 

Shale 33 

Coal, outcrop i 

Shale, dark and clayey ^ 1 

Shale, sandy 25 

Sandstone 86 

Shale, more or less sandy 45 

Coal, main Sewanee seam 3 to 7 

Shale, some of it sandy 33 

Coal, outcrop 1 

Shale 3 

Sandstone 17 

Conglomerate 70 

LOWER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Coal, outcrop i to 1 

Shale, overlaid with clay 10 

Sandstone, clifE rock 65 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 2,9 

Feet 

Coal, outcrop i to 1| 

Shale, with clay at top 8 

Sandy shale 23 

Sandstone, hard 78 

Coal, with occasional shale 1 to 3 

Sandstone, hard, local 20 

Shale, iucludini^ a thin sandstone 20 

Mountain limestone with archimedes 20 

Below the conglomerate, in the eastern and southeastern part of the 
Sewanee District, there are usually four seams of coal. In Franklin 
County and in the southern part of Grundy one seam disappears. In the 
northern part of Grundy and in Warren another seam is missing, and the 
thickness of the lower coal measure is reduced from 360 to fifty feet, ex- 
clusive of the conglomerate. The coal beds are very irregular in thick- 
ness, being often too thin to work profitably and in some places from 
three to nine feet thick. The aggregate amount of coal is very great 
and the quality good, and the extent coincides with the Sewanee Dis- 
trict. The conglomerate is the cover and protector of the lower coal 
measures, having saved them from denudation in past ages. The 
Tracy City coals belong to the upper coal measures ; those of Little Fierv 
Gizzard to the lower measures. On Crow, Battle and Little Sequatchie 
Creeks are important outcrops of the lower coals. On Cave Creek in 
Marion County, under the Cliff rock, a coal seam nine feet thick outcrops 
and near in the "pocket" is five feet thick. At the old Parmelee Bank 
it is from seven to nine feet thick. North of Tracy City only two coa' 
seams of the lower measures are usually found ; those near McMinnville 
are thin. In Bledsoe, Van Buren, Warren and Grundy they are thin with 
occasional thicker spots. The conglomerate is mainly the surface rock 
ti-om Tracy City to Alabama, and over this expanse only occasional knolls 
of the upper coal measures occur : one two miles west of Tracy City, an- 
other about half way between Tracy City and the Nashville & Chattanooga 
tunnel, and another just south of the lower mines. 

Southeast, east and northeast of Tracy City the ridges of the upper 
measures often appear. The main Sewanee coal in the vicinity of Tracy 
City is of good quality, semi-bituminous, and contains little pyrites. It 
is fragile pnd is usually a four or five foot bed, and is the most reliable 
one west of the Sequatchie Yalley. Other seams of the upper measures 
are found in the Sewanee District, but are not so valuable. 

The Eaccoon and Walden's Kidge District embraces the portion of the 
table-land east of Sequatchie Valley and the Crab Orchard Mountains, and 
extends from Alabama to the Emery Eiver in Morgan County, compris- 
ing parts of Marion, Sequatchie, Hamilton, Bledsoe, Ehea, Cumberland, 

2 



;0 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Roane and Morgan. At the Etna Mines and vicinity the Cliff rock be- 
/^omes a conglomerate, and the conglomerate (the cap of the lower meas- 
ures) becomes a sandstone. The following is the section at Etna 
Mines : 

UPPER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Sandstone, cap rock at Etna 75 

Shale 48 

Coal, good block and uniform 4 

Shale with occasional thin coal 30 to 40 

Coal with slate or shale 5 to 6 

Shale ' 44 

Coal, good block 2 to 3 

Fire clay 1 to 2 

Sandstone (Conglomerate of last table) 75 

Coal (few inches) 

Shale 30 to 40 

Coal (10 inches) 

Sandy shale 100 to 130 

Conglomerate (the cliff rock of the former table where it is 

classed with the lower coal measures) 70 to 100 

LOWER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Shale Oto 12 

Coal (main Etna or Cliff vein, most important bed in the 

Raccoon Mountains) average .' 3 

Fire clay with Stigmaria 1 to 3 

Shale 5 to 20 

Coal, thin i to 1 

Sandstone and sandy shale ~. 80 to 120 

Shale (?) Oto 5 

Coal ito3 

Fire clay to 2 

Sandy shale and sandstone 20 to 25 

Shale 15 to 20 

Coal Hto3 

Fire clay to 3 

Shales and shaly sandstones i. .80 to 150 

Mountain limestone not ascertained 

The above section is a typical exhibit of the measures of the Raccoon 
Mountain District. The upper measures are rich in coal, and it will be 
observed by comparison that there is one more coal seam in the lower 
measures than on the west slope of Sequatchie Valley, and the volume is 
much greater. The lower measures are well exhibited where me Ten- 
nessee River cuts through the AValden Range and are similar to the Etna 
measures. The four coals below the cliff rock outcrop on the slopes. 
Northward to the Emery River the sections above of the Sevvanee and 
Raccoon Districts may be taken a^ types of both the upper and lower 
measures. The main Sewanee is the principal coal, and numerous out- 
crops of the upper and lower measures occur on the eastern slope of the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 31 

table-land. The strata are often much disturbed, doubtless by volcanic 
forces. The following is the section where the Crossville & Kingston 
Road crosses Crab Orchard Range in Cumberland County : 

UPPER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Sandstone, probably 100 

Shale, doubtless with coal 25 to 50 

Sandstone 100 to 150 

Shale, probably with coal 60 

Sandstone 60 

Shale ' 50 

Coal, main Sewanee 4 

Fire clay 1 

Shale 30 to 40 

Conglomerate, caps the mountains 100 to 150 

LOWER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Shale, possibly with coal 15 

Sandstone ... 33 

Shale with light coal seams 110 

Sandstone 50 

Shale, with impure coal 20 

Mountain limestone not ascertained 

In this table the thicknesses are only approximately correct. Here 
the strata of the coal measures are folded in a great arch, and are missing 
at the summit, having been denuded by natural agencies. 

The northern coal district is made to embrace that part of the table- 
land lying north of Van Buren and Bledsoe Counties and west of the 
Crab Orchard range, and a line running through Montgomery and 
Huntsville, and within its limits are parts of White, Cumberland, Mor- 
gan, Putnam, Overton, Fentress, Pickett and Scott Counties. Here the 
top of the table-land is usually a flat surface, and back from the slopes 
appears an upper plateau. In the eastern portion of this area the Crab 
Orchard section above may be considered the type. On Clifty Creek in 
White County the following is the section: 

UPPER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Sandstone and conglomerate 65 

Shale to 13 

Coal, irregular i to 2 

Fire clay to 2 

Shale with sandy strata 60 

Fire clay with coal traces. (11 inches) 

Sandstone ..40 

Shale 20 

Fire clay with coal traces (11 inches) 

Sandy shale or sandstone 25 



32 HISTORY or TENNESSEE, 

Feet. 

Shale 53 

Coal 3 

Shale ....25 

Conglomerate 60 

LOWER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Shale with one or two seams of coal to 18 inches, in all 15 

Mountain limestone 40 

Calcareous shale not ascertained 

At other points in White County the lower measures are of greater 
importance. Generally the lower measures on the western slope of the 
table-land from Alabama to Kentucky present the same features, com- 
prising usually two, sometimes three to seven seams, often too thin for 
mining, but locally available and valuable. The measures under the con- 
glomerate in this portion of the table-land are similar to those on the 
western slope of the Sewanee District. In fact the measures are similar 
throughout the extent of the western slope and consist of shales and sand- 
stones and two, sometimes three, rarely more, seams of coal. Though 
often too thin for mining, they become thicker and valuable locally. In 
the valley of the Calfkiller, in Putnam County, the coals below the con- 
glomerate are often valuable and the general features in the counties of 
Putnam, Overton, Pickett, Fentress, Morgan and Scott are the same as 
above. Little extensive mining has been done in this part of the district, 
owing mainly to the lack of transportation. The following section from 
the mouth of Big Hurricane C:"eek, in Fentress County, is typical of the 
coal measures of the northern counties, 

UPPER COAL MEASURES, 

Feet. 

Conglomerate (overhanging cliffs) 40 

Shale, doubtless with coal 51 

Sandstone 6 

Shale, doubtless with coal 21 

Sandstone 46 

Shale, doubtless with coal 50 

Conglomerate (lower cliffs, main) 90 

LOWER COAL MEASURES. 

Feet. 

Coal, good block to 3 

Fire clay, shale and sandstone 4 

Shale with laj'crs of clay ironstones 25 to 30 

Mountain limestone 15 

Shales, marly and variegated 100 

The main conglomerate has always a coal horizon below^, consisting of 

shales and sandstones, and, when the cap rock of the upper plateaus is 

present, has one above. Outcrops of the lower measures at Buffalo Cave, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. ;{3 

Feutress County and near Jamestown show the coal below the conglomer- 
ate to be three to five feet thick, black, lustrous and excellent. Outcrops 
of the upper coals are not as numerous as of those below the main con- 
glomerate. Numerous banks of these coals have been opened, one at 
Little Laurel, Overton County, being four and a half feet thick and excel- 
lent. 

The northeaster!, district, embracing parts of the counties of Morgan, 
Anderson, Scott, Campbell and Claiborne, is traversed by numerous high 
ridges or mountains, in which are heavy developments of the coal depos- 
its, particularly the upper; and shales, coals and sandstones are piled 
up high above the conglomerate, which, elsewhere, is the surface rock. 
The carboniferous formation here is not far from 2,500 feet, and nowhere 
else in the State are there so many coal beds or such an aggregate mass 
of coal. The following is an estimated section at Cross Mountain, four 
miles northwest of Jacksborough. 

UPPEE COAL MEASURES. 

Ftet. 

Sandstone, cap of the mountains 100 

Shales and sandstones 249 

Coal, pure block, except a six-inch seam of black shale 6 

Shales and sandstones 357 

I Coal, excellent, possibly 6 feet 4 

Shale and sandstones 150 to 190 

Coal, outcrop 1 

Fire claj', shale and sandstones 262 to 323 

Coal, outcrop 1 

Shale 6 

Coal, outcrop, may be 6 feet 3 

Shales and sandstones 323 to 398 

Coal outcrop with shale three inches 3 

Shales and sandstones 260 to 290 

Coal '. 3 

Shales, slate and sandstones 170 

Coal, outcrop 1 

Fire clay and shale 9 

Coal with three-inch parting 5 

Fire clay, shale, black slate with Stigmaria, to foot of mountain 30 

The entire thickness of this section is about 2,100 feet, and an ag- 
gregate thickness of twenty-seven feet of coal is found. A section at 
Tellico Mountain shows about the same aggregate quantity of coal, 
several seams of which, with the conglomerate, appear in the upper part 
of Pine Mountain, caused by a fault in the strata. The Cross Moun- 
tain section above is typical of the measures of this district. Numerous 
banks have been opened, all presenting, in general, similar characteristics. 
Scores of banks could be profitably opened on Emery River. The coal 
of this division is usually very good block and is practicably inexhaust- 



34 HI«TOJRY OF TENNESSEE. 

ible. When railroads reach these valuable fields, future geuerations will 
receive the benefit. The coal of the Etna Mines contains 74.2 per cent 
of fixed carbon and 21.1 of volatile matter.* The Sewanee coal gives 62 
per cent of fixed carbon and 25.41 of volatile matter. The present pro- 
duction of coke is very great. 

Iron Ore. — The deposits of iron ore are of the greatest value. The 
outcrops where such deposits occur appear in three belts which have been 
named and described as folloAvs: The eastern iron region which extends 
through the State with and in front of the Unaka Raugfe; the Dye- 
stone region, which skirts the eastern base of Cumberland Table-land 
or Walden's Ridge from Virginia to Georgia, and extends laterally into 
the valley of East Tennessee from ten to twenty miles, and includes the 
Sequatchie and Elk Valleys; the western iron region, which occupies 
a belt of high lands contiguous to the western valley and a part of the 
valley itself, and extends from Kentucky to Alabama. 

The eastern region includes the counties of Johnson, Carter, Sul- 
livan, Washington, Greene, Cocke, Sevier, Bh^unt, Monroe, Polk and the 
entire eastern part of McMinu. In the valleys and coves of this vast 
region occur most of the iron ore deposits. The bottoms of the valleys 
are usually occupied by shales and slates and magnesian limestone of the 
Knox group, which have been so leached and weathered that ridges and 
knolls of clay, sand, chert and shaly debris or clay have been formed, and 
in these masses the iron ore has accumulated. Limonite, by far the most 
abundant ore of this region, contains, when pure, 59.92 per cent of 
metallic iron; 25.68 per cent of oxygen and 14.4 per cent of water. The 
source of limonite is the ferruginous chert of the lithostrotion bed. 
Practically the percentage of iron is less than 59.92 per cent owing to 
impurity. This ore occurs both as honey-comb and solid ore and some- 
times in ochi-eous and earthy combinations. It occurs in all sizes less 
than beds ten or fifteen feet in diameter. Generally the most important 
banks are on knolls, hills or ridges fifty to 200 feet high and often several 
miles long, and the deposits occur at intervals. The ores in Johnson, 
Carter and W^ashington Counties contain lead and zinc. These ores, in- 
cluding the iron, originated doubtless from the decomposed limestones 
which contain these elements. The iron ore is of excellent quality and 
the beds are so numerous that it is estimated that there is sufficient ore 
to supply an average of three or four extensive works to each of the 
counties named for a long period of years. Hematite contains 70 per 
cent of iron and 30 per cent of oxygen. Impurities reduce the amount 
of iron. The hard, solid ore of this division occurs only in a few places 

♦Analysis by Prof. Pohle, of New York City. 



HISTOBY OF TENNESSEE. 35 

and in a regular, solid bed. The ore in more or less magnetic and ex- 
cellent. The Dyestone ore is a stratified fossiliferous iron rock and is 
composed of flattened oiHitic or rounded grains and frequently contains 
crinoidal buttons. Magnetite, -when pure, contains 72.4 per cent of iron 
and and 27.6 of oxygen. It is a very rare ore, one bed being in Cocke 
and another in Carter County. It is associated with Saliliie and decom- 
posing gneissoid rocks and occurs in irregular layers, patches and wedge- 
shaped masses in the metamorphic group. 

On the west side of the valley of East Tennessee is the Dyestone iron 
region, which includes a portion or all of the following counties: Han- 
cock, Claiborne, Grainger, Campbell, Anderson, Roane, Rhea, Meigs, 
Hamilton, Marion, Sequatchie and Bledsoe. The ore is a distinctly strati- 
fied red iron stone, a variety of hematite, generally soils the fingers, but 
is sometimes quarried in blocks. It is highly fossiliferous and upon ex- 
posure becomes brownish red, though almost scarlet when first mined. 
This is the main ore of this region and its impurities are sandy and ar- 
gillaceous matters and carbonate of lime. Numerous banks have been 
opened. Limonite to a limited extent is found in this region. The 
mountain ridge containing the Dyestone ore is 150 miles long and its 
average thickness is over 20 inches. Upon the Cumberland Table-land 
occur a few beds of clay ironstones. This ore is an impure carbonate of 
iron and contains 41.25 percent of metallic iron, 11.78 of oxygen, 35.17 
carbonic acid and 11.8 of water, etc. Practically 30 to 33 per cent of 
iron is obtained. It occurs in nodules and balls and is limited in quan- 
tity. Black band ironstone and limonite are also found scattered over 
the table-land. 

The western iron region includes part *)r all of the following coun- 
ties: Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, Lewis, Perry, Decatur, Hickman, 
Humphreys, Benton, Dickson, Montgomery and Stewart. The belt is 
about fifty miles wide and over the entire extent more or less ore occurs. 
There appear centers where heavy deposits of great value and extent are 
found. These banks have a high position on the tops or edges of plateau 
ridges, and owe their origin very probably to the remains of decomposed 
sandstones before the Central Basin or the valley of West Tennessee was 
excavated. The banks are from a few feet to 100 feet. Limonite is al- 
most the only ore, though hematite occurs near Clifton, in Wayne County. 
Limonite occurs in irregular lumps or hollow concretions called "pots" 
scattered through the matrix of the debris of the strata of the siliceous 
group, consisting of angular fragments of half decomposed and often 
bleached chert and soft sandstones imbedded in clay. This is the bed of 
the ore. The varieties of this ore are called compact, honey-comb, pot 



36 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and pipe ores and oclier, the first tliree being common. The pots vary in 
size from an orange to tAvo feet in diameter. Pipe ore is worked in Stew- 
art County. It is estimated that the best banks furnish one-fourth to 
one-third of the mass removed in iron ore. Its occurrence in banks is 
irregular — sometimes in pockets, beds, veins, strata, columns, or isolated 
masses often ten to twenty feet through. Some masses furnish scores of 
tons of ore. The beds of Hickman are most extensive and A'aluable and 
more than twenty banks have been opened. Those of Dickson and Stew- 
art are next valuable. On the eastern rim of the basin in the counties 
of "White, Warren, Putnam and Overton, corresponding with the deposits 
of the western belt, limonite of good quality is found. The percentage 
of pure iron varies from 44: to about 60. 

i^oss//.s.— The paleontological features are characteristic and import- 
ant. Every formation considered in this chapter, except the Unaka, 
contains fossils, often large, finely preserved and beautiful. As every 
formation contains, in the main, its own fossils, they become an import- 
ant factor in identifying the strata. The most fruitful source of fossils 
in this State are the Trenton and Nashville groups. The following is a 
list of the genera: Buthotrephis, Stromatopora, Stenopora, Constellaria, 
Tetradium, Columnaria, Petraia, Cleiocrinus, Dendocrinus, Glyptocrinus, 
Palseocrinus, Petraster, Ptilodictia, Ketepora, Graptolithus, Liei^tsena, 
Strophomena, Orthis, Skenidium, Ehynchonella, Triplesia, Avicula, Am- 
bonychia, Crytodonta, Ctenodonta, Modiololopsis, Holopea, Cyclonema, 
Subulites, Eunema, Helicotoma, Maclurea, Trochonema, Pleurotomaria, 
Murchisonia, Crytolites, Bellerophon, Carinaropsis, Clioderma, Conularia, 
Salterella, Orthoceras, Cyrtoceras, Lituites, Trocholites, Asaphus, Caly- 
mene, Cheirurus, Encrinurus, Illaenus, Liclias, Phacops, Dalmanites and 
Leperditia. Many of these are represented by a half dozen or more 
species. In the Niagara group occur the following genera: Astylo- 
spongia, Pahieomanon, Artrteospongia, Stenopora, Thecoistegites, Thecia, 
Heliolites, Plasmopora, Halysites, Favosites, Cyathophyllum, Petraia, 
Aulopora, Alveolites, Cladopora, Fenestella, Caryocrinus, Apiocystites, 
Pentatrematites, Saccocrinus, Platycrinus, Lampterocrinus, Cytocriniis, 
Eucatyptocrinus, Coccocrinus, Synbathocrinus, Posteriocrinus, Gysto- 
crinus, Haplocrinus, Calceola, Strophomena, Streptorhynchus, Orthis, 
Spirifer, Atrypa, Pentamerus, Athyris, Ehynchonella, Platyostoma, Platy- 
ceras, Cyclonema, Orthoceras, Ceraurus, Sphterexochus, Dal mania, Caly- 
mene and Bumastus. In the Lower Helderberfj formation the followincr 
are found: Anisophyllum, Favosites, Apiocystites, Leptaena, Stropho- 
mena, Strophodonta, Orthis, Spirifer, Trematospira, Nucleospira, lihynch- 
ospira, Leptocoelia, Pvhynchonella, Atrypa, Merista, Camarium, Eatonia,, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 37 

Pentamerus, Platyostoma, Platyceras, Phacops, Dolmauia and Dalmania. 
Ill the Lower Carboniferous formation are found the following genera: 
Spirifer, Orthis, Platyceras, Granatocrinus, Agaricocrinus, Actinocrinus, 
Cyathocrinus, Icthiocrinus, Lithostrotion, Zaphrentis, Pentremites, Dic- 
cliorinus, Melonites, Hemipronites, Retzia, Rhynchonella, Productus, 
Conularia, Astrasa, Archimedes, Atliyris, Terebratula, Aspidodus, Clay- 
dodus and a few others. The Green Sand of West Tennessee, famous 
for its beds of fossil shells, contains the following genera so far noticed 
and named: Platytroehus, Corbula, Crassatella, Astarte, Yenilia, Car- 
dium, Trigonia, Area, Nucula, Cucullcea, Ctenoides, Pacten, Neithea, 
Ostrea, Oxogyra, Graphs, Anomia, Placunanomia, Scalaria, Natica, 
Volutilithes, Rapa, Auchura, Baculites, Enchodus, Sphymena, Ischyrhiza, 
Teredo, Serpula, Rostellaria, Fusus, Turritella and Delphinula. In the 
Ripley group are the following : Corbula, Venus, Crassatella, Cardita, 
Leda, Modiola, Ostrea, Gryplioea, Turritella, Natica, Fasciolaria, Nep- 
tunea, Callianassa, Lamna and crocodilus. In the Bluff loam of West 
Tennessee are Helix, Planorbis, Cyclas, Amnicola, Lymnea, Succinea. 
In the Knox group are Crepiceplialus. Lonchocephalus, Agnostus, Ling- 
ula and Pleurotomaria. 

The fossil fauna of Tennessee are distinct and characteristic of the 
strata containing them. In the main Sewanee and Jackson coal horizon 
occur the following: Neuropteris, Hymenophyllites, Alethopteris, Aster- 
ophyllites, Calamities, Stigmaria, Sigillaiia, Syrigodendron, Lepidoden- 
dron, Lepidostrobus, Trigonocarpum and Rhabdocarpus, and in the main 
Etna Sphenopteris, Hymenophyllites and Lepidodendron, and at the 
base of the coal measures on the Sewanee Railroad the fossil nut: 
Trigonocarpon. Wood and leaves are found in the Ripley group in 
West Tennessee. In the Orange sand appear the following genera: 
Quercus, Laurus, Prunus, Andromeda, Sapotacites, Eljeagnus, Salix, Jug- 
laus, Fagus and Ceanothus. On the west side have been found bones of 
the extinct Mastodon, Megalonyx, Castor and Castoroides. 

Meiols. — Copper ore is found at Ducktown. The siirface of the coun- 
try is rolling, and is about 2,000 feet above the sea. Ocoee River crosses 
this area. The rocks are talcose, chlorite and mica slates, and dip at 
high angles to the southeast. The ore deposits are great lenticular masses 
of metal and gangue material, occurring in long ranges or belts, which . 
have been improperly termed veins. These dip at high angles, and upon 
the surface is gossan, and below it about ten feet are the black copper 
ores, and further down are other zones containing more or less copper. 
Numerous mines have been opened since the discovery of copper in 1843. 
The ores and minerals found are as follows: Copper pyrites, iron pyrites, 



38 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

magnetic pyrites, copper glauce, zinc blende, galena, orthoclase, albite, 
tremolite, actinolite, diallage, zoisite, calcite, quartz, rutile, garnet, allo- 
phane, alisonite, bornite, red copper, malacliite, azurite, copperas, blue- 
stone, black oxide (very valuable), native copper, harrisite, ralitite, limo- 
nite (gossan). Millions of dollars worth of copper ore have been taken 
out and shipped away. 

Nearly every county in East Tennessee contains galenite in small 
quantities. In Claiborne and Union Counties it occurs particularly 
abundant. In the latter county, on PowelFs Eiver, between Tazewell and 
Jacksborough, about sixteen miles from Tazewell, is one of the richest 
mines. The vein fills a nearly vertical fissure about twenty inches wide, 
in nearly horizontal rocks, and can be traced nearly a mile. The galenite 
is associated with zinc blende and pyrite, and occurs in sheets, two or 
more, having an aggregated thickness of five to ten inches. This mine is 
typical of the others. Near Charleston galenite was mined by the earlier 
races, probably Mound-Builders. Veins of galenite occur also in Middle 
Tennessee, but are of little importance. An important one occurs in 
Davidson County, near Haysborough, occurring in a gangue of barite. 
Galenite has also been found among the limestones of West Tennessee. 
Smithsonite and calamite, two zinc ores, occur in deposits and irregular 
veins in the dolomites of the Knox group, the most important being in 
Union, Claiborne and Jefferson Counties. The Steiner locality in Union 
County is important. The ore outcrops in a belt fifty or sixty feet wide, 
and runs across a low ridge. Through this ore small veins of Smithsonite 
and calamite ramify. Gold occurs in East Tennessee in the sands and 
gravels of creeks which flow over the metamorphic slates of the Ocoee 
group, and could doubtless be found in the quartz veins of the same group. 
It has been found in Blount, Monroe and Polk Counties. The most has 
been found on Coca Creek and vicinity, in Polk County, in a tract eight 
or ten miles long by two or tliree wide. Gold was first discovered in 
1831. Soon afterward the field was tlioroughly explored, and up to 1853 
$-16,023 in gold of this locality was deposited in the United States Mint. 
This gold is derived from the decomposed quartz veins, and has been 
washed into creek valleys. A quartz bearing gold has lately been found in 
AVhip-poor-will Creek, the metal appearing in grains or scales in the quartz. 

Lignite is found in beds in the Mississippi bluffs, and is a mass of 
dark grayish, laminated, micaceous sand, with lignitic, woody fragments, 
sticks, leaves, etc. It is also found in Carter County and a few other 
places. (Jrude petroleum and allied substances have been worked with 
profit in various places in Tennessee. Maury, Jackson, Overton, Dickson, 
Wilson, Montgomery, Hickman and other counties furnish it. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 39 

The black shale is a great source of these oils, the richest producing 
from thirty to forty gallons of oil to the ton. The Spring Creek, Over- 
ton County, wells have yielded most. Thousands of barrels of crude 
petroleum have been pumped, salt mines have been worked on Calfkiller 
Creek, and in Anderson, Warren, Van Bm-en, Overton, Jackson and else- 
where. Sulphur springs occur in some localities. Nitre is found in the 
numerous caves of the limestones of tlie table-land. Alum is obtained 
from the black shale, Epsom salts is found in the caves. Gypsum ap- 
pears in several caves. Barite is found. Copperas was formerly exten- 
sively madefi'om the protoxide of iron (pyrites) thrown out at the Duck- 
worth copper mines, also sulphate of copper. Iron pyrites is often found. 
Black manganese is often found associated with limonite. 

Marble. — The marbles are very valuable, and are already a great 
source of wealth. They have been divided as follows: 1, reddish varie- 
gated fossilif erous marble ; 2, whitish variegated f ossilif erous marble ; 3, 
dull, variegated magnesian marble ; 4, black and dark-blue marbles ; 5, 
breccia and conglomerate marbles. The first is the most important and 
occurs in East, Middle and West Tennessee. Beds have been opened in 
Henry County, also in Benton and Decatur. In Franklin County are ex- 
tensive beds. In White County a clouded white marble is obtained. In 
the valley of East Tennessee the reddish marble occurs in Hawkins, Han- 
cock, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Roane, Blount, Monroe, McMinn and 
Bradley, and to a more limited extent in Meigs, Anderson, Union and 
Campbell. It has been extensively quarried, and is a variegated crin- 
oidal and coralline limestone colored grayish-white or brownish-red and 
.sometimes pinkish or greenish-red. The most common color is brownish- 
red more or less mottled with white or gray clouds or spots, due to corals. 
Large quantites are mined and shipped. It possesses great properties 
of weather durability and resistance to pressui*e. The whitish marble is 
a coralline, sparry gray-whitish rock, much of the white ground being 
mottled with pink or reddish spots. There is no superior building stone 
in the State than this variety. The other varieties are rarer, but all are 
good. From the gneiss and white quartz stones of the metamorphic 
group excellent mill-stones are obtained. The chert of the Knox dolo- 
mite furnishes fine mill-stones. The Ocoee group produces the best 
roofing slates. Hydraulic limestone and fire-clay abound. Sulphur, 
chalybeate, Epsom and alum springs abound. Sulphur springs originate 
in the black shale. 

Temperature. — It has been found, through many years' observation, 
that the mean annual temperature of the Valley of East Tennessee is about 
57 degrees, of the Central Basin 58, and of West Tennessee 59^ to GO de- 



40 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

V 

grees, through the central part of the State, east and west. The average 
annual minimum temperature of Middle Tennessee is 2 degrees, and the 
average maximum temperatui-e about 94 degrees. The average length of 
the growing season, between the last killing frost of spring and the first 
of autumn, is about 194 days. In East Tennessee it is a few days less. 
Southerly winds are most prevalent, then northerly, and easterly and 
westerly about the same. The quantity of rain and melted snow varies 
annually from 43 to 55 inches. These estimates are the best that can be 
given from the limited observations made in the past. 

Elevations. — The principal elevations above the sea are as follows, in 
feet: Stone Mountain range — Cat Face Mountain, 4,913; State Gap, 
3,400 ; Taylorsville, 2,395 ; State line in Watauga Valley, 2,131 ; Yellow and 
Eoane range — Yellow Mountain, 5,158 ; Little Yellow, 5,196 ; Roane — Cold 
Spring, 6,132"; Grassy Ridge Bald, 6,230; High Knob, 6,306; High 
Bluff, 6,296 ; Bald Mountain range — -Bald Mountain, 5,550 ; Jonesborough, 
1734; Big Butt range — highest points over 5,000 feet; Greenville depot, 
1,581; Great Smoky range — Warm Springs, N. C, 1,335; piazza of 
hotel, Tennessee line on French Broad, 1,264; Indian Grove Gap, 4,288; 
Man Patch Ga].), 4,392; Bear Wallow Mountain, 4,659; Luftee Knob, 
6,238; Thermometer Knob, 6,157; Raven's Knob, 6,230; Tricorner Knob, 
6,188; Mount Guyot, 6,636; Mount Henry, 6,373; Mount Alexander, 
6,447; South Peak, 6,299; highest peak of Three Brothers, 5,907; Thun- 
der Knob, 5,682; Laurel Peak, 5,922; Reinhardt Gap, 5,220; top of 
Richland Ridge, 5,492; Indian Gap, 5,317; Pack's Peak, 6,232; Mount 
Ocona, 6,135; New Gap, 5,096; Mount Mingus, 5,694; Bullhead group 
— Mount Le Coute (central peak), 6.612; Mount Curtis (west peak), 
6,568; Mount Safford, 6,535; Cross Knob, 5,931; Neighbor, 5,771; 
Master Knob, 6,013; Tomahawk Gap, 5,450; Alum Cave, 4,971; Rood 
Gap, 5,271; Mount Collins, 6,188; Collins' Gap, 5,720; Mount Love, 
6,443; Clingman 8 Dome, 6,660; Mount Buckley, 6,599; Chimzey Knob, 
5,588; Big Stone Mountain, 5,614; Big Cherry Gap, 4,838; Corner 
Knob, 5,246; Forney Ridge Peak, 5,087; Snaky Mountain, 5,195; Thun- 
derhead Mountain, 5,520; Eagletop, 5,433; Spence Cabin, 4,910; 
Turkey Knob, 4,740; Opossum Gap, 3,840; North Bald, 4,711; Central 
Peak of Great Bald, 4,922; South Peak, 4,708; Tennessee River at 
Hardin's, 899; Chilhowee Mountain, 2,452; Montvale Springs, 1,293; 
between Little Tennessee and Hiwassee — Hangover Knob, over 5,300; 
Haw Knob, over 5,300; Beaver Dam or Tellico Bald, 4,266; south of 
the Hiwassee the elevation of the chain is reduced to 3,000 to 3,400 
feet; Frog Mountain is about 4,226 feet; the Ducktown copper region is 
about 2,000 feet high. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 41 

Along the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway the eleva- 
tions are as follows: Bristol, 1,678; Union, 1,457; Carter, 1,474; John- 
son's, 1,643; summit between Chucky and Watauga, 1,841; Jones- 
borough, 1,736; Limestone, 1,419; FuUens, 1,489; Greeneville, 1,381; 
Bull's Gap, 1,214; Russellville, 1,260; Morristown, 1,283; Strawberry 
Plains, 906; Knoxville, 898; Loudon, 819; Athens, 993; Hiwassee 
Eiver at low water, 684; Cleveland, 878; State line between Tennessee 
and Georgia, 837; also Clinton, 847; Chattanooga, railroad grade, 675; 
Tennessee River at Chattanooga, 642; Cumberland Gap, 1,636; Pinna- 
cle (near gap), 2,680; Elk Gap (surface), 1,702; Cross Mountain Point, 
3,370; Gap, 2,875; Cove Creek, 1,041; average bottom of Elk Fork 
Valley, 1,200; Pine Mountain, 2,200 to 2,400; Tellico Mountain, 2,000 to 
2,700; Crab Orchard Mountain, about 3,000; flat summit of Lookout 
Mountain, 2,154; Raccoon Mountain, back of Whiteside depot, 1,900; 
Tracy City, 1,847; highest ridges near Tracy City, 2,161; summit of 
Ben Lomond, 1,910; Tullahoma (grade), 1,070; creek at Manchester, 
996; McMinville (depot), 912; Sparta, station, 945; Livingston, station, 
966; Hickory Nut Mountain, about 1,400; Murfreesboro depot, 583; 
Nashville depot grade, 435. Nashville, low water in Cumberland, 365 ; 
Springfield grade, 659; Gallatin surface, 528; Franklin depot, 642; 
Columbia depot, 657; Mount Pleasant (creek), ()25; Palo Alto, 1,025; 
Pulaski, 648 ; Kingston Station, 506 ; highest point on the railroad west 
fi'om Nashville to the Tennessee River, 915; lowest point on the grade at 
the Tennessee River, 368; Grand Junction on the west side, 575; Middle- 
ton, 407; Moscow, 351; Germantowu, 378, Memphis, 245; low water of 
the Mississippi at Memphis, 170 ; Obion River on the Ohio & Mississippi 
Railroad (grade), 287; Bolivar, 430; Medon, 420; Jackson, 459. 



42 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 



CHAPTER II. 

The Mound-Buildees— Etidences of Pre- Historic Occupation— Arguments 
OF Bancroft and Hildreth— Deductions of Judge Haywood— Com- 
parison OF Ancient Races and Customs— The Sun Worshipers— The 
Natchez Tribe — Classification of Earthworks — Representative 
Mounds of Tennessee -The "Stone Fort "—Contents of the Works— 
Their Great Age. 

AT the time of the discovery of the present State of Tennessee by 
white people, the larger part of it, as well as the larger part of the 
State of Kentucky, was unoccupied by any Indian tribe. The reason of 
this state of things will appear as the reader proceeds. But althougli 
then unoccupied there were found abundant evidences not only of the 
former presence of Indian tribes but of a still more dense and ancient 
population, possessing a higher degree of civilization, a more highly de- 
veloped condition of art, agriculture, warfare and religion, than anjihing 
of the kind pertaining to any of the aboriginal or Indian tribes, as they are 
called. These evidences consist of mounds of various shapes and kinds, 
of fortifications and of burying-grounds, of their contents, relics and re- 
mains still to be found throughout the valley of the Mississippi, and of 
the valleys of its tributaries from the Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains, 
and from the Gulf of Mexico to the great lakes, all of which relics and re- 
mains will be appropriately noticed in the proper connection. But from 
the existence and frequency of the occurrence of these mounds, the origin 
and history of which were at least as inexplicable to the aboriginal Iiultan 
tribes, as to their more intelligent and inductive successors, their erectors 
and constructors for want of a better name, have been by American histor- 
ians generally called the "Mound Builders." 

The most conspicuous exception to this rule is the venerable Bancroft, 
whose opinions, even if occasionally erronous, are eminently worthy of 
profound respect. To the historian and especially to the antiquarian, 
even if in less degree to the general student and reader, is the inquiry 
pertinent as to the origin of the first inhabitants of America. Bancroft 
many years ago wrote : " To aid this inquiry the country east of the Missis- 
sippi has no monuments. The numerous mounds which have been discov- 
ered in the alluvial valleys of the West, have by some been regarded as the 
works of an earlier and more cultivated race of men, whose cities have been 
laid waste, whose language and institutions have been destroyed, or driven 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 43 

away ; but the s-tudy of the structure of the earth strips this imposing theory 
of its marvels. Where imagination fashions relics of artificial walls, geol- 
ogy sees but crumbs of decaying sandstone, clinging like the remains of 
mortar to blocks of green stone that rested on it ; it discovers in parallel in- 
trenchments, a trough that subsiding waters have ploughed through the 
center of a ridge ; it explains the tessellated pavement to be but a layer of 
pebbles aptly joined by water ; and, on examining the mounds, and finding 
them composed of different strata of earth, arranged horizontally to the 
very edge, it ascribes their creation to the Power that shaped the globe 
into vales and hillocks. When the waters had gently deposited their al- 
luvial burden on the bosom of the earth it is not strange that of the fan- 
tastic forms shaped by the eddies, some should resemble the ruins of a 
fortress ; that the channel of a torrent should seem even like walls that 
connected a town with its harbor ; that natural cones should be esteemed 
monuments of inexplicable toil. But the elements as they crumble the 
mountain, and scatter the decomposed rocks, do not measure their action 
as men measure the labor of their hands. The hunters of old, as more 
recently the monks of La Trappe, may have selected a mound as the site 
of their dwellings, the aid to their ruvTo fortifications, their watch-towers 
for gaining a vision of God, or more frequently than all as their burying 
places. Most of the northern tribes, perhaps all, preserved the bones of 
their fathers ; and the festival of the dead was the greatest ceremony of 
Western faith. When Nature has taken to herself her share in the con- 
struction of the symmetrical hillocks, nothing will remain to warrant the 
inference of a high civilization that has left its abodes or died away — of 
an earlier acquaintance with the arts of the Old World. That there have 
been successive irruptions of rude tribes may be inferred from the insulated 
fragments of nations which are clearly distinguished by their language. 
The mounds in the valley of the Mississippi have also been used ; the smal- 
ler ones perhaps, have been constructed as burial places of a race, of which 
the peculiar organization, as seen in the broader forehead, the larger fac- 
ial angle, the less angular figure of the orbits of the eye, the more narrow 
nose, the less evident projection of the jaws, the smaller dimensions of the 
palatine fossa, the flattened occiput, bears a surprisingly exact resem- 
blance to that of tlie race of nobles who sleep in the ancient tombs of 
Peru. Eetaining the general characteristics of the red race, they differ 
obviously from the present tribes of Miamis and Wyandots. These 
moldering bones from hillocks which are crowned by trees that have de- 
fied the storms of many centuries, raise bewildering visions of migrations 
of which no tangible traditions exist; but the graves of earth from which 
they are dug, and the feeble fortifications that are sometimes found in 



44 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the vicinity, afford no special evidence of early connection with other 
continents. 'Among the more ancient works,' says a careful observer, 
who is not disposed to undervalue the significancy of these silent monu- 
ments, near which he dwells, and which he has carefully explored, ' there 
is not a single edifice nor any ruins which prove the existence in former 
ages of a building composed of imperishable materials. No fragpient of 
a column, nor a brick, nor a single hewn stone large enough to have been 
incorporated into a wall, has been discovered. The only relics which re- 
main to inflame curiosity are composed of earth.' Some of the tribes had 
vessels made of clay; near Natchez an image was found of a siibstance 
not harder than clay dried in the sun. These few memorials of other 
days may indicate revolutions among the barbarous hordes of the Ameri- 
cans themselves; they cannot solve for the inquirer the problem of their 
origin." 

Thus Bancroft while denying the general proposition that there was 
in the Mississippi Valley anteriorly to its occupation by Indians, a race 
of Mound Builders, as that term is generally understood, yet admits that 
there may have been a race who may have constructed the smaller mounds, 
as burial places, and Avhose general physical characteristics bore a strik- 
ingly exact resemblance to that of the race of nobles who sleep in the 
ancient tombs of Peru. But other authorities, notably Winchell, the 
author of "Preadamites," hold, from the evidences which they have accu- 
mulated, that not only was the entire Mississippi Valley inhabited by an 
agricultural population of greater or less density, but such population 
possessed an entirely different physical structure and entirely different 
habits and civilization than these possessed by the Indian tribes. If 
the latter were the descendants of the earlier race of Mound Builders suf- 
ficient time elapsed between them to change the stature, cranial develop- 
ment and pursuits. It is well established that, while the Indians pro- 
fessed ]io knowledge of the construction of the greater number of the 
mounds, they themselves built them for probably the same purpose as the 
Mound Builders. 

Another celebrated American historian, Hildreth, expresses himself 
with reference to the inferences to be drawn from the existence of the 
mounds in the following language : "These memorials consist of embank- 
ments of earth and stone exhibiting indisputable evidence of design and 
were sometimes of very great extent. Some of them were located along the 
brows of hills or upon the precipitous edges of ravines enclosing consid- 
erable table-land, and were evidently designed as works of defense. Others 
still more numerous, extensive and elaborate were most probably con- 
nected with religious ideas. In various places they present curious basso- 




//'^ :. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 45 

reliei'os, birds, beasts, reptiles and even men; more generally enclosures 
of various sorts, perfect circles or squares and parallel lines of great 
extent, the embankments being from five to thirty feet in height, and the 
enclosures fi'om one to fifty or even to four hundred acres; other classes 
of structures connected with or separate from those just mentioned, 
increasing in number toward the south, conical and pyramidal structures, 
from a few yards to hundreds in diameter and from ten to ninety feet in 
height occasionally terraced like the Mexican teocallis. Some of these 
were for sepulchral purposes, others were doubtless mounds of sacrifice. 
Connected with these ancient monuments are found remnants of pottery, 
and weapons and utensils of stone, axes and ornaments of copper; but 
nothing which indicates a higher civilization than that possessed by the 
Indians. Yet the extent and number of these earth erections, of which 
there are but few traces east of the AUeghanies, which region was the 
most populous when discovered by Europeans, evinces the combined labor 
of many hands, of a kind of which no trace has ever been found among 
the aboriginal tribes." 

All Avriters on American antiquities infer fi-om the existence of these 
antiquities the existence of a race of Mound Builders. Accepting this 
conclusion as settled there still remain the puzzling problems as to 
whence they came, how long they remained and when and whither they 
went. Other authors, besides Judge Haywood, have made strong attempts 
at a solution from the scanty evidence at hand. His attempt, though 
exceedingly interesting and ingenious, lias not been generally recognized 
as final. He labors assiduously to sliow various similarities between the 
Hindoos and Egyptians, and then to show the similarities between Mexi- 
cans and Peruvians and the Hindoos and Persians. All of these nations 
called their rulers the children of the sun. The Mexicans and Hindoos 
both divided the people into four castes. The state of property was also 
the same in Persia, Egypt and Peru, one-third set apart as sacred to the 
God they worshiped, one-third to the sovereign and one-third to the 
people. The religion of the Mexicans and of the Hindoos was also similar. 
The Hindoos have a irimurti consisting of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. 
From Hindostan this idea or conception of a triune God traveled into 
Egypt, and thence to the Hebrew nation, Greece and Rome, and if the 
same deified trinity be found in America it is legitimate to refer it to the 
same Hindoo origin, at least until a better be assigned. * 

The representations of the Mexican god Hialzettipocli very strikingly 
resemble that of the Hindoo god Krishna. The masque of the Mexican 
priest is represented in Mexico. He is drawn as sacrificing a human 
victim, a sacrifice which all worshipers of the sun everywhere make. 

3 



40 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The masque represents an elephant's trunk, similar to the head so often 
seen portrayed in Hindostan. As no elephants exist in America it is 
reasonable to conclude that the 'design was brought from Asia. Various 
coincidences are seized upon to show the possible derivation of the relig- 
ion of the Mexicans from that of the Hindoos. Among the latter the 
conch shell is used as a symbolical representation of Vishnu, and also in 
the worship of that deity. The conch shell is similarly used by the Mex- 
icans in their worship of the god of the ocean, which they adore equally 
with the sun. And the little conch shells found in the graves of the 
ancient inhabitants of the Mississippi Valley indicate similar religious 
belief and ceremonies. Multitudinous ablutions are alike used by both. 
The sacred buildings of the Mexicans are similar to the same buildings, 
and the pyramids of Egypt and India and the temple of Belus. The 
tower of Babel and the great temple of Mexico Avere each dedicated to 
two divinities. The similarity of the construction of the pyramids of 
Mexico is worthy of notice, those in both countries being square and so 
built as to almost exactly face the four cardinal points of the compass; 
those in Egpyt being precisely coincident with the true meridian, and 
those in Mexico varying only by fifty-two seconds of arc. The cosmical 
history of the Mexicans is the same as that of the Hindoos, both believ- 
ing, to illustrate, that the world Avould be destroyed by a general confla- 
gration, and mankind having all derived it from the prophecy of Noah.* 
The vernacular customs of both Hindoos and Mexicans were the same 
both as to those relative to religion and as to those relating to the com- 
mon concerns of life. The titles the sun, the brother of the sun, the chil- 
dren of the sun, were given to the princes of Peru and of Mexico and of 
the Natchez, and are the same as those anciently given to the princes of 
Persia, India, Ceylon and China. The Mexican year consisted of 365 
days, six hours, and the day began with the rising of the sun, as was like- 
wise the case with the Persians and Egpytians, as well as the greater j)art 
of the nations of Asia. The Egyptians did not know of the year consist- 
ing of 365 days in the time of Moses nor until 1322 B. C. In the time 
of Plato, 384 B. C, they discovered that a year consists of 365 days, six 
hours. The people of America called the constellation now universally 
known as the Great Bear by a name which signifies the bear, a name first 
given to this constellation by the Egpytians and some Asiatic people. 
Such facts as these afford indxibitable proof that the astronomy of the 
Mexicans was not of their own invention, but was learned by them from 
the countries wlience they immigrated. They also were familiar with 
certain Scriptural traditions ; as the fall of man, and the connection of the 

•Genesis ix: 11 to 15. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 47 

serpent with tliat fall ; of a great flood overwhelming the earth from which 
only a single family escaped, and also of a great pyramid erected by the 
pride of man, and destroyed by the auger of the gods. But they have 
no tradition of any thing that occurred on the eastern side of the Atlantic 
Ocean later than the building of the tower of Babel. The Mexicans 
therefore could not have learned them from the writings of Moses or they 
would also have known of the history of Abraham and of the Israelites 
as well as of the facts to which such traditions relate. Hence they must 
have left the Old World before the writings of Moses came into exist- 
ence, or they must have lived for a time in some part of Asia, where, on 'j 
account of the prevailing idolatry, the writings of Moses could not pene- w 
trate, but yet where they had access to the astronomical learning of the ^f 
Chaldeans after 384 B. C. ^ 

At the time of Moses all . the civilized nations of Asia worshiped the ^ 
sun, as the numerous places named Baal with an affix abuudgintly testify, "^ 
as Baalath, Baalpeor, etc., and so far were his many and earnest injunc- -^ 
tions from subduing their disposition to this worship, that even Solomon, i 
who lived 500 years after Moses' time, and who was the wisest of princes, 
embraced the idolatrous worship of the sun. It is fair to presume that 
sun-worshipers follow the same customs all over the world. Sun-wor- 
shipers, wherever they are known to practice this form of idolatry, build 
high places, enclosing them in open courts, and upon these high places 
erect houses for their idols, placing the idols within the houses. Upon 
these high places they burnt incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to 
the planets and to the hosts of heaven. Upon these high places they 
made sacrifices of human beings, even of their sons and daughters, to the 
sun, and made their children pass through the fire to their idols. In 
Scotland a ceremony used to be celebrated on the 1st of May (O. S. ), 
the inhabitants of a district assembling in the field, digging out a square 
trench, in which they built a fire and baked a cake, and then cutting the 
cake into as many pieces as there were persons, and blacking one with 
charcoal, all were thrown into a bag, out of which each person, blind- 
folded, drew a piece, the one drawing the black piece was sacrificed to 
Baal (some say made to leap through the fire three times) to propitiate 
him for the coming year. This is the same ceremony as was practiced 
by Manasseh, the sixteenth King of Judah, who made his sons pass 
through the fire to Moloch. Certain worshipers of the sun kept the 
festival of Tammuz, at the time of the summer solstice, the same time at 
which the southern Indians celebrated the green corn dance 

The Mexicans had pikes pointed with copper which appeared to have 
been hardened with an amalgam of tin, and they had among them car- 



48 " HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 

penters, masons, weavers and founders. The Peruvians used mattocks of 
hardened wood and bricks dried in the sun. They had the art of smelt- 
ing ore. and of refining silver, of which they made domestic utensils. 
They had also hatchets of copper made as hard as iron, but they did 
not worship idols. They carried the idols of the people they conquered 
to their temple of the sun at Cusco. Hence the mounds upon which 
images have been found in the Mississippi Valley can not be ascribed to 
the Peruvians. The question remains, can they be ascribed to the Mex- 
icans or to a similar race? 

All the nations west of the Mississippi when they first became known 
to Europeans were worshipers of the sun, and were governed by despotic 
princes — two prominent circumstances in which they differed fi'om the 
Indians who lived on the Great Lakes and on the east side of the AUe- 
ghanies. At this time the Natchez tribe of. Indians occupied almost the 
entire eastern part of the Mississippi Valley south of the Ohio River, and 
a portion of that north of this river, and most of tlie mounds Avere the 
limits of their settlements. They^were governed by one man who styled 
himself the child of the sun, or the sun, and upon his breast was the 
image of that luminary. His wife was called the wife of the sun, and 
like him was clothed with absolute authority. When either of these rul- 
ers died, the guards killed themselves in order to 'attend them in the other 
world. They had one temple for the entire nation and when on one occa- 
sion it caught fire, some mothers threw their children into the flames to 
st-^p their progress. Some families were considered noble and enjoyed 
hereditary flignity, while the great body of the people were considered 
vile. Their great chief, the descendant of the sun, the sole object of 
their worship, they approached with religious veneration, and honored 
him as the representative of their deity. In their temples, which were 
constructed with some magnificence, they kept up a perpetual fire as the 
purest emblem of their divinity. The Mexicans and the people of Bo- 
gota were worshipers of the sun and moon, and had temples, altars, 
priests and sacrifices. The name of the Natchez melted away, and their 
decline seemed to keep pace with the wasting away of the Mexican em- 
pire. The Natchez were partially destroyed in a battle with the French, 
east of the Mississippi, and fifter their retreat up Red River, west of the 
Mississippi, they were finally conquered, their women and children re- 
duced to slavery and distributed among the plantations, and the men 
themselves sent to serve as slaves in San Domingo. 

Tlie Natchez were the most highly polished and civilized of any race 
of Indians. Tliey had an established religion and a regular priesthood. 
The usual distinctions created by rank were understood and observed, in 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 49 

which particulars they differed from the Indians north of the Ohio and 
east of the Alleghanies, They were seldom engaged in any but defensive 
wars and did not deem it glorious to destroy the human species. They 
were just, generous and humane, and attentive to the wants of the needy; 
and it is probable they inhabited all the country from the Mississippi 
eastward to the Alleghanies and northward to the Ohio. 

In the light of more recent investigations, although Judge Haywood's 
line of argument is that necessarily followed by naturalists, and although 
the facts brought to light by him are yet as valuable as though his theory 
were impregnable, yet it was necessary for him to assume untenable 
positions in order to make it appear reasonable that the Natchez were the 
Mound Builders. In all probability this tribe occupied a territory much 
smaller than that supposed by him, viz. : the entire eastern half of the 
Mississippi Valley south of the Ohio River. But even if his supposition 
in this respect were true, there are many thousands of mounds outside of 
these limits, in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. In this latter 
State the mounds appear to be of a kind peculiar to that location, being 
so constructed as to show they were designed to be effigies of most of the 
various kinds of quadrupeds known in the country, as well as fishes, 
reptiles and birds. Of these perhaps the most remarkable is the "Big 
Elephant Mound," a few miles below the mouth of the Wisconsin River, 
in Wisconsin. From its name its form may be inferred. It is 135 feet 
in length and otherwise properly proportioned. It scarcely seems prob- 
able that the people who constructed these mysterious mounds could have 
represented an elephant or a mastodon without having seen#one, and it 
is perhaps justly inferable that the "Big Elephant Mound" was con- 
structed in the days of the mastodon. If this be true it is eloquent in 
its ai-gumsnt for the immense age of the mounds, as geologists are gen- 
erally agreed that the mastodon lived not much later than the Pliocene era. 

Another fact attesting the great age of these most interesting relics 
is this: The human bones found therein, except those of a later and 
probably intrusive burial, are not in a condition to admit of removal, as 
they crumble into dust upon exposure to the air; while human bones are 
removed entire from British fuinuli known to belong to ages older than 
the Christian era, and frequently from situations much less conducive to 
preservation than those in the mounds, and in addition the mounds are 
rarely found upon the most recently formed terraces of the rivers. 

The selection of sites for the location of these mounds appears to 
have been guided by the location of soils capable of cultivation, and by 
accessibility to navigable streams; the same situations have since fre- 
quently been selected by pioneers of civilization as the centers of settle- 



50 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

inent and trade. While the purpose for which some of these mounds 
were erected is sometimes doubtful, as is the case with the "animal 
mounds" in AVisconsin, a few in Ohio, and some in the valley of the Arkan- 
sas, yet as to many of them which have been carefully explored there is 
less doubt, aiid they are divided according to the uses to which they were 
probably devoted. All the earthworks found in Tennessee belong to one 
of the classes below. Mounds are numerous in West Tennessee, on the 
Cumberland, on both Big and Little Tennessee, on French Broad,on Duck 
and on the Elk. The earthworks have been classified by an eminent anti- 
q^uarian* as follows: 

("Sepulchral. 
Templar. 
Mounds ■{ Sacrificial. 
I Memorial. 
[Observatory. 

Earthworks. \ ^^^,^^ ] EmWematic. 
I ( Symbolical. 

I ( Military. 

i Inclosures ■< Covered. 
( Sacred. 

One of these mounds is in the immediate vicinity of Nashville, upon 
which Monsieur Charleville, the French trader, had his store in 1714, 
when the Shawanee Indians were driven away by the Cherokees and Chick- 
asaws. Very large burying grounds lay between fhis mound and the 
river ; thence westwardly and then to the creek. The great extent of the 
burying ground, and the vast number of interments therein, induce the 
belief that a population once resided there many times greater than that 
now occupying that portion of the State, and suggested the idea that the 
cemetery was in the vicinity of the mound because the mound was used 
for religious purposes. 

About fourteen miles up the Cumberland above Nashville is a mound 
twelve to thirteen feet high. Upon excavation ashes were found mixed 
with lime and substances resemblino: human bodies after beinsf burned. 

On Big Harpetli River, near the mouth of Dog Creek, is a square 
mound, 47x47 feet and 25 feet high and in a row with it two others from 
5 to 10 feet high. At some distance are three others in a row parallel 
with the first, the space between resembling a public square. All around 
the bend of the river, except at a place of entrance, is a wall on the mar- 
gin of the river, the mounds being within the area enclosed by the wall. 
AVithin this space is a reservoir of water about fifteen feet square. On 
the top of the large mound was found an image eighteen inches long from 
head to foot composed of soapstone. The trees standing upon the mounds 
are very old ; a poplar tree was five or six feet in diameter. 



^Isaac Smucker in "Ohio Statistics." 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 51 

Higher up the river and within a mile of those just described is 
another bend in the river. In this bend, on the south side of the river, 
is a mound of the same size as the larger one described above. Near 
this mound were found a large number of pine knots. As there were then 
no pine woods within five or six miles it is supposed that these pine knots 
are the remains of the old field pines, which grew to full size after 
cultivation had deserted this region, and falling there decayed. The soil 
renewed its richness, and the present gro^vth, consisting of oaks, poplars 
and maples, succeeded that renewal. Allowing 250 years for the growth 
of the pines, 50 years for the renewal of the soil and 350 years for the 
I)resent growth, 650 years have passed since the commencement of the 
growth of the pines. Hence those pines must have begun to grow about 
the year 1240,. which again shows the great age of the mounds. 

In Sumner County, in a circular enclosure between Bledsoe's Lick 
and Bledsoe's Spring branch, is a wall from fifteen to eighteen inches 
high, with projecting angular elevations of the same height, the wall 
enclosing about sixteen acres. AVithin the enclosure is a raised platform 
from thirteen to fifteen feet above the common surface, about 200 yards 
from the south wall. This platform is sixty yards wide, is level on the 
top and joins a mound which is twenty feet square and eighteen feet 
above the common level. In 1785 a black oak tree three feet through 
was growing on the top of this mound. About 1815 there was plowed 
up on top of the mound an image made of sandstone. The breast was 
that of a female and prominent, and the color was that of a dark infusion 
of coffee. Near this mound was a cave, which at the time of its discovery 
contained a great number of human skulls, without the appearance of any 
other portions of the! human skeleton near them. 

In Williamson County, northwardly from Franklin, on the north side 
of Little Harpeth, are walls of dirt running north from the river. In 
1821 they were four or five feet high, and from 400 to 500 yards long, 
the inclosure containing about fifty acres. AVithin this inclosure are 
three mounds standing in a row from north to south, all nearly of the 
same size. Within this inclosure is a large number of graves, some of 
the bones in which were very large. 

In the same county on the south side of Big Harpeth, about three 
miles from Franklin, is an ancient entrenchment nearly in the form of a 
semi-circle, containing about twenty acres. Within the inclosure made 
by this entrenchment and the bluff are several mounds of different shapes 
and sizes, fi'om six to ten feet high and fi'om ten to twelve yards wide. 
Besides these are other mounds nearly round and ten yards in diameter. 
The largest of the mounds of ,the first class is sixty-eight feet wide and 



52 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

148 feet long and about ten feet high. The trees within the enclosure 
are as large as those of the surrounding country. 

In Hickman County, at the junction of Piney Eiver with Duck Riyer, 
is an enclosure containing twenty-fiv-e or thirty mounds, one of which is 
about fifteen feet high, round and somewhat raised on top, but yet flat 
enough to build a house on. At the base it is about thirty or forty yards 
across. There are numerous mounds in the bottoms? of Duck River, and 
caves containing human bones. 

In Lincoln County, near Fayetteville, below the mouth of Norris 
Creek, are a wall and a ditch proceeding from a point on the river circu- 
larly till it returns to the river, forming an enclosure of about ten acres. 
Within this enclosure are mounds six or eight feet high. On the outside 
of the wall and joined to it are angular projections about'180 feet apart 
and extending outward about ten feet. On one of these angular pro- 
jections stood a black oak tree, which, wlien cut down, exposed 260 annu- 
lar rings. 

In Warren County are numerous mounds fifteen feet high. Eight 
miles south from McMinnville, on Collins River, is a mound thirty feet 
high, with a flat top, containing about one and a half acres of ground. 
On either side of the mound toward the north and south is a ditch about 
twenty feet wide and four feet deep at present, extending parallel and 
terminating at each end at a high bluif. On the mounds were large 
stumps indicating trees of a very great age. 

In Roane County is a mound thirty feet high, having a flat top and a 
regular ascent from bottom to top. The summit contains one-fourth of 
an acre, and all around the summit there was a stone wall about two 
feet high. It is on the south side of the Tennessee River. Across the 
Tennessee facing the mound is a high bluff, upon which three figures are 
painted with black and red colors fi-om the waist upward. One of the 
figures is that of a female. 

On the French Broad River, about one mile above the mouth of the 
Nollichucky, is a mound thirty feet high, with old trees at the top. 

In the third section of the fourth range of the Tenth District of the 
Chickasaw Purchase are seven mounds, one of them seventeen feet high 
and about 140 feet across. Seven miles southwest of Hatchie River and 
about fifty miles east of the Mississippi, in a fertile part of the country, 
are three mounds enclosed by an intrenchment from ten to thirty feet 
wide. Two miles soutli of the south fork of Forked Deer River and about 
fifty miles east of the Mississippi, is a mound fifty-seven feet high and 
over 200 feet across. On the south side of Forked Deer River, about 
forty miles west of the Tennessee, is a mound about 100 rods in diameter 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. ~)S 

at the base, the summit containing about four acres, ami in this part of 
the country are a great number of mounds besides. 

On the north bank of tlie Holston River five miles above tiie mouth 
of French Broad, are six mounds on half an acre of ground, irregularly 
scattered. The bases of these mounds are from ten to thirty feet in 
diameter, the largest one ten feet higli. Near these mounds on a bluff 
100 feet high are painted in red colors the figures of the sun and moon, 
birds, fishes, etc. 

The contents of the mounds are sometimes of consideraV)le interest. 
In 1821 the Oharleville mound near Nashville was opened, and pottery 
of Indian fabrication was found, as also the jaw boiie of some unknown 
caruiverous animal, and small fragments of liones thought t(^ be human. 
About four feet from the summit was found a layer of charcoal about two 
inches thick and extending outward from the center of the mound from 
eight to ten feet. The inference was that a fire had been built on top of 
the mound, and after the fuel had been consumed, fresli dirt carried in 
earthen jars and laid on the ashes before they had time to blow away, the 
fragments of these jars being seen through every part of the mound. 
The object for which the mound Avas raised can only be conjectured. It 
could not have been for a throne for the ruler of the nation, for savaires 
are not thus devoted to their leaders. It could not have been for mili- 
tary purposes, for to be placed on the mound would be only to be more 
exposed to the enemy's missiles. It could not have been for a tower, for 
there was no narrow pass near it to be guarded. It therefore seems prob- 
able that it could only be for religious purposes. 

In the mounds near Bledsoe's Lick fCastalian Springs), in Sumner 
County, were found ashes, pottery ware, flint, muscle shells, periwinkles, 
coal, etc. In making an excavation in one of these mounds there was 
found two feet below the surface a layer of ashes fourteen inches thick. In 
proceeding doA\T2ward there were found twenty-eight layers of ashes, alter- 
nating with clay, the ashes being of a blackish color. At eight feet below 
the summit of the mound was found the skeleton of a child, the surround- 
ings bearing evidence of careful Inirial. The skeleton was in quite a de- 
cayed state. At its feet was a jug of sand-stone capable of holding about 
a gallon. Small pieces of decayed human bones were also found, and also 
the jaw-bone of some unknown animal with a tusk attached, the tusk being 
of the same form as that of the mastodon. There were found also the bones 
of birds, arrow points, and flints at the depth of eighteen feet, and pottery, 
some of which was glazed, isinglass, and burnt corn-cobs. At the depth of 
nineteen feet were found a piece of a corn-cob and some small pieces of 
cedar almost entirely decayed. 



5-1 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Near Nashville, probably about the year 1800, there was dug up an 
imasre. The base of this im lije was a flat circle from which rose a some- 
what elongated globular figure terminating at the top with the figure of 
a female head. The features of the face were Asiatic, probably a resem- 
blance of the Mound Builders themselves. The crown of the head was 
covered with a cap or ornament, shaped into a pyramidal figure, with a 
flattened circular summit ending at the apex in a rounded button. 
Another image was found about twelve miles south from Nashville, of 
sculptured stone, representing a woman sitting with hands under her 
chin and elbows on her knees. It was well proportioned, neatly formed 
and highly polished. Two others were found near Clarksville, one of an 
old man the other of an old woman. In 1883 a roughish stone image 
was found on the farm of Dr. W. H. Garman, seven miles from Franklin, 
Williamson County. This is the image of a person sitting with limbs 
draAvn close to the body and hands upon knees, and with the features 
resembling somewhat the supposed appearance of the Mound Builders. 
This image is now in the possession of the Tennessee Historical Society 
at Nashville. 

In a cave about six miles from Carthage on the Cumberland E-iver 
were found a number of human skeletons, one of which was that of a female 
with yellow hair, and having around the wrist a silver clasp Avith letters in- 
scribed resembling those of the Greek alphabet. This was in 1815. But 
perhap the most interesting relics found in Tennessee, in the form of human 
skeletons, were discovered in 1811 in a cave in AVarren County, about 
twenty miles from McMinnville. These were of two human beings, one 
male the other female. They liad been buried in baskets the construc- 
tion of which was evidence of considerable mechanical skill. Both bodies 
were dislocated at the hips and were placed erect in the baskets, each, of 
which had a neatly fitting cover of cane. The flesh of these persons was 
entire and undecayed, dry and of a brown color. Around the female, next 
to her body, was placed a well dressed deer-skin, and next to this was a 
mantle composed of the bark of a tree and feathers, the bark being com- 
posed of small strands well twisted. The mantle or rug was aboxit six 
feet long and three feet wide. She had in her hand a fan made from the 
tail feathers of a turkey, and so made as to be opened and closed at pleas- 
ure. The hair remaining on the heads of both was entire, and that upon 
the head of the female, who appeared to have been about fourteen years 
old at the time of her death, was of a yellow color and a very fine texture. 
Hence the individuals were thought to have been of European or Asiatic 
extraction. "With reference to the mantles in wliich these ])odies were 
enclosed it may be remarked that the Florida Indians met with by De 



HLSTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 55 

■Soto in his wanderings "adorned themselves with mantles made of 
feathers, or in a textile fabric of some woody fiber," and " wore shoes and , 
clothing made from skins which they dressed and colored with great skill."* 
It appears also that certain Indians were acquainted with some kind of 
rude art of preserving the bodies of the dead, for, in 1528, Pamphilo de 
Narvaez and his company in a reconnoissance along the coast near Tampa 
Bay, Fla., " came upon a little Indian village, where they found some 
bodies in a sort of mummified condition, the sacred remains, no doubt, of 
the ancestors of the chiefs of the tribe, "f Thus the mantles and the 
mummified condition of these bodies might perhaps be considered suffi- 
ciently accounted for, but there remains the question of the color and 
fineness of the texture of the hair to be solved. 

Numbers of the constructions by the Mound Builders were evidently 
for other than sacrificial or religious purposes. On the south branch 
of Forked Deer River between the Tennessee and Mississippi Pivers is 
the appearance of what tlie people there call an ancient fortification. It 
is 250 yards square. The wall is made of clay and is eight feet above 
the general level. Trees as large as any in the surrounding county are 
growing on the top and sides of the wall. Within this wall is an ancient 
mound eighty-seven feet high, circular in form except at the top where 
it is square and fifty feet each way. 

In Stewart County, near the junction of Spring Branch with Wells 
Creek is a fortification about ninety feet square, with bastions twelve 
feet square at the opposite corners. Large white oak and liickory trees 
are growing on the walls and bastions. 

But perhaps the most interesting of all the ancient constructions in 
Tennessee is what is everywhere known as the "Old Stone Fort." This 
fort is in Coffee County, at the verge of the highlands one mile from 
Manchester, just above the junction of Barren Fork and Taylor's Fork of 
Duck Biver. The fort itself is in the form of an irregular oval. On 
the east and west sides of it the water falls from precipice to precipice 
until the fall is 100 feet in a half mile. The fort is a wonderful struc- 
ture. The walls are composed of boulders, conglomerate and debyis from 
the beds of the two streams, and earth. The embankment has a base of 
thirty feet and when built it was doubtless higher tliaii the men who 
made it. The amount of material which entered into its construction is 
immense, and a corresponding amount of labor Avas required to do the 
work. Thirty years ago the ground was very heavily timbered with 
poplar, chestnut and hickory, ranging from three to five feet in diameter. 
Trees as large as could be found anywhere in the vicinity were standing 

*Bryant. 
tibid. 



56 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



immediately on the embankment, and it is manifest that at the time of the 
building of the fort there was not a tree nor shrub to be found in the vicin- 
ity. In the diagram A repre- 
sents the entrance into the fort, 
B a semi-circular embankment 
to cover the entrance, and C an 
excavation about 100 feet deep 
extending from one river to the 
other. Whether this excavation 
was made by man or nature can 
not now be known, but specula- 
tion favors the hypothesis that 
it was made by man. The an- 
tiquity of the fort is indubit- 
able. Nothing has ever been 
found about the fort to furnish 
the least clue to its origin. It 
could not have been, as has 
been suggested, the work of De 
Soto and his men, for in the first 
place they were probably much 
farther south when they passed 
its longitude, and second it 
would have required half a life- 
time to do the work, and then 
they would have had no use for 
it when made. In addition to 
these considerations it is shown to have been in existence before De Soto 
visited this country. On the 7th of August, 1819, Col. Andrew Erwin, 
on whose land the fort was, caused to be cut down a white oak tree. 
Maj. Murray and himself counted 357 annular rings in this tree, which 
was growing on the wall. How long it was after the building of the 
wall before the tree began to grow it is of course impossible to know. 
It may have been one hundred or a thousand years. But if no interval 
be allowed, which however cannot be supposed, the fort can not have 
been erected later than 357 years previous to 1819, or 1462, thirty years 
before Columbus discovered America, and seventy-eight years before De 
Soto made his famous tour of exploration. Thus again do we arrive at 
an immense age for these works, and it is also fair to presume that the 
fort was built when this section of the country was thickly inhabited. 
Many other remains and relics of great interest, especially to the anti- 




HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. . 57 

quarian, have been found within this State. Enough has been presented 
to show that the Mound Builders, whencesoever and whenever they may 
have come, were a numerous, intelligent, religious, agricultural and, to a 
considerable degree, a warlike people, at least so far as defensive wars 
are concerned ; that they occupied the country probably for many centur- 
ies ; that they were driven out by a race superior in numbers and probably 
in the art of war, but inferior in intellect; that they can scarcely have 
lived in this country later than 1,000 or 1,200 A. D. ; that when driven 
out they probably moved southward into Mexico, Central and South Am- 
erica, and they may possibly have been the ancestors of, or have been 
absorbed by, some Central American or South American race. 



CHAPTER III. 

TnE Indian Races— Dialects and Traditions— Geographical Tribal Lo- 
cation— French AND Spanish Settlements— Establishment of the First 
Fort— Sava(}e Atrocities— The Fort Loudon Massacre— Destruction 
OF Indian Villages and Fields—" The Beloved Toavn"— Peace and Ces- 
sion Treaties— Battle of Point Pleasant— Border Wapj5— Expeditions 
OF Rutherford and Christian— " The Lower ToWns "— SfeviER's Cam- 
paigns—Reservations AND Boundary Lines— Thrilling Frontier Inci- 
dents-Indian Affairs on the Cumberland— Robertson's Exertions— 
The Coldwater and Nickajack Expeditions— Treaty Stipulations— 
The Unicoi Turnpike Company— The Hiwassee Lands— The Western 
Purchase— Exodus. 

THE race of red men having the earliest claim to the territory now em- 
])raced within the limits of Tennessee, was the Iroquois, or Confeder- 
acy of Six Nations, though it was for the most part unoccupied by them. 
The Achalaques had a kind of secondary, or perhaps it may be called 
permissory claim to it. In Schoolcraft's great work on the Indian races 
of North America is a map showing the location of the various Indian 
tribes in the year 1600, which, if authentic, proves that the Achalaques 
then occupied most of Tennessee east of the Tennessee Eiver, and also 
small portions of Georgia and Alabama, and a considerable portion of 
Kentucky. The ancient Achalaques were the same tribe or nation as 
tiie modern Cherokees. They have no I in their language, and hence 
substitute the letter r therefore, in a manner similar to that in which the 
modern Chinaman substitutes I for r. Then by a few other slight and 
obvious changes the name Cherokee is easily obtained. But the fii-st 
actual Indian occupants of this territory, of which history or tradition fur- 



58 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

nishes any account, were the Shawanees, or Shawanoes as they were earlier 
known. 

With respect to the origin of the Shawanees it is proper to observe 
that they and the Algonquins are the only tribes of Indians, having a 
tradition of an origin from beyond the seas — of a landing from a sea voy- 
age. John Johnson, Esq., who was for many years prior to 1820 agent 
for the Shawanee.s, observes, in a letter dated July 7, 1819, that they 
migrated from west Florida and parts adjacent to Ohio and Indiana, 
where they were then located : 

'•The people of this nation have a tradition that their ancestors crossed 
the sea. They are the only tribe with which I am acquainted who ad- 
mit a foreign origin. Until lately they kept yearly sacrifices for their 
safe arrival in this country. From where they came or at what period 
they arrived in America they do not know. It is a prevalant opinion 
among them that white people had inhabited Florida who had the use of 
iron tools. Blackhoof, a celebrated Indian chief, informs me that he has 
even heard it spoken of by old people that stumps of trees covered with 
earth were frequently found which had been cut down with edged tools.'" 

About the year 1600 the Five Nations were settled near the site of 
Montreal, Canada, having come probably from the north or northwest. 
There were among them, as well as among other races, several traditions 
relative to the extirpation of an ancient race of people. The tradition of 
the Indians northwest of tlie Ohio was that Kentucky had been inhal)- 
ited by white people, and that they had been exterminated by war. The 
Sac Indians had a tradition that Kentucky had been the scene of much 
blood. The ancient inhabitants, they said, were white, and possessed 
arts of which the Indians were entirely ignorant. Col. McGee was told by 
an Indian that it was a current tradition among the Indians that Ohio and 
Kentucky had once been inhabited by Avhite people who possessed arts 
not understood by the Indians, and that after many severe conflicts they 
had been exterminated. The various sources from Avhich this tradition 
comes is evidence of its very general existence among the Aborigines 
more, perhaps, than of its truth. 

The Shawanees, who came from the Savannah River, whose name was 
once the Savannachers, and after whom the Savannah River received its 
name, at one time claimed the lands on the Cumberland River. This was, 
however, at a later period in their history, when their name had been 
changed from the Savannachers to the Shawanoes. The French called 
both the tribe and the river the Chauvanon, or Shauvanon. The Chero- 
kees, as was stated above, also asserted a claim to the same land, but al- 
ways acknowledged the superior claim of the Iroquois, who themselves 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 59 

claimed tlie country by right of conquest. For many years both Shaw- 
nees and Cherokees maintained against each other a bloody contest for 
its possession ; but being so nearly equal in strength and prowess, neither 
could gain any decided advantage over the other. At length both na- 
tions, fearing the results of a continuation of the conflict, refrained from 
going upon the lands between the Cumberland and the Kentucky and 
Ohio, for which reason this beautiful section of "^he country became an 
immense, luxuriant park, abounding in game of every kind perfectly safe 
from the arrows of the savages, who fearfully observed this as a neutral 
ground. When this great and unusual abundance of game became known 
to white hunters belonging to the English and French pioneers, they 
soon began to resort thither for the purpose of enriching themselves 
with the skins and furs of the bear, the deer, the otter and the mink, to 
to be S(^ easily and so plentifully obtained. Gen. Robertson learned that 
about a century and a half before his time the Shawanees had by degrees 
returned to the lauds on the Cumberland, were scattered to the west- 
ward as far as the Tennessee, and even considerably to the north. About 
the year 1710, being much harassed by the Cherokees, they came to the 
determination to permanently leave the country. 

The Chickasaws were at that time occupying the country to the south- 
west, in the western part of Tennessee and thenorthern part of Mississippi. 
According to their own tradition they came from west of the Mississippi. 
When about to start eastward from their ancient home they were provided 
with a large dog as a guard and a pole as a guide. The dog would give 
them warning of the approach of an enemy, to defend themselves against 
whom they could then prepare. The pole they set up in the ground 
every night, and the next morning they would look at it and go in the 
direction it leaned. They continued their journey thus until they crossed 
the Mississippi River, and until they arrived on the waters of the Ala- 
bama where Huntsville is now located. There the pole was unsettled for 
several days, but finally becoming steady it leaned in a northwest direc- 
tion, and in consequence they resumed their journey toward the north- 
west, planting the pole every night as before until they arrived at the 
place called " Chickasaw Old Fields," where the pole stood perfectly erect. 
All then came to the conclusion that they had reached the promised land. 
In this location they remained until 183.7 or 1838, when they migrated 
west of the State of Arkansas. 

When the pole was in its unsettled condition a part of the tribe moved 
on eastward and joined the Creeks. They always afterward declined the 
invitation to reunite with the majority of their tribe, but always remained 
friendly until they had intercourse with the whites. The great dog was 



<50 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

lost in crossing the Mississippi, and the Chickasaws always believed that 
he fell into a large sink- hole and there remained. They said they could 
hear him howl at night, and so long as this continued whenever they took 
any scalps from an enemy they sent boys back with the scalps to throw 
to the doo-. In traveling from the West they have no recollection of hav- 
m<y crossed any large stream of water except the Mississippi. Upon leav- 
ino- the West they were informed they might look for white people, that 
these white people would come from the East, and that they were to be on 
their guard against them lest they should become contaminated Avith all 
the vices the whites possessed. 

The Shawanees, it is believed, came to this country about the year 
1650, and in 1710 or thereabouts, when they determined to leave it forever 
on account of the frequent harassments to which they were subjected by 
the Cherokees, the Chickasaws, for some reason which does not appear, 
united with the Cherokees, the hereditary enemies of the Shawanees, for 
the purpose of striking a decisive blow and thus making themselves mas- 
ters of the situation. In pursuance of this design a large body of C'hicka- 
saws repaired to the Cumberland just above the mouth of Harpeth, where 
they attacked the Shawanees, killed a large number of them and took from 
them all their property. The remnant of the tribe made their way north- 
ward as best they could. 

The claim of the Cherokees to the land north of the Cumberland was 
not considered as perfect even by themselves. This became apparent at 
the treaty of Fort Stanwix, which was made November 5, 1768. This 
treaty was made between Sir William Johnson, superintendent for north- 
ern Indian affairs, representing the King of Great Britain, and 3,200 
Indians of seventeen different tribes — the Six Nations, and tribes tribu- 
tary to that confederacy, or occupying territory contiguous to territory 
occupied by them. In this treaty the delegates of the respective na- 
tions aver that " they are the true and absolute proprietors of the 
lands thus ceded," and that for the consideration mentioned they con- 
tinued the line south to Cherokee or Hogohegee* River, because the same 
is and we declare it to be our true bounds with the southern Indians, 
and that we have aji undoubted right to the country as far south as 
that river.'* Some visiting Cherokees, who were present at the treaty, 
on their arrival at Fort Stanwix, having killed some game on the way 
for their support, tendered the skins to the Six Nations, saying, "they 
are yours, we killed them after j)assing the Big River,'' the name b}- 
which they ahvays called the Tennessee. By the treaty at Fort Stan- 
wix the right to the soil and sovereignty was vested in the king of 

*HoJ8ton. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 61 

Great Britain, and by the treaty of 1783 the king of Great Britain 
resigned liis sovereignty in the lands, and thus they became the property 
of those States within whose limits they happened then to be. 

While the Six Nations claimed the lands only by the right of con- 
quest, the Cherokees had long exercised the privilege of using them as 
a hunting ground, and naturally, therefore, regarded with jealousy the 
encroachments of the whites. John Stuart, superintendent of Southern 
Indian Affairs, was, therefore, instructed to assemble the southern In- 
dians for the purpose of establishing a boundary line with them, and 
concluded a treaty with the Cherokees at Hard Labour, S. C, October 
14, 1708. By this treaty it was agreed that the southwestern boundary 
of Virginia should be a line "extending from the point where the north- 
ern line of iNorth Carolina intersects the Cherokee hunting grounds, about 
thirty-six miles east of Long Island, on the Holston River, and thence 
extending in a direct course north by east to Chiswell's Mine, on the east 
bank of Kanawha River, and thence down that stream to its junction 
with the Ohio." 

Having thus traced the Iroquois and Shawanees to their departure 
from the State, the former by treaty with Great Britain, and the latter 
by expulsion by the Cherokees and Chickasaws, there now remain, to 
treat of in this chapter the Creeks — or as they were originally known, 
the Muscogees — the Choctaws and Chickasaws, the three leading tribes 
or nations of the Appalachian group, which in early Indian times, just 
previous to the dawn of history in this State, occupied Florida, Georgia, 
Alabama, Mississippi and the western part of Tennessee, and the Achal- 
aques or Cherokees, who ostensibly occupied Eastern and Middle Ten- 
nessee and small portions of Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky. 

Perhaps the earliest exploits of the Creeks and Cherokees desirable 
to mention in this work, were their alliances with the whites in 1711, 
about the time of the expulsion of the Shawanees from the Cumberland, 
when the Tuscaroras, Corees and other tribes combined for the extermin- 
ation of the settlers on the Roanoke, their attempt resulting in the 
massacre of 137 white people. The details of this disaster reaching 
Charleston, Gov. Craven sent Col. Barnwell with 600 militia and 400 
Indians went to the relief of the survivors, the 400 Indians consisting in 
part of Creeks and Cherokees. The Tuscaroras and Corees were sub- 
dued, the hostile portion of the former tribe migrated to the vicinity of 
Oneida Lake, and then became the sixth nation of the Iroquois Con- 
federacy. 

In about four years after the suppression of the Tuscaroras, all the 
Indian tribes from Florida to Cape Fear united in a confederacy for 



62 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

the destruction of the white settlements in Carolina. This confederacy 
was. composed of the Catawbas, Congarees, Creeks, Cherokees, and 
Tamassees. It is believed they were instigated to the course they pur- 
sued by the Spaniards, as they had just received guns and ammunition 
from St. Augustine. After spreading desolation and death for some time 
through the unsuspecting settlements, the confederacy was met by 
Gov. Craven at Salkehatchie, defeated and driven across the Savannah 
River. 

The French were at this time erecting forts in various parts of the- 
y'Southwest: Paducah at the mouth of the Cumberland; Assumption, on 
Chickasaw Bluff; besides others, and numerous trading posts on the 
Tennessee. The English and French colonists were each seeking to 
ingratiate themselves with the various Indian tribes with which they 
came in contact, with the view of attaching to themselves as many of 
the Indians as possible and of thus obtaining advantages the one 
over the other. In pursuance of this policy Gov. Nicholson, in 1721, 
invited the Cherokees to a general ccmference, in order to establish a 
treaty of commerce and friendship. In response to this invitation the 
chieftains of thirty-seven different towns attended the conference, at 
which Gov. Nicholson made them presents, laid off their boundaries, 
and appointed an agent to superintend their affairs. Similar measures 
were taken with the Creeks. In 1730 the projects of the French with 
reference to uniting Louisiana and Canada began to be more notice- 
ably developed. They had already made many friends among the 
Indians west of Carolina, and in order to counteract their influence 
Great Britain sent out Sir Alexander Cumming to treat with the 
Cherokees, who then occupied the lands about the head waters of the' 
Savannah Biver, and backward from the Appalachian chain of moun- 
tains. This tribe was then computed to consist of more than 20,000 
individuals, 6,000 of whom were warriors. Sir Alexander met the 
chiefs in April of the year last mentioned at Nequassee, all the towns 
sending in representatives or delegates. Nequassee was near the 
sources of the Hiwassee. A treaty of friendship, alliance and com- 
merce was drawn up and formally executed, in consequence of which a 
condition of peace and friendship continued to exist for some time be- 
tween the colonists and this tribe. Two years afterward Gov. Ogle- 
thorpe effected a treaty with the Lower and Upper Creeks, a powerful 
tribe then numbering in the aggregate abo\it 25,000 souls. These 
alliances with the Cherokees and Creeks promised security to the col- 
onists from the encroachments from tlie SpSinish and French in Florida 
and Louisiana. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 63 

In 1740 the Cherokee Indians marked out a path from Augusta to 
their nation, so that horsemen could ride from Savannah to all the Indian 
nations. In 1750 a treaty was made by Col. Waddle and the chief, 
j^ ttakullakulla, in behalf of the Cherokee nation, in accordance with 
which Fort Dobbs was built about twenty miles from Salisbury, N. C, 
and near the Yadkin; but the Indians paid but little attention to the 
treaty, as they killed some people the next spring near the Catawba. In 
1755 Gov. Glenn, of South Carolina, met the Cherokee warriors and 
chiefs in their own country, and made a treaty with them at which a ces- 
sion of considerable territory was made to the King of Great Britain 
and deeds of conveyance formally executed in the name of the whole 
people. In 1756 the Earl of Loudon, commander of the King's troops 
in America, sent Andrew Lewis to erect a stone fort on the Tenhes^s'ee 
'River, at the head of navigation. It was erected about thirty miles from 
the present site of Knoxville, and was named Fort Loudon in honor 
of the Earl. This fort was garrisoned with about 200 men, the exis- 
tence of the fort and the presence of the troops giving great uneasiness 
to the Indians. In the spring of 1758 the settlement around Fort Lou- 
don, by the arrival of hunters and traders, soon grew into a thriving vil- 
lage. During this year the British captured Fort Du Quesne, the En- 
glish Army being commanded by Gen. Forbes, and immediately after its 
capitulation the name was changed to Fort Pitt, in honor of the great 
cominoner of England. In the army of Gen. Forbes were several Cher- 
okees, who had accompanied the provincial troops of North and South 
Carolina. The disaffection among the Cherokees already existing was 
unfortunately suddenly and largely increased by a serious occurrence in 
the back parts of Virginia. Returning home through this part of the 
country, the Cherokees, who had lost some horses on the expedition to 
Fort Du Quesne, stole such as they found running at large. This action 
of theirs was resented by the Virginians killing twelve or fifteen of the 
Cherokees, which ungracious conduct from allies whose frontier the 
Cherokees had aided to defend, at once aroused a spirit of resentment 
and revenge. The garrison of Fort Loudon, consisting of about 200 
men, under the command of Capts. Demere and Stuart, on account of 
its remoteness from white settlements, was the first to notice and suffer 
from the retaliatory proceedings of the Cherokees. Soldiers making ex- 
cursions into the woods to procure fresh supplies of provisions were 
attacked by the Indians, and some of them killed. From this time it 
became necessary for them to confine themselves within the narrow limits 
of the fort. The sources of their provisions being cut off, there seemed 
no prospect before them but famine and death. Parties of warriors 



^4 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

rushed down upon the settlements along the border, and the work of 
massacre became general among the frontier settlements. 

After the fall of Fort Du Quesne, and the decline of the power of 
France in America, a fundamental change occurred in the relations of the 
northern Indian tribes to the French and English nations. The north- 
ern tribes had hitherto been allied to the French, but now the French, 
havino- been overcome by the English, it became necessary for them to 
transfer their allegiance to the English. But the southern tribes re- 
mained quiescent and relied for security on the power of the French. At 
this time the territory of the Cherokees extended from Fort Ninety-six on 
the Carolina frontier and Fort Prince George on the Keowee branch of 
the Savannah to the source of that river and across the Appalachian 
chain of mountains to and down the Cherokee or Tennessee River and its 
southern branches, a country replete with every resource required for 
the sustenance of savage life and customs. 

Gf)V. Lyttleton hearing of the investment of Fort Loudon, and of 
the oiitrages along the border, summoned the militia to assemble at Con- 
gar ee, for the purpose of chastising the enemy, but previous to assuming 
offensive measures, called together some of the head men of the nation 
and made with them a treaty, which after reciting reference to former 
treaties, which had been violated by the Indians, proceeded with com- 
mendable precision to rehearse grievances of a still later date, for all of 
which the Cherokees promised to make amend, and also promised good 
conduct for the future. Two of their own nation who had committed 
murders were actually delivered up, and the surrender of twenty more 
was promised, to be kept as hostages, until the same number of Indians 
guilty of murder, should be delivered up, and that the Cherokees should 
kill or take prisoner every Frenchman that should presume to come into 
the nation. This treaty was signed by AttakullakuUa and five other prin- 
cipal chiefs on the part of the Cherokees, and by Gov. Lyttleton. His 
purpose having been accomplislied, and peace restored as he supposed, 
the Governor returned to Charleston, and the Indians recommenced their 
depredations. It has been well said by a writer on American history, 
that the Indians are of such a nature that unless they feel the rod of 
chastisement, they cannot believe in the power to inflict it; and accord- 
ingly whenever they happen to be attacked unprepared they have resource 
to a treaty of peace as a subterfuge, in order to gain time to collect them- 
selves. Then without the least regard to the bonds of [)ublic faith, they 
renew their hostilities on the first opportunity. Possibly, however, there 
may be some little palliation for their perfidy with reference to this treaty 
with Gov. Lyttleton signed by the six Cherokees, when it is consid- 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE, 65 

ered that only this small number signed it, and that the treaty itself was 
not in accordance with the sentiments of the tribe. This became pain- 
fully evident immediately after the departure of the Governor from Fort 
Prince George and the dispersion of his army. Hostilities were at once 
renewed and fourteen whites killed within a mile of the fort. On the 
18th of February, 1760, the Cherokees assembled at the fort on the 
Keowee, and attempted to svirprise it. As the garrison was gazing at 
the forts ( ?) from the ramparts, a noted chief, Oconostota, approached 
and expressed a desire to speak to the commandant, Lieut. Coytmore, 
who agreed to meet him on the bank of the Keowee River, whither he 
was accompanied by Ensign Bell and the interpreter, Mr. Ooharty. Ocon- 
ostota said he wished to go down to see the Governor and requested that a 
white man be permitted to go with him. This request being acceded to 
he said to an Indian "Go and catch a horse for me." This was objected 
to, but the chief making a faint motion carelessly swung a bridle, which 
he held, three times around his head. This being a secret signal to men 
lying concealed, a volley was poured in which mortally wounded Coytmore, 
who received a ball in his breast, and inflicted deep flesh wounds on 
others. 

This treachery of Oconostota so aroused the indignation of Ensign 
Miln, commanding the garrison of the fort, that he determined to put the 
twenty hostages as well as the two murderers in irons ; but the first attempt 
to seize the assassins was so successfully resisted that the soldier deputed to 
effect it was instantly killed and another wounded. This so exasperated the 
garrison that they immediately put to death all the hostages. This act of 
retaliation was followed by a general invasion of the frontier of Carolina, 
and an indiscriminate slaughter of men, women and children. 

Measures were taken as soon as practicable to punish and restrain these 
excesses by collecting together a large force of men and sending them for- 
ward under Col. Montgomery for the Cherokee country. Such was the 
celerity of his movements that the Cherokees were taken completely by 
surprise. On the 26th of May he reached Fort Ninety-Six, and on June 1 
passed the twelve-mile branch of the Keowee. Four miles before reach- 
ing the town of Estatoe Col. Montgomery's attention was attracted by the 
barking of a dog about a quarter of a mile from the road, at a town called 
Little Keowee. He detached a force of soldiers to surround the town 
with instructions to kill the men, but to. spare the women and children, 
which instructions were obeyed, the main force proceeding on to Estatoe, 
a town of about 200 houses, well supplied with provisions and ammunition. 
Estatoe was reduced to ashes, and twelve of its warriors killed. Other 
towns were attacked in rapid succession, until every one in the lower 



66 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

nation had been visited and destroyed. About twenty of tlie Cherokees. 
were killed and forty taken prisoners, with a loss to Col. Montgomery of 
four soldiers killed and two officers wounded. 

Montgomery then returned to Fort Prince George, whence he sent out 
messengers inviting the Cherokees to sue for peace, and also sending word 
to Capts. Demere and Stuart, commanding at Fort Loudon, requesting 
them to obtain peace if possible with the Upper Towns. But hearing noth- 
ing from them he determined to penetrate to the Middle Towns. Start- 
ing on the 24th of June he marched with the same celerity three days, on 
the third day reaching Etchowee, Flntering the valley near this town the 
savages sprang from their lurking lair, fired upon the troops, killed Capt. 
Morrison and wounded a number of his men. A heavy firing sprang up on 
both sides and lasted about an hour, with the result of killing twenty-six 
and wounding seventy of Col. Montgomery's men. The loss to the Indians 
is not known, but the battle was not decisive, and Col. Montgomery, with 
such a large number of wounded men upon his hands, found it impractica- 
ble to proceed further, and so returned to Fort Prince George. 

Fort Loudon, by reason of its great distance from the seat of authority ' 
in North Carolina, was peculiarly exposed to the dangers of frontier war- 
fare. Its garrison was now reduced to the fearful alternative of starving 
to death or of submitting to the enraged Cherokees, as neither Virginia nor 
North Carolina was able to render any assistance. For an entire month 
they had been obliged to subsist on the flesh of lean dogs and horses and a 
small supply of Indian beans, stealthily procured for them by some 
friendly Cherokee women; Besieged night and day, and with no hope of 
succor, the garrison refused longer to be animated and encouraged to 
hold out by their officers, and threatened to leave the fort, take their 
chances of cutting through the forces of their savage besiegers, and, fail- 
ing, die at once rather than longer endure the slow, painful process of 
starvation. The commander therefore held a council of war, and the offi- 
cers all being of the opinion that it was impossible to hold out longer, 
agreed to surrender the fort to the Cherokees on the best terms that 
could be obtained. Capt. Stuart therefore obtained leave to go to Chota, 
where he obtained the following terms ol capitulation: 

That the garrison of Fort Loudoa march out with their arms and drums, each 
soldier having as much powder and ball as their officers shall think necessary for the 
march, and all the baggage they may choose to carry; that the garrison be permitted to 
march to Virginia or Fort Prince George as the commanding officer shall think proper, 
unmolested; that a number of Indians be appointed to escort them and hunt for provisions 
on the march ; that such soldiers as are lame, or are by sickness disabled from marching, 
be received into the Indian towns and kindly used until they recover, and then be allowed 
to return to Fort Prince George; that the Indians provide for the garrison as many horses 
as they conveniently can for the march, agreeing with the officers and soldiers for pay- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 67 

ment; that the fort, great guns, powder, ball and spare arms be delivered to the Indians 
without fraud or dela\' on the day appointed for the march of the troops. 

In accordance with this stipulation the garrison marched out of the 
fort, with their arms, accompanied by Oconostota, Judd's friend, the 
prince of Chota, and several other Indians, and marched fifteen miles on 
the first day, encamping for the night on a plain about two miles from 
Tellico. At this place all their Indian attendants left them upon one 
pretext or another. This desertion was looked upon by the garrison as 
of a very suspicious nature, and hence a strong guard was placed around 
the camp. The next morning about daybreak, one of the guard came 
running into camp with the information that a vast number of Indians 
armed and painted in the most dreadful manner, were creeping up amon<y 
the bushes and preparing to surround the camp. Almost immediately 
the enfeebled and dispirited garrison was surrounded and a hea^y fii-e 
was opened upon them from all quarters, which they were powerless to 
resist. Capt. Demer^, three other officers and about twenty-six private 
soldiers fell at the first onset. Some fled to the woods, others were taken 
prisoners and confined in the towns of the valley. Capt. Stuart and some 
others were taken back to Fort Loudon. Attakullakalla, hearing of his 
friend Stuart's capture, immediately repaired to the fort, purchased him 
from his captors, took him to his own home, where he kept him until a 
favorable opportunity should offer for aiding him in his escape. The 
soldiers were after some time redeemed by the Province at great expense. 

While the prisoners were confined at Fort Loudon, Oconostota decided 
to make an attack upon Fort Prince George, and in the attack to employ 
the cannon and ammunition taken at Fort Loudon. The council at which 
this decision was made was held at Chota, Capt. Stuart being compelled 
to attend. The Captain was given to understand that he must accompany 
the expedition to Fort Prince George, and there assist in the reduction of 
the fort by manning the artillery for the Indians, and by beinor their 
enforced amanuensis in the correspondence with the fort. This prospect 
was so alarming to the Captain that he, from the moment of being made 
acquainted with the designs of the Cherokees with reference to himself, 
resolved to escape or perish in the attempt. He therefore privately 
communicated his purpose to his friend AttakuUakulla, and invoked his 
assistance to accomplish his release, which AttakuUakulla promptly 
pledged himself to give. Claiming Capt. Stuart as his prisoner, he 
announced to the other Indians his intention of going huntino- for 
a few days, and took the Captain with him. The utmost caution and 
celerity were required in order to prevent sui-prise from pursuit. Nine 
days and nights did they hasten on through the wilderness for Virginia, 



()8 irisTouy or Tennessee. 

Hhaping tlieir course by the sun and moon. On tlie tenth they fell in 
with M. party of ){()0 men at the hanks of! Holston River, sent out by Col. 
Bird for tho ruliel! of Fort Loudon. For his kindly ofliceH to Capt. Stuart 
Attakullakulla was loaded with provisions and presents, and sent back 
to prote(^t tlio oth(U- uiiliappy prisoners until such time as they could b(i 
ransomed, and to (ix(vrt his influence with his nation for tlie restoration of 
peace. 

The success of the CherokSos at Fort Loudon and the fact of the bat- 
tle of Etchowee with Col. Moiitgomerj' l)eini^ indecisive, or perhaps rather 
boin<^ favorabh^ to the Indiajis, oidy sorvcil to stimulato tluur spirit of 
aggression ; but the French in Canada being now reduced it became mucli 
surer than hitlierto to send from the north a force ade(|[ua,te to tlie defense 
of tho southern provinces. In pursuance of this 2>olicy of defense against 
the warlike Indians, Col. Grant arrived at Charleston with the British 
regulars (Mirl)' in 1.7<)1, and in company with a, provincial regiment raised 
f(U* the ])nr])oso, marcluHl for tlu^ Ch(U"okeo country. Among the field 
oflicors of this regiment were Middlc^ton, Laurens, Moultrie, Marion, Hu- 
ger and Pickens. Col. (Ji-iuit arrived with his (Command at Fort Prince 
George May 27, 1701. Attakullakulla, hearing of the apjn-oacli of this 
formidabhi army, hastened to the camp of Col. Grant, and vainly ]>roposed 
terms of peacu^; but knowing too wt^ll tlni story of Cherokee perfidy, tlie 
Colonel was deterftiined on severer measures Hum a treaty, tlie terms of 
Avhich were so soon forgotten. A fierce battle Avas therefore fought near 
the town t)f Etchowee on the same ground where a year before Montgom- 
ery was practically defeated. The engagement raged three hours, until 
the perseverance and bravery of the soldiers expelled the Cherokees from 
the field. After tho battle their granaries and corn fields were destroyed, 
and their wretclunl fainilies driven to the barrc^u niountains. Tiieir Avar- 
like spirit was for a time subdued, a,nd af, ilu^ eai-nest solicitation of Atta- 
kullakulla, the old and fi-iendly chic^f, peace was once more restored and 
ratified. The peace which succeeded this victory over the Cherokees 
brought with it a remarkable increase of population and prosperity. 

In 17(57, upon the application of the Cherokee nation, and at the rec- 
ommendation of Gov. Ti-yon, an a[)[)lication was made by North Carc^lina 
for the running of a dividing line lu^tween the western settlements of the 
Province and the hunting grounds of the Cherokees, the tribe of Indians 
most closely identified with the history of Tennessee. They were a 
formidable tribe, both with regard to numbers and to warlike prowess. 
The early history of this State is fall of incidents illustrative of tlieir 
courageous, revengeful and perfidious spirit. It had been found impos- 
sible to reconcile them with the Tuscaroras. AVlien tlie attempt was 



HISTOliY OF TENNESSEE. ()9 

made the Cherokees replied: " We can not live without war. Should we 
make peace with the Tuscaroras we must immediately look out for some 
other nation with whom ^ve may he euga<^ed in our l)eloved occupation." 
Animated by this sentiment they were constantly acting on the offensive. 
In the earlier ma[)S of the country the Tennessee River is called the 
Cherokee, as the Cumberland was early called the Shawanee, and similarly 
the name of this tribe was applied to the mountains near them, the word 
Currahee being only a corruption of Cherokee. They had almost uni- 
versally been conquerors in their wars with other nations, and their coji- 
tinued success made them arrogant, quarrelsome and defiant. About the 
year 1709 they took offense at the Chickasaws and made a hostile inva- 
sion of their country. At the Chickasaw Old Fields the inoffensive but 
brave Chickasaws met them with great spirit, the result being a sanguin- 
ary conflict and the total defeat of the Cherokees, who retired to their 
own village beyond the Cumberland and the Caney Fork. This defeat, 
occurring about the same time with the settlement on the Watauga, 
doubtless contributed much to the peaceful demeanor of the Indians to- 
ward that infant and feeble colony, and hence to its success. 

One of the institutions of most Indian tribes was tlie city of refuge, 
which, if a murderer or other criminal could once enter, Avas a sure pro- 
tection against punishment so long as he remained within its limits. 
Chota, five miles above the ruins of Fort Loudon was the city of refuge 
for the Cherokees. On a certain occasion an Englishman, after killing 
an Indian warrior in defense of his property, took refuge in Chota and 
found protection there so long as he chose to remain, but was warned 
that if he ventured outside some Cherokee would surely kill him on the 
first opportunity. How long he remained in Chota is not recorded, nor 
what was his fate upon leaving the beloved town. 

The Cherokees had a profound veneration for the relics of the Mound 
Builders, the origin of which, however, they knew nothing; but they 
considered them the vestiges of an ancient and numerous race, further 
advanced in the arts of civilized life than themselves. 

Early in 1772 the authorities of Virginia made a treaty with the 
Cherokees by which a boundary line was agreed upon, to run west from 
the White Top Mountain in northern latitude 36 degrees, 30 minutes. 
Almost immediately aftf^-ward the Watauga leases were made, which are 
referred to in the ch.apter on settlement, and also that of Jacob Brown. 
In the fall of 1774 negotiations were commenced between Richard Hen- 
derson & Co. and the Cherokees, which terminated in March, 1775, the 
treaty being held at W^atauga. At this treaty two deeds were obtained — 
one known as the "Path Deed," and the other as the "Great Grant." 
The boundaries expressed in the Path Deed were as follows: 



70 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

"All that tract, territory, or parcel of land beginning on the Holston 
Hiver, where the course of Powell's Mountain strikes the same ; thence 
up the said river as it meanders to where the Virginia line crosses the 
same; thence westwardly along the line run by Donelson et. at to a 
point six English miles eastward of the Long Island in the said Holston 
River ; thence a direct course toward the mouth of the Great Kanawha, until 
it reaches the top of Powell's Mountain ; thence westwardly along the said 
ridge to the beginning." The Great Grant Deed contained the follow- 
ing boundaries: 

" All that tract, territory or parcel of land situated, lying and being in 
North America, on the Ohio River, one of the eastern branches of the 
Mississi])pi River, beginning on the said Ohio River, at the mouth of Ken- 
tucky, Cherokee or what is known by the English as the Louisa River; 
thence running up said river, and the most northwardly fork of the same 
to the head spring thereof; thence a southeast course to the ridge of 
Powell's Mountain; thence westwardly along the ridge of said mountain 
unto a point from which a northwest course will hit or strike the head 
spring of the most northwardly branch of Cumberland River; thence 
down the said river, including all its waters, to the Ohio River ; thence up 
the said river as it meanders to the beginning." 

These two purchases, or the treaty under which they were made, 
were repudiated by both North Carolina and Virginia, as being made by 
private individuals, the States themselves, however, claiming the benefit 
of the treaty. About the time of the commencement of negotiations be- 
tween Col. Henderson & Co. and the Cherokees, occurred the first 
battle with the Indians in which Tennessee troops were engaged. This 
was the battle of the Kanawha or Point Pleasant, on the Ohio River, and 
here they displayed that adventure and prowess which have so signally 
characterized them during all periods of the history of their State. The 
tribes of Indians engaged in the work of destruction and massacre 
on the Virginia frontier were the Shawanees and other northern and west- 
ern tribes. Lord Dunmore took immediate and vigorous measures to 
repress the hostilities and punish the audacity of the enemy. Four reg- 
iments of militia and volunteers under Gen. Andrew Lewis, who built 
Fort Loudon, were ordered to march down the Great Kanawha to the Ohio. 
While on the march down the Great Kanawha, or, as it is called now, the 
New River, Gen. Lewis was joined by Capt. Evan Shelby, who had 
raised a company of upward of fifty men for the expedition in what are 
now Sullivan and Carter Counties. The entire army reached and en- 
camped upon the present site of Point Pleasant, on the 6tli of October. 
Early on the morning of the 10th the camp was attacked by a large body 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 71 

of Indians, and a sanguinary battle ensued which lasted the entire day, 
but which by skillful maneuvering and courageous fighting terminated 
in the evening in a total rout of the Indians, in their precipitate flight 
across the Ohio, and their return to their towns on the Scioto. The loss 
of the Indians in this hard and well-fought battle appears not to have 
been ascertained, but that of Gen. Lewis was twelve commissioned offi- 
cers killed or wounded, seventy -five non-commissioned officers killed and 
141 wounded. 

Capt. Evan Shelby's company consisted of the following persons: 
James Robertson, Valentine Sevier and John Sawyer were three of the 
orderly sergeants ; James Shelby, John Fiudley, Henry Sparr, Daniel 
Mungle, Frederick Mungle, John "Williams, John Comack, Andrew Tor- 
rence, George Brooks, Isaac Newland, Abram Newland, George Buddie, 
Emanuel Shoutt, Abram Bogard, Peter Forney, AVilliam Tucker, John 
Fain, Samuel Fain, Samuel Vance, Samuel Hamlley, Samuel Samples, 
Arthur Blackburn, Robert Handley, George Armstrong, William Casey, 
Mack Williams, John Stewart, Conrad Nave, Richard Burk, John Riley, 
Elijah Robertson, Rees Price, Richard Halliway, Jarret Williams, Julius 
Robinson, Charles Fielder, Benjamin Graham, Andrew Goff, Hugh 
O'Gullion, Patrick St. Lawrence, James Hughey, John Bradley, Basileel 
Maywell and Barnett O'Gulliou. 

After the battle of Point Pleasant a treaty was made between the 
Indians and Lord Dunmore, by which they relinquished all their claims 
to lands north of tlie Ohio River, and by the treaty with Henderson & 
Co. the Cherokees relinquished all their claim to the land lying between 
the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers : hence this immense tract of maornifi- 
cent country was at that time entirely fi-ee from Indian occupants as 
claimants. 

Previous to the conclusion of the Henderson Treaty, a remarkable 
speech was made by Oconostota, a Cherokee chief, whose name has oc- 
curred heretofore in this history. Oconostota had fought for the reten- 
tion of the country by his own people and was now opposed to the treaty, 
and though his speech was listened to with profound attention and all 
the respect due to so venerable an orator, yet its counsels were not 
heeded, and the cession was made. In the liglit of subsequent events, 
however, it can scarcely be said that the cession was unwise, notwith- 
standing the eloquence and prophetic nature of the speech of Oconostota, 
for had not the cession been made in March, 1775, it would have been 
made at a later time and at the close of a more or less protracted 
and sanguinary struggle. In his speech Oconostota reminded his audi- 
tory of the once floui'ishing cojiditiou of his nation, of the continual en- 



72 ' HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

croachments of the white people upon the consequently continually re- 
tiring Indian nations, who had been compelled to leave the homes of their 
ancestors to satisfy the insatiable greed of the white people. It was at 
one time hoped that these white people would not be willing to travel 
beyond the mountains, but now that fallacious hope had vanished, and 
the Cherokee lands were fast being absorbed and usurped, and the at- 
tempt was now being made to have those usurpations confirmed by a 
treaty in which the Cherokees would sign their own rights away, after 
the accomplishment of which the same encroaching spirit would again 
lead them upon other Cherokee lands, until finally the entire country 
which the Cherokees and their forefathers had occupied for so many 
centuries would be required, and the Cherokee nation once so great and 
formidable, reduced to a small remnant, would be compelled to seek a 
retreat in some far distant wilderness, there to dwell but a short time 
when the same greedy host would again approach with their banners of 
civilization, and unable to point out any further retreat for the Cherokees 
to seek, would proclaim the extinction of the whole race. The close of 
this oration was a strong appeal to his people to run all risks rather than 
consent to any further diminution of their territory. 

But when accomplished this treaty, like so many others, failed to sat- 
isfy a large portion of the Cherokee nation, and in the year 1776 they 
made great preparations for an attack on the settlements on the Watauga 
and Holston. Indications of these preparations became more and more 
evident and numerous. Jarret Williams and Robert Dews, two traders 
among them, from observations they had made arrived independently of 
each other at the conclusion that an exterminating war had been deter- 
mined upon. Evidence was also discovered that the Cherokees had been 
so influenced as to be ready to massacre all the back settlers of Carolina 
and Georgia. The commencement of the Cherokee hostility was the 
killing of two men named Boyd and Doggett, after the former of whom 
Boyd's Creek in Sevier County was named. John Stuart, superinten- 
dent of southern Indian affairs, instructed ])y the British War Depart- 
ment, dispatched orders to his deputies resident among the different tribes, 
to carry into effect the desires of the Government. Alexander Cameron, 
agent for the Cherokee nation, upon receipt of his instructions, lost no 
time in convening the chiefs and warriors; and notwithstanding efforts 
were made by the Americans to counteract his intrigues, Cameron was 
successful in enlisting the sympathies and assistance of a majority of the 
head men and warriors of the tribe. A formidable invasion was planned 
by the Cherokees, which would doulStless have been harassing and de- 
structive in the extreme but for the opportune assistance of Nancy Ward. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 73 

who has been named the " Pocahontas of the West," and who, allied to 
Home of the leading chiefs, obtained information of their plan of attack 
and immediately thereupon communicated this information to Isaac 
Thomas, a trader, her friend and a true American. Mr. Thomas without 
delay proceeded to the committee of safety in Virginia, which adopted 
such measures as were practicable for the defense of the frontier. 

The plan of attack by the Cherokees upon the settlements was for 
one division of the Indians under "Dragging Canoe" to fall upon the 
Holston settlement, and another division under "Old Abraham" to fall 
upon Watauga. These divisions were to consist of 350 men each. 
•Dragging Canoe's" division was defeated in a "miracle of a battle" at 
Heaton's Station near Long Island, in which the Indians lost upward of 
forty in killed and the settlers, only five wounded, all of whom recovered. 
Among the wounded was John Findley, who was supposed by Collins and 
by Ramsey not to have been heard of after the attack on Boone's camp 
in 17(39. " Old Abraham " with his forces made the attack on the fort 
at Watauga, where Capt. James Robertson was in command. Capt. John 
Sevier was also present, and although the attack was made with great 
vigor the defense was successful and the Indians were driven oif with 
considerable loss. It was during this siege that occurred the following 
romantic incident: As the Indians approached the fort they appear to 
have taken by surprise, and almost suiTounded, Miss Catharine Sherrill, 
who, discovering her danger just in time, started for the fort. She was a 
young woman, tall and erect of stature and fleet of foot as the roe. In 
her flight she was closely pursued, and as she approached the gate she 
found other Indians in her way, doubtless confident of a captive or of a 
victim to their guns and arrows. But turning suddenly she eluded her 
pursuers and leaped the palisades at another point, falling into the arms 
of Capt. John Sevier. In a few years after this sudden leap into the 
arms of the captain she became the devoted wife of the colonel, and the 
bosom companion of the general, the governor, the people's man and the 
patriot, John Sevier, and finally the mother of ten children, who could 
rise up and call her blessed. 

Another incident not less romantic but of quite a different character 
connected with this attack upon Fort Watauga, is worthy of commemora- 
tion. No one in the fort was wounded, but Mrs. Bean was captured near 
Watauga, and taken a prisoner to the station camp of the Indians over 
the Nollichucky. After being questioned by the Indians as to the num- 
ber and strength of ^ the forts occupied by the white people, she was con- 
demned to death, bound and taken to the top of one of the mounds to be 
burned. It was a custom wdth the Cherokees to assign to a certain 



74 HISTOIIY or TENNESSEE. 

woman the office of declaring what punishment should be inflicted upon 
great offenders, whether for instance, burning or other death, or whether 
they should be pardoned. The woman so distinguished was called the 
"beloved" or "pretty woman." At the time Mrs, Bean was condemned 
to death Mrs. Nancy "Ward was exercising the functions of the " pretty 
woman," and the question of carrying into execution the sentence against 
Mrs. Bean being referred to Mrs. Ward, she pronounced her pardon. 

A division of the Cherokees. (other than those commanded by Old 
Abraham and Dragging Canoe), commanded by Eaven, made a detour 
across the country with the intention of falling upon the frontier in Car- 
ter's Valley. Coming up the Holston to the lowest station, the Raven 
heard of the repulse at Watauga and of the bloody defeat at Long Island 
Flats, and hence retreated to his own towns. A fourth party of Indians 
fell upon the inhabitants scattered along the valley of Clinch River, and 
carried fire, devastation and massacre to the remotest cabin on Clinch, and 
to the Seven Mile Ford in Virginia, William Creswell, whose numer- 
ous descendants now live in Blount and Sevier Counties, was among the 
killed. 

This, as has been previously said, was about the time of the com- 
mencement of the Revolutionary war, and the hostilities of and invasion 
by the Cherokees were imputed to the instigation of British officers. The 
details of the conspiracy were traced to a concerted plan of Gen. Gage 
and John Stuart, the superintendent of Indian affairs for the southern 
district. The evidence appears conclusive that Mr. Stuart was engaged 
in arousing the resentment and in stimulating the bad passions of the sav- 
ages against the Americans who were struggling against aggression, and 
attempting to vindicate the rights of freemen. The plan of Gen. Gage 
and Mr. Stuart was to send a large body of men to west Florida, to pene- 
trate through the country of the Creeks, Cherokees and Chickasaws, and 
induce the warriors of those nations to join the body, and with this large 
force of British and Indian soldiers, invade the Carolinas and Virginia. 
But after the repulse of Peter Parker in the harbor of Charleston, prep- 
arations were immediately made by the colonists to march with an im- 
posing force upon the Cherokees, who at that time occupied, as places of 
residence or hunting grounds, the country west and north of the upper 
settlements in Georg-ia, west of the Carolinas and southwest of Virginia. 
Their country was known by three great geographical divisions, as the Lower 
Towns, having 350 warriors ; the Middle Settlements, having 878 warriors ;' 
and the Overhill Towns, having 757 warriors — a total of 1,991 warriors. 

Col. McBury and Maj. Jack, from Georgia, entered the Indian settle- 
ments on Tugalo, defeated the Indians, and destroyed their towns on 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. lO 

that river. Geu. Williamson, of Soutli Carolina, early in July was at the 
head of 1,150 men, in command of whom he encountered and defeated a 
large body of Esseneca Indians at Oconowee, destroyed their towns and 
a large amount of provisions. Burning Sugaw Town, Soconee, Keowee, 
Octatoy, Tugalo and Braso Town, he proceeded against Tomassee, Che- 
hokee and Eusturtee, at which latter place, observing a trail of the 
enemy, he made pursuit, overtook and vanquished 300 of their warriors, 
and destroyed the three last named towns. In the meantime North 
Carolina had raised an army under Gen. Rutherford, who, in concert 
with Col. Williamson and Col. Martin Armstrong, marched upon the 
Indians and fought an engagement with them at Cowhee Mountain, in 
which but one white man was killed. How many of the Indians were 
killed is not known, as the survivors carried off their dead. From Cowhee 
Mountain the army under Gen. Rutherford marched to the Middle Towns 
on the Tennessee River, expecting there to form a junction with Gen. 
Williamson. After waiting a few days they left here a strong guard 
and marched on to the Hiwassee towns, but all the towns were found 
evacuated, the warriors evidently not desiring to meet the troops under 
Gen. Rutherford. Few Indians were killed and few taken prisoners, but 
the toMais were burned and the buildings, crops and stock of the enemy 
very generally destroyed, leaving them in a starving condition. In this 
expedition of Gen. Rutherford from thirty to forty Cherokee towns were 
destroyed. The route pursued by this army has since been known as 
"Rutherford's Trace." While these movements were in progress ai> 
army under CoL_William Christian, of Virginia, was marching .into the 
heart of the Cherokee country to avenge the ravages of that nation on the 
settlements on the Watauga, Holston and Clinch. By the 1st of August 
several companies had assembled at the place of rendezvous, the Great 
Island of Holston. Soon afterward Col. Christian was re-enforced by 
about 400 North Carolina militia under Col. Joseph Williams, Col. Love 
and Maj. Winston. This entire army took up its march for the Chero- 
kee towns, about 200 miles distant. Crossing the Holston at Great 
Island they marched eight miles and encamped at Double Springs, on the 
head waters of Lick Creek. Here the army was joined by a force from 
Watauga, by which its strength was augmented to 1,800 men, armed with 
rifles, tomahawks, and butcher knives, all infantry except one company 
of light horse. Sixteen spies were sent forward to the French Broad, 
across which the Indians had boasted no white man should go. At the 
encampment that night, near the mouth of Lick Creek, Alexander Hardin 
informed Col. Christian that at the French Broad were assembled 3,000 
Indians prepared to dispute his passage. Hardin was ordered into camp 



7t> HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

with the spies, who, at the head of the Nollichucky, found the camps or 
the enemy deserted, but affording evidence that the Indians were in the 
neighborhood in large numbers. Col. Christian sent Hardin forward to 
inform the Indians that he would cross not only the French Broad, but 
also the Tennessee before he returned. As they came down Dumplin 
Creek they were met by a trader named Fallen with a flag of truce, of 
whom no notice was taken, in consequence of which he returned imme- 
diately and informed the Indians that the whites, as numerous as the 
trees of the forest, were marching into their country. 

Having arrived at the river Col. Christian ordered every mess to 
build a good fire and make such preparations as would lead the Indians 
to think that he intended to remain there several days. During the 
night a large detachment, under great difficulties, crossed the river near 
where Brabson's mill afterward stood and passed up the river on its 
southern bank. Next morning, when the main army crossed the river 
near the Big Island, marching forward in order of battle, they momentar- 
ily expected an attack from the Indians, but, to their surprise, found no 
trace of even a recent camp. It was afterward learned that after the 
departure of Fallen to meet Col. Christian with his flag of truce, an- 
other trader, by the name of Starr, who was in the Indian encampment, 
made a very earnest speech to the Indians, saying to them in effect that 
the Great Spirit had made the one race of white clay and the other of red; 
that he intended the former to conquer the latter ; that the pale face 
would certainly overcome the red man and occupy his country ; that it was 
useless, .therefore, to resist the onward movements of the white man, and 
advised an immediate abandonment of their purpose of defense, as that 
could only result in defeat. A retreat was made at once to their villages 
and to the fastnesses of the mountains. The next morning the army 
under Col. Christian resumed its march along the valley of Boyd's 
Creek, and down EUejoy to Little River, thence to the Tennessee, and on 
the march not an Indian was to be seen, but it was expected that on the 
opposite side of the Tennessee a formidable resistance would be made. 
Here also they were disappointed, for crossing the Little Tennessee they 
took possession of a town called Tamotlee, above the mouth of Tellico 
E-iver, and encamped in the deserted village. Next morning Great Island 
was taken without resistance, a panic having seized the Cherokee warriors, 
not one of whom could be found. But they were not for this reason to go 
unpunished. Their deserted towns and villages were burned and laid 
waste, as Neowee, Tellico and Chilhowee and others. Occasionally a sol- 
itary warrior was seen making his way from one town to another, but 
no one was taken prisoner. Such towns, however, as were known not to 




FROn PHOTO BfTHUSS. KOElLlill i BURS MSHmif 



James Robertson 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 77 

have consented to hostilities, as Chota, were not destroyed. This course 
was pursued by Col. Christian to convince the Indians, the Cherokees, 
that he was at war only with enemies. Sending out a few men with flags 
of truce requesting a talk with the chiefs, six or seven of them imme- 
diately came in, and in a few days several others came forward and pi-o- 
posed a cessation of hostilities. This was granted to take elBPect when a 
treaty should be made with the whole tribe, which was to assemble the 
succeeding May on Long Island. A suspension of hostilities followed, 
applicable to all the Cherokee towns but two, which were high up in the 
mountains on Tennessee River. These were reduced to ashes because 
they had burned a prisoner named Moore, taken some time previously 
near Watauga. Col. Christian's troops, having conquered a peace, re- 
turned to the settlement. 

But a part of the Cherokee nation was still hostile, panted for revenge 
and resolved not to participate in the comtemplated treaty. However 
two separate treaties were made, one at Dewitt's Corner, between the In- 
dians and commissioners from South Carolina; the other at Long Island, 
between several chiefs of the Overhill Towns, and Col. Christian and Col. 
Evan Shelby, commissioners from Virginia, and Waightstill Avery, Jo- 
seph Winston and Robert Lanier from North Carolina. By the former 
large cessions of territory were made on the Saluda and Savannah Rivers, 
and by the latter Brown's line was agreed upon as the boundary between 
the Indians and the settlements, and the Cherokees released lands as low 
down the Holston River as the mouth of Cloud's Creek, but the Chicka- 
maugas refused to join in the treaty. At this treaty, made at Fort Hen- 
ry, on the Holston River, near Long Island, July 20, 1777, between 
North Carolina and the Overhill Indians, the following among other ar- 
ticles were agreed upon: 

Article I. That hostilities shall forever cease between the said Cherokees and the peo- 
ple of North Carolina from this time forward, and that peace, friendship and mutual 
confidence shall ensue. 

By the second article all prisoners and property were to be delivered 
up to the agent to be appointed to reside among the Cherokees, and by 
the third article no white man was permitted to reside in or pass through 
the Overhill towns without a certificate signed by three justices of the 
peace of North Carolina, or Washington County, Va., the certificate 
to be approved by the agent. Any person violating this article was to be 
apprehended by the Cherokees and delivered to the said agent, whom 
they were to assist in conducting such person to the nearest justice of 
the peace for adequate punishment, and the Cherokees were authorized 
to apply to their own use the effects of such person so trespassing. Ar- 

5 



78 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

tide fourth provided for the punishment of murderers, both Indians and 
white men, and article fifth defined the boundary line as follows : 

" That the boundary line between the State of North Carolina and the 
said Overhill Cherokees shall forever hereafter be and remain as follows : 
Beginning at a point in the dividing line which during this treaty hath been 
agreed upon between the said Overhill Cherokees and the State of Vir- 
ginia, where the line between that State and North Carolina, hereafter to 
be extended, shall cross or intersect the same ; running thence a right 
line to the north bank of Holston River at the mouth of Cloud's Creek, be- 
ing the second creek below the Warrior's Ford at the mouth of Carter's 
Valley ; thence a right line to the highest point of a mountain called the 
High Rock or Chimney Top; thence a right line to the mouth of Camp 
Creek, otherwise called McNamee's Creek on the south bank of NoUi- 
chucky River, about ten miles or thereabouts, below the mouth of Great 
Limestone, be the same more or less, and from the mouth of Camp Creek 
aforesaid, a southeast course into the mountains which divide the hunting 
grounds of the Middle Settlements from those of the Overhill Cherokees. 
And the said Overhill Cherokees, in behalf of themselves, their heirs and 
successors, do hereby freely in open treaty, acknowledge and confess that 
all the lands to the east, northeast and southeast of the said line, and ly- 
ing south of the said line of Virginia, at any time heretofore claimed by 
the said Overhill Cherokees, do of right now belong to the State of North 
Carolina, and the said subscribing chiefs, in behalf of the said Overhill 
Cherokees, their heirs and successors, do hereby in open treaty, now and 
forever, relinquish and give up to the said State, and forever quit claim 
all right, title, claim and demand of, in and to the land comprehended in 
the State of North Carolina, by the line aforesaid." 

This treaty was signed by AVaightstill Avery, William Sharpe, Rob- 
ert Lanier and Joseph Winston, on the part of North Carolina, and by 
the following chiefs and warriors, each one making his mark: Oconostota, 
The Old Tassel, The Raven, Willanawaw, Ootosseteh, Attusah, Abram 
of Chilhowee, Rollowch, Toostooh, Amoyali, Oostossetih, Tillehaweh. 
Queeleekah, Annakelinjah, Annacekah, Skeahtukah, AttakullakuUa, 
Ookoonekah, Kataquilla, Tuskasah and Sunnewauh. Witnesses, Jacob 
Womack, James Robins, John Reed, Isaac Bledsoe, Brice Martin and 
John Kearns. Interpreter, Joseph Vann. 

The negotiations and details of this treaty of Holston, which com- 
menced on the 30th of June and was concluded on the 20th of July, are 
of unusual interest, but too numerous and requiring too much space to be 
introduced into this work. And while much was hoped from the friendly 
and yielding disposition of the large number of chiefs and warriors in 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 79 

attendance, yet as some distinguished chiefs were absent, peace and tran- 
quility could not be considered as absolutely assured before the views 
and intentions of these absent chiefs were known. Judge Friend, the 
Dragging Canoe, the Lying Fish and Young Tassel were among the 
absent ones. Dragging Canoe was chief of the Chickamaugas, who 
remained dissatisfied in part, at least, as the result of British intrigue. 
In order to counteract so far as practicable the iulluence of the British 
agents, Gov. Caswell directed that a superintendent of Indian affairs 
reside among them, and the North Carolina commissioners appointed 
Capt. James Robertson to that important position. Capt. Robertson car- 
ried, as a present from Gov. Caswell, a dog to the Raven of Chota, pro- 
posing and hoping for peace. Swanucah and some of the more aged chiefs 
were disposed to peace, but they were unable to suppress the warlike 
spirit of the Dragging Canoe and his hostile tribe. 

Some years previous to the time at which we have now arrived cer- 
tain families from West Virginia, desiring to reach west Florida, built 
boats on the Holston, and following that stream and the Tennessee 
reached the lower Mississippi by water. They were obliged to employ 
Indians and Indian traders as guides. Occasionally a boat was wrecked 
between the Chickamauga towns and the lower end of the Muscle Shoals, 
and then its crew became an easy prey to the Indians whose settlements 
were extending along the "rapids from year to yean The Chickamaugas 
were the first to settle in this locality, and usually failed to attend treaties 
of peace held by other portions of the Cherokee nations, and hence did 
not consider themselves bound by treaty stipulations entered into by the 
other portions of the nation. Leaving their towns near Chickamauga 
they moved lower down and laid the foundations of the five lower towns — 
Running Water, Nickajack, Long Island Village, Crow Town and Look 
Out. These towns soon became populous and the most formidable part 
of the Cherokee nation. Here congregated the worst men from all the 
Indian tribes, and also numerous depraved white men, all of whom for a 
number of years constituted the " Barbary Powers of the West.." They 
were a band of reckless, lawless banditti of more than 1,000 warriors. 
Having refused the terms of peace proffered by Col. Christian, having 
committed numerous atrocities upon the frontier, and being the central 
point from which marauding expeditions radiated for murderous and all 
criminal purposes, it was determined to invade their country and destroy 
their towns. A strong force was therefore ordered into the field by Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina under the command of Col. Evan Shelby, 
whose name is familiar to all Tennesseans in connection with the defense 
of the pioneers against the savages. Col. Shelby's force consisted of 



80 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

1,000 volunteers from these two States, and a regiment of twelve months' 
men under Col. John Montgomery, this regiment having been raised as 
a re-enforcement to Gen. George Rogers Clarke in his expedition to Kas- 
kaskia, Vincennes, etc., but was temporarily diverted from that purpose 
to assist in the reduction of the Chickamaugas. This expedition was fitted 
out on the individual responsibility of Isaac Shelby. The army rendez- 
voused at the mouth of Big Creek, a few miles above the present location 
of Rogersville. From this rendezvous, having made canoes and pirogues, 
the troops descended the Holston as rapidly as possible, and reaching the 
Chickamauga towns took them completely by surprise. Upon discover- 
ing the approach of Col. Shelby's command the Indians fled in all direc- 
tions to the woods and mountains without giving battle, pursued by 
Shelby, and losing in killed at the hands of his command upward of forty 
of their warriors, most of their towns being destroyed, and about 20,000 
bushels of corn being captured. They also lost about $20,000 worth of 
stores and goods. This success of Col. Shelby was very fortunate, as it 
prevented Gov. Hamilton, of Canada, from forming a grand coalition of 
all the northern and southern Indians, to be aided by British regulars in 
a combined attack upon the settlers on the western waters. 

After the battle of King's Mountain, in which Tennessee officers and 
soldiers bore such an honorable and conspicuous part, Col. John 
Sevier became apprehensive of an outbreak from the Cherokees, in the 
absence of so many men and arms, and sent home Capt. Russell to 
guard the frontier settlers. Information was brought in by two traders, 
Thomas and Harlin, that a large body of Indians was on the march to as- 
sail the frontier, but before the attack was made Col. Sevier himself, 
Avith his vigorous troops, arrived at home in time to assist in repelling the 
attacks of the Indians. Without losing any time Sevier set on foot 
an offensive expedition against the Cherokees, putting himself at the 
head of about 100 men and setting out in advance of the other troops. 
Coming upon a body of Indians he pursued them across French Broad 
to Boyd's Creek, near which he drew on an attack by the Indians. Se- 
vier's command was divided into three divisions — the center under Col. 
Sevier, the right wing under Maj. Jesse Walton, and the left wing 
under Maj. Jonathan Tipton. The victory won here by Sevier was de- 
cisive. The Indians lost twenty-eight in killed and many wounded, who 
escaped being taken prisoners. Of the white troops none were killed 
and only three seriously wounded. This rapid expedition saved the fron- 
tier from a bloody invasion, as the Indian force which he thus broke up 
was large and well armed. 

A few days after this repulse of the enemy Col. Sevier's little 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 81 

army was re-enforced by the arrival of Col. Arthur Campbell with his 
regiment from Virginia and by Maj. Martin with his troops from Sulli- 
van Cou.nty. He then had at his command a body of about 700 mounted 
men. With this force he crossed Little Tennessee three miles below 
Chota, while the main body of the Indians were lying in wait for him at 
the ford one mile below Chota. The Indians were so disconcerted by his 
crossing at the lower ford instead of at the upper, and so overawed by the 
imposing array of so large a body of cavalry, that they made no attack, 
but instead, upon his approach, hastily retreated and escaped. The 
troops pushed on to Chota and proceeded to reduce Chilhowee, eight miles 
above. Every town between the Little Tennessee and the Hiwassee was 
reduced to ashes. The only white man killed in this expedition was Capt. 
Elliott, of Sullivan County. Near to Hiwassee, after it was burned, 
an Indian warrior was captured, and by him a message was sent to the 
Cherokees proposing terms of peace. At Tellico the army was met by 
Watts and Noonday who were ready to make terms. After passing 
Hiwassee Town the army continued its march southwardly until it came 
near the Chickamauga, or Look Out Towns, where they encamped, and 
next day marching into them found them deserted. They proceeded 
down the Coosa to the long leafed or yellow pine and cypress swamp, 
where they began an indiscriminate destruction of towns, houses, grain 
and stock, the Indians fleeing precipitately before them. Returning to 
Chota they held a council with the Cherokees which lasted two days. A 
peace was here agreed upon, after which the army, crossing near the 
mouth of Nine Mile Creek, returned home. 

The Cherokees, notwithstanding their repeated failures and chastise- 
ments, were still unable to repress their deep passion for war and glory 
and strong love of country, which continued to further aggression and 
hostility. They still prowled around the remote settlements committing 
theft and murder. Col. Sevier, therefore, in March, 1781, collected to- 
gether 130 men and marched with them against the Middle Settlements 
of the Cherokees, taking by surprise the town of Tuckasejah, on the head 
waters of Little Tennessee. Fifty warriors were slain, and fifty women and 
children taken prisoners. About twenty towns and all the grain and corn 
that could be found were burned. The Indians of the Middle Towns were 
surprised and panic stricken, and consequently made but a feeble resist- 
ance. During the summer a party of Cherokees invaded the settlements 
then forming on Indian Creek ; and Gen. Sevier, with a force of 100 men, 
marched from Washington County, crossed Nollichucky, proceeded to 
near the site of the present town of Newport, on French Broad, crossed 
that river, and also the Big Pigeon, and unexpectedly fell upon the trail 



82 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

of the Indians, surrounded their camp, and by a sudden fire killed seven- 
teen of them, the rest escaping. This was on Indian Creek, now in Jeffer- 
son County. 

In the spring of 1782 settlements were formed south of the French 
Broad. Of this intrusion the Cherokees complained, and Gov. Martin 
wrote to Col. Sevier in reference thereto, asking him to prevent the en- 
croachments complained of, and to warn the intruders off the lands re- 
served to the Indians, and if they did not move off according to warning he 
was to go forth with a body of militia and pull down every cabin and 
drive them off, "laying aside every consideration of their entreaties to 
the contrary." 

Notwithstanding the efforts of a part of the Cherokee nation in the in- 
terest of peace, it continued impossible to restrain the majority of the 
warriors. They could plainly see that the white man was steadily en- 
croaching upon their hunting grounds and reservations, and that there 
was no remedy, at least there was no remedy but war. Treaty lines were 
but a feeble barrier against the expansive force of the settlements. Unless 
this feeble barrier could be made as strong as the famous Chinese wall, 
and as the Raven expressed it at the treaty of Holston, be as "a wall to 
the skies." it would not be out of the power of the people to pass it; and 
so long as it was not out of their power to pass it it served only as a tem- 
porary check upon their advance, and as a means of tantalizing the red 
proprietors of the soil into a false sense of security of possession, of rais- 
ing his hopes of retaining the beautiful and beloved home of his ances- 
tors, only to dash them cruelly to the ground in a few short weeks or 
months at most. Even the Indians most peacefully disposed complained 
that there was no line drawn according to promise in former treaties 
which should serve as a boundary between the two races. However, in 
May, 1783, the western boundary of North Carolina was fixed by the 
Legislature of that State as follows : 

"Beginning on the line which divides this State from Virginia, at a 
point due north of the mouth of Cloud's Creek; running thence west to 
the Mississippi ; thence down the Mississippi to the thirty-fifth degree of 
north latitude ; thence due east until it strikes the Appalachian Moun- 
tains ; thence with the Appalachian Mountains to the ridge that divides 
the waters of the French Broad River and the waters of the Nollichucky 
River ; and with that ridge until it strikes the line described in the act of 
1778, commonly called Brown's Line; and with that line and those sev- 
eral water-courses to the beginning." 

There was reserved, however, a tract for the Cherokee hunting 
grounds as folloM^s: 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 83 

"•Begiiiiiing at tlie Tennessee River where the southern boundary of 
North Carolina intersects the same, nearest the Chickamauga Towns; 
thence up the middle of the Tennessee and Holston Rivers to the middle 
of French Broad River, which lines are not to include any islands in said 
river, to the mouth of Big Pigeon River ; thence up the same to the head 
thereof; thence along the dividing ridge between the waters of Pigeon 
River and Tuskejah River to the southern boundary of this State." 

About this time occurred the unfortunate killing of Untoola, or Gun 
Rod of Citico, a Cherokee chief, known to the whites as Butler. It was 
when attempts were being made to revive peaceful relations between the 
white and Indian populations. The aged and wise among the Cherokees 
could clearly see the futility of continuing hostilities with the whites, 
and their councils had at length prevailed over the inconsiderateness and 
rashness of the young men and warriors. But Butler was one of the 
<ihiefs who was opposed to peace, and when he heard of the presence of 
Col. James Hubbard ami a fellow soldier, who were in the Cherokee 
country for the purpose of trafficking for corn and other necessities, he, 
in company with a brave who still adhered to his fortunes, went forth to 
meet Col. Hubbard, against whom, according to Indian ideas of honor, 
he had special reasons for enmity, and attempted to put him out of the 
way. After meeting Hubbard, and maneuvering for some time to gain 
the advantage of position. Butler suddenly, and as quick as lightning, 
raised his gun and fired upon Col. Hubbard, the ball passing between 
his head and ear, grazing the skin and slightly stunning him ; Butler and 
his attendant brave suddenly tiarned their horses' heads and galloped rap- 
idly away. Recovering himself Col. Hubbard seized his rifle, which he 
had leaned against a tree for the purpose of convincing Butler of his 
peaceful intentions, fired upon him when at a distance of about eighty 
yards, hitting him in the back and bringing him to the ground. Ap- 
proaching the wounded Indian hard words passed between the two, and 
at length Col. Hubbard, unable to loncjer bear the taunts and insults of 
Butler, clubbed his gun and killed him at a single blow. The companion 
of Butler, inadvertently jDermitted to escape, carried the news of Butler's 
death and the manner of it to the Cherokee nation, and they in retalia- 
tion committed many acts of revenge and cruelty, notwithstanding Gov. 
Martin made every reasonable efPx)rt to preserve the peace. The Gover- 
nor was informed that Col. Hubbard had killed Untoola, or Butler, with- 
out any provocation, and sent a conciliatory "talk" to the Cherokees. 
He also sent a letter to Gen. Sevier informing him that he had given 
directions for the apprehension of Hubbard and his retention in jail until 
such time as a trial should be obtainable. 



84 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Besides the killing of Butler tlie Clierokees had other causes for dis- 
satisfaction. The limits set by the Franklin treaties had not been, be- 
cause they could not be, observed by the settlers. The consequences of 
these continual encroachments was that it was thought necessary by Con- 
gress that a treaty should be held under the authority of the United 
States. In order to hold and establish such a treaty Benjamin Hawkins, 
Andrew Pickens, Joseph Martin and Lachlin Mcintosh were appointed 
government commissioners. By these commissioners the chiefs of the 
respective towns were invited to a conference at Hopewell on the Keowee 
in South Carolina. This treaty of Hopewell was concluded November 
28, 1785. By it the boundary which had been the chief cause of com- 
plaint by the Indians was made to conform very nearly to the lines of the 
deed to Henderson & Co. and the treaty of Holston in 1777. The fourth 
article of this treaty fixing the boundary was as follows: 

Article 4. The boundary allotted to the Cherokees for tlieir hunting grounds be- 
tween the said Indians and the citizens of the United States within the limits of the Unit- 
ed States of America is, and sliall be the following, viz. : Beginning at the mouth of Duck 
River on the Tennessee; thence running northeast to the ridge dividing the waters running 
into Cumberland from those running into the Tennessee'; thence eastwardly along the said 
ridge to a northeast line to be run which shall strike the river Cumberland forty miles 
above Nashville; thence along the said line to the river; thence up the said river to 
the ford where the Kentucky road crosses the river; thence to Campbell's line near the 
Cumberland Gap; thence to the mouth of Cloud's Creek on Holston (River); thence to the 
Chimney-top Mountain; thence to Camp Creek near the mouth of Big Limestone on Nol - 
lichucky; thence a southerly course six miles to a mountain; thence south to the North 
Carolina line; thence to the South Carolina Indian boundary and along the same south- 
west over the top of the Oconee Mountain till it shall strike Tugalo River; thence a direct 
line to the top of the Currahee Mountain; thence to the head of the south fork of Oconee 
River. 

It was also provided in the articles of treaty that if any citizen of the 
United States should settle within the above described Indian domain, 
and would not remove within six months after the conclusion of the 
treaty, he should forfeit all rights of protection from the Government; 
and it was further provided that all Indians committing murders or other 
crimes should be surrendered to the authorities of the Government for 
trial, and all white persons committing crimes against the Indians should 
be punished as if such crimes had been committed against white citizens ; 
that the United States had the sole right of regulating trade with the In- 
dians ; that the Indians should have the right to send a deputy to Con- 
gress; that the punishment of the innocent under the idea of relaliation 
was unjust and should not be practiced by either party, and that the 
hatchet should be forever buried and friendship be universal. The wit- 
nesses who signed the articles were William Blount, Maj. Samuel Tay- 
lor, John Owen, Jesse Walton, Capt. John Cowan. Thomas Gregg, W. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 85 

Hazzartl, James Maclisou (iiitrepreter), and Arthur Coody (interpre- 
ter). The Indians were represented by the following chiefs, who made 
their marks to the articles : Koatohee, or Corn Tassel, of Toquo ; Scho- 
lanetta, or Hanging Man of Chota; Tuskegatahue, or Long Fellow, of 
Chistohee ; Ooskwha, or Abraham, of Chilhowee ; Kolacnsta, or Prince, of 
North; Newota, or th6 Gritz, of Chickamauga; Konatota, or the Rising 
Fawn, of Hiwassee; Tuckasee, or Young Terrapin, of Ellejoy; Toosta- 
ka, or the Waker, of Oostanawa; Untoola, or Gun Rod, of Citico; Unsuo- 
kanil, or Buffalo White Calf, ''New Cussee;" Kostayeck, or Sharp Fel- 
low, Watauga; Chonosta, or Cowe; Cheskoonhoo, or Bird in Close, of 
Tomotlee ; Tuckassee, or Terrapin, of Hightower ; Chesetoah, or ■ the 
Babbit, of Flacoa; Chesecotetona, or Yellow Bird, of the Pine Log; 
Sketaloska, or Second Man, of Tellico; Chokasatabe, or Chickasaw Kil- 
ler, Tosonta; Onanoota, of Koosoati; Ookoseeta, or Sour Mush, of Kool- 
oque ; Umatooetha, of Lookout Mountain ; Tulco, or Tom, of Chatauga ; 
Will, of Akoha ; Necatee, of Sawta ; Amokontakona, or Kutcloa ; Kowetata- 
bee, of Frog Town ; Keukuch, of Talkoa ; Tulatiska, of Choway ; Wooa- 
looka, the Waylayer, of Chota ; Tatlausta, or Porpoise, of Talassee ; John, 
of Little Tellico ; Skeleelack ; Akonalucta, the Cabin ; Cheanoka, of Kawe- 
takac, and Yellow Bird. 

This treaty was signed with great unanimity by the chiefs of the 
Cherokees, as well it might be considering what they gained. A 
glance at the map of the State will show that the United States com- 
missioners set aside the treaty made by North Carolina in that State 
(if that can be called a treaty in which the Indians had no voice) so 
far as to recede to the Cherokees nearly all of the territory in this State 
between the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers except that north of the 
mouth of Duck River. The surrender of this territory was made to con- 
ciliate the Cherokees, but it failed of permanent influence for peace, and 
gave great dissatisfaction to the border settlers, whose boundaries were 
thereby very much contracted. William Blount, then in Congress from 
North Carolina, gave it all the opposition in his power, arguing that Con- 
gress had no authority to make a treaty which was repugnant to the laws 
of North Carolina concerning lands within her limits. 

This view, however, seems not to have obtained in Congress, for with- 
in three months from the time of the conclusion of this treaty with the 
Cherokees, a treaty was concluded January 10, 1786, between the same 
commissioners, with the exception of Mr. Mcintosh, and the Chickasaw 
nation, by which their boundaries were for the first time definitely fixed. 
The following were the boundaries established between the Chickasaws 
and the United States: 



80 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Begiuaing on the ridge that divides the waters ruaaing into the Cumberland from 
those running into the Tennessee, at a point on a line to be run northeast, which shall 
strike the Tennessee at the mouth of Duck River; thence running westerly along the said 
ridge till it shall strike the Ohio; thence down the southern banks thereof to the Missis- 
sippi; thence down the same to the Choctaw line of Natchez district; thence along the said 
line to the line of the district eastwardly as far as the Chickasaws claimed and lived and 
hunted on November 29, 1783; thence the said boundary eastwardly shall be the lands al- 
lotted to tlie Choctaws and Cherokees to live and hunt on and the lands at present in the 
possession of the Creeks, saving and reserving for the establishment of a trading post a tract 
or parcel of land to be laid out at the lower post of the Muscle Shoals at the mouth of Oco- 
chappo, in a circle, the diameter of which shall be five miles on the said river, which post 
and the lands annexed thereto, shall be to the use and under the Government of the Unit- 
ed States of America. 

The usual provisions concerning prisoners, criminals, stolen lior^s, 
Indian trade, etc., were established. This treaty was signed by Benja- 
min Hawkins, Andrew Pickens and Joseph Martin, commissioners on 
the part of the United States, and by Piomingo, head warrior and first 
minister of the Chickasaw nation; Mingatushka, one of the leading 
chiefs, and Latopoya, first beloved man of the nation. Not long after 
the conclusion of the treaty of Hopewell with the Cherokees, an attack 
was made by some Indians belonging to this nation on some settlers on 
the Holston. Mr. Biram's house was attacked and two men killed. A 
few of the settlers hastily erected temporary defenses, while the others 
fell back upon the settlements above. To again check these atrocities. 
Gen. Sevier adopted the policy so frequently pursued by him with 
salutary effect, viz. : that of suddenly penetrating with a strong force in- 
to the heart of the Cherokee country. This invasion of Gen. Sevier 
resulted in the killing of fifteen warriors and of the burning of the val- 
ley towns, and although the pursuit from motives of military expediency 
was abandoned, yet it had the effect of preventing aggressions for some 
considerable time. Yet further measures of conciliation were not con- 
sidered unwise by either North Carolina or the State of Franklin which 
had been in operation about two years. The former State sent Col. 
Joseph Martin into the Cherokee nation on a tour of observation. Col. 
Martin on his return wrote Gov. Caswell, May 11, 1786, to the effect 
that affairs were not yet by any means in a settled condition, that two or 
three parties of Cherokees had been out on an expedition to secure satis- 
faction for the murder, by a Mr. McClure and some others, of four of their 
young men ; that these parties had returned with fifteen scalps and were 
satisfied to remain at peace if the whites were, but if they wanted war 
they could have all of that they might want ; that there were great prepar- 
ations making among the Creeks, instigated as he believed by the 
French and Spaniards for an expedition against the settlers on the Cum- 
berland. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 87 

Gov. Sevier, in order if possible to maintain peace between his State 
and the Indians, appointed commissioners to negotiate another treaty 
with the Cherokees, the commissioners being William Cocke, Alexander 
Outtaw, Samuel Wear, Henry Conway and Thomas Ingle. Negotiations 
were begun at Chota Ford July 31. 1786, and concluded at Coyatee 
August 3. The chiefs who conducted the negotiations were Old Tassel 
and Hanging Maw. The proposition made to the Indians was that if the 
Cherokees would .give up the murderers among them, return the stolen 
horses, and permit the whites to settle on the north side of the Tennessee 
and Holston, lis they intended to do at any rate, the whites would live at 
pSace with them and be friends and brothers. The land claimed in this 
treaty was the island in the Tennessee at the mouth of the Holston, and 
from the head of the island to the dividing ridge between Holston, Little 
Eiver and Tennessee to the Blue Ridge and the lands sold to them by 
North Carolina on the north side of the Tennessee. These terms were 
agreed to and the treaty signed by the two chiefs named above. 

During the existence of the State of Franklin the Cherokees were 
comparatively quiet, having a wholesome dread of the courage and ability 
of Gov. Sevier ; but with the fall of the Franklin government they began 
again to manifest a desire to renew hostilities, and an Indian invasion 
was regarded as imminent. Messengers were therefore sent to Gen. 
Sevier, who was in the eastern part of the Tv^rritory, who, after his fail- 
ure at the siege at Tipton's house, was immediately himself again, and at the 
head of a body of mounted men upon the frontier ready, as of old to guard 
and protect its most defenseless points. On July 8. 1788, Gen. Sevier and 
James Hubbert, one of his old Franklin officers, issued an address to the 
inhabitants in general recommending that every station be on its guard, 
and also that every good man that could be spared report to Maj. Hous- 
ton's station to repel the enemy if possible. 

Just before Gen. Sevier started out on this expedition a most atro- 
cious massacre occurred of the family of a Mr. Kirk, who lived about 
twelve miles from Knoxville, on the southwest side of Little River. 
During the absence of Mr. Kirk from home, an Indian named Slim Tom, 
who was well known to the family, approached the house and asked for 
something to eat. After being supplied he withdrew, but soon returned 
with a party of Indians, who fell upon and massacred the entire family, 
leaving them dead in the yard. Not long afterward Mr. Kirk returned, 
and, seeing the horrible condition of his dead family, immediately gave 
the alarm to the neighborhood. The militia, under command of Sevier, 
assembled to the number of several hundred, and severely punished the 
Indians in several portions of the Territory, though they generally fled 



88 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

before the troops to tlie mountains. A friendly Indian by the name of 
Abraham lived with his son on the south side of the Tennessee. When 
th^ troops came to the south side of the river opposite Abraham's hovise, 
they sent for him and his son to cross over to them, and afterward Abra- 
ham was sent to bring in the Tassel and another Indian, that a talk 
might be held with them, a flag of truce being also displayed to assure 
the Indians of their peaceful intentions. The Indians, when they had 
crossed the river under these conditions and assurances, were put into a 
house. Gen. Sevier being absent on business connected with his com- 
mand, young Kirk, a son of the man whose family had just before been • 
massacred, was permitted to enter the house with tomahawk in hand, ac- 
companied by Hubbard. There Kirk struck his tomahawk into the head 
of one of the Indians, who fell dead at his feet, the troops looking in 
through the window upon the deed. The other Indians, five or six in 
number, immediately understood the fate in store for them, and bowing 
their heads and casting their eyes to the ground, each in turn received 
the tomahawk as had the first, and all fell dead at the feet of young 
Kirk, the avenger. Thus was committed an act as base and treacherous 
as any ever committed by the red man. Gen. Sevier returning, learned 
of the commission of this crime, saw at a glance wdiat must be the inevita- 
ble effects of the rash act, and remonstrated with young Kirk for the 
cruel part he had played, but was answered by him that if he (Sevier) 
had suffered at the hands of the murderous Indians as he had done, he 
would have acted in the same way. Kirk was sustained by a number of 
the troops, and Sevier was obliged to overlook the flagitious deed. 

The massacre of Kirk's family was followed by that of many others. 
A man named English was killed near Bean's Station, and also James 
Kirkpatrick. Some were killed near Bull Run, others north of Knox- 
ville, and many others on the roads to Kentucky and West Tennessee. 
Capt. John Fayne, with some enlisted men, and Capt. Stewart, who had 
been sent to Houston's Station, were sent out to reconnoiter the adjacent 
country. They crossed the Tennessee and entered an apple orchard to 
gather some fruit. Some Indians lying in wait suffered them to march 
into the orchard without molestation, and then while they were gathering 
the fruit fell upon them and drove them into the river, killing sixteen, 
wounding four and taking one prisoner. This massacre occurred near a 
town named Citico. The killed were afterward found by Capt. Evans, 
horribly mutilated, and by him buried. The war was continued for sev- 
eral weeks with success to the south of the Tennessee, and finally the 
troops returned home. 

The events above narrated mainly occurred in the eastern part of this 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 89 

« 

State. An attempt will now be made to relate as succinctly as may be, 
and yet with a sujficiency of detail, similar events that had been for some 
years simultaneously occurring upon the Cumberland. The proximity 
of the Chickasaws to the settlements on the Cumberland had been cause 
for serious apprehension ; yet, notwithstanding this, the i&rst attack upon 
them was made by the Creeks and Cherokees. This was in the year 
1780, and was made, not by a large force of Indians in battle array, but 
by small parties upon individuals or small parties of white men. In 
April of that year the Indians killed an elder and younger Milliken, Jo- 
seph Bernard, Jonathan Jennings, Ned Carver and William Neely, all 
in the vicinity of Nashville; at Eaton's Station, James Mayfield; at 
Mansker's Lick, Jesse Ballentine, John Shockley, David Goin and Risby 
Kennedy; at Bledsoe's Lick, William Johnson; at Freeland's Station, D. 
Larimer, and near Nashville, Isaac Lefevre, Solomon Phillips, Samuel 
Murray and Bartlett Benfroe. About this time occurred the massacre 
at Battle Creek, in Robertson County, recited in detail in the history of 
that county. The Indians engaged in this massacre were Chickasaws, and 
the reason given by them for its commission was that Gen. George 
Rogers Clarke had that year built Fort Jefferson, eighteen miles below 
the mouth of the Ohio, on the east side of the Mississippi. All the ter- 
ritory west of the Tennessee River they claimed, and they were especially 
offended at Gen. Clarke's intrusion, upon which they became the allies of 
the English. Isolated cases of murder were numerous for years in these 
settlements, the names of the killed being generally reserved for insertion 
in the histories of the counties in which the murders occurred, in order 
to avoid unnecessary repetition. In April, 1781, a determined attack 
was made by a numerous body of Cherokees on the fort at the Bluff, and 
nineteen horsemen, who sallied forth to drive them off, were defeated 
with a loss of seven killed, four wounded and some of their horses stolen. 
At this battle occurred the famous onset of the dogs upon the Indians, 
an anomaly in warfare, and which enabled nearly all of those not killed 
to regain the fort in safety. Mrs. Robertson, who directed the guard to 
let slip the dogs, pertinently remarked that the Indians' fear of dogs and 
love of horses proved the salvation of the whites on this occasion. In 
1782 John Tucker, Joseph Hendricks and David Hood were fired upon 
at the French Lick. The first two, though wounded, escaped through 
the assistance of their friends. David Hood was shot down, scalped, 
stamped upon and left by the Indians for dead, in their chase after 
Tucker and Hendricks. Hood, supposing the Indians had gone, slowly 
picked himself up and began to walk toward the fort, but to his disap- 
pointment and dismay he saw the same Indians just before him making 



90 HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE, 

* 

sport of his misfortunes and mistake. Tliey then made a second attack 
upon him, inflicting other apparently mortal wounds, and again left him 
for dead. He fell in a brush heap in the snow, where he lay all night. 
The next morning being found by his blood he was taken home and 
placed in an outhouse for dead, but to the surprise of all he revived and 
lived for many years. 

The continuance, frequency and savageuess of these depredations led 
many of the people on the Cumberland to seriously consider the propri- 
ety of breaking up the settlements and going away to Kentucky, or to 
some place where it was hoped they might live in peace. Gen. Robert- 
sou earnestly opposed the plan, as it was impossible to get to Kentucky, 
and equally so to reach the settlements on the Holston. The only plan 
which contained an element of practicability was to go down the river to 
Illinois, and even to the execution of this plan there seemed insuperable 
obstacles, the principal one being to build the boats. This could not be 
done without timber; the timber was standing in the woods, and the 
woods were full of Indians. 

In 1783, after further ravages by the Chickasaws, Gen. Robertson ob- 
tained a cession from them by which they relinquished to North Carolina 
a region of country extending nearly forty miles south of the Cumber- 
land to the ridge dividing the tributaries of that stream from those of 
the Duck and Elk Rivers. This cession, however, did not cause inva- 
sions and murders to cease. Instigated by the Spaniards at a conference 
held at Walnut Hills, they returned to the settlements evidently with the 
renewed determination to kill as many of the settlers as possible. In 
order to neutralize the influence of the Spaniards Gen. Robertson opened a 
correspondence with one of the Spanish agents, a Mr. Portell, in which a 
mutual desire to live at peace was expressed ; but the letters which passed 
between Gen. Robertson and Mr. Portell had apparently but little if any 
effect upon the minds of the Indians, whose depredations were continued 
through the year 1785. In 1786 was made the treaty of Hopewell with 
the Chickasaws, as mentioned and inserted above, by which immigration 
to the Cumberland was greatly encouraged and increased. 

In 1787 Indian atrocities continued as numerous as before, and it 
became necessary for Gen. Robertson to imitate the tactics of Gen. 
Sevier, viz. : To carry offensive operations into tlie heart of the enemy's 
country. For this purpose a force of 130 men volunteered, of whom Gen. 
Ptobertson took command, assisted by Col. Robert Hays and Col. James 
Ford. At the head of this force he marched against the Indian villao-e 
of Coldwater, with two Chickasaw Indians as guides. Arriving within 
ten miles of the Muscle Shoals he sent forward some of his most active 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 1)1 

• 

soldiers with one of the Chickasaw guides to reconnoiter. At 12 
next day they struck the river at the lower end of the Muscle Shoals, and 
concealed themselves until night. After a futile attempt to capture some 
Indians it was determined to cross the Tennessee River that night. The 
soldiers who had been sent forward with the guide swam the river and 
went up on the opposite bank to the cabins of an Indian village, which 
they found empty, and securing a canoe returned to the main body on 
the north side of the river. On account of the leaky condition of the 
canoe it was impossible to get across the river before daylight next morn- 
ing. A heavy rain coming on forced the men into the cabins until it 
was over, and when the clouds cleared away they followed a well beaten 
path leading toward the west. At the distance of aliout sis miles they 
came to Coldwater Creek, upon the opposite side of which was a number 
of cabins built upon low ground. The people of this village were sur- 
prised by this sudden invasion and fled precipitately to their boats pur- 
sued by such of the men as had crossed the creek. This town was 
occupied by the Creeks, some French traders and a white woman. In 
the attack upon the Indians twenty-six of the Creek warriors were killed, 
as were also the three Frenchmen and the white woman. A largfe 
quantity of stores was secured in the town, and afterward the town itself 
was burned down and the domestic animals destroyed. Each of the 
Chickasaw Indian guides was presented with a horse, a gun and as many 
blankets and clothes as his horse could carry, and sent home. After dis- 
posing of the prisoners and goods, most of the latter being taken to 
Eaton's Station, sold, and the proceeds distributed among the soldiers, 
the soldiers were disbanded on the nineteenth day after setting out on 
the expedition. This invasion of the Creek country was of great benefit 
to the Cumberland settlement, as it gave them peace and quiet for a con- 
siderable time, and discovered to them the sources whence the Indians 
were obtaining their supplies. But it was not entirely without disastrous, 
or at least threateningly disastrous, consequences. David Hay, of Nash- 
ville, attempted to carry on simultaneously, a campaign by water against 
the same Indians, with the view of assisting Gen. Robertson's men, both 
in their warfare and in respect to supplying them with provisions in case 
they should be detained longer away from home than was anticipated, 
but unfortunately his company was led into an ambush, was attacked by 
the Indians and was obliged to return. Gen. Robertson's campaign came 
very near involving him in difliculties with the French, who were carrying 
on trade with the Indians from the Wabash up the Tennessee. 

The cessation of hostilities procured by Gen. Robertson's Coldwater 
campaign was of but temporary duration. Capt. John Rains, a vigilant 



92 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and intrepid Indian fighter, made three successful campaigns against the 
Indians, and similar expeditions were made by others in every direction 
throuo-hdut the country. In 1788 the hostilities which still continued were 
committed by the Creek warriors, still under the malign influence of the 
Spaniards. As no settlements had been made on territory claimed by that 
nation, and as no acts of bffensive war had been committed against Span- 
ish colonies, it was determined to inquire into the reason for their insti- 
gation of these incursions upon the 'settlers. Gen. Robertson and Col. 
Anthony Bledsoe, therefore, addressed a joint letter to the celebrated 
ao-ent of the Creeks, McGilvery. To this communication the agent re- 
plied that the Creeks, in common with other southern Indians had adhered 
to the British interests during the late war, that after peace was declared 
he had accepted proposals for friendship by the settlers, and that while 
these negotiations were pending, six of his nation were killed at Coldwater 
and their death had given rise to a violent clamor for revenge, and that 
the late expeditions by the Creeks had been undertaken for that purpose. 
But now as the affair at Coldwater had been amply retaliated he would 
use his best endeavors for peace. Immediately afterward, however, hos- 
tilities were renewed and Col. Anthony Bledsoe killed at the fort of his 
brother Isaac at Bledsoe's Lick. At this time North Carolina was unable 
to assist her western settlements even had she been so disposed, and in 
their extremity it became absolutely necessary for Gen. Robertson to 
forget the murder of his friend Anthony Bledsoe, and to bring into play 
all the arts of diplomacy of which he was possessed in ord^r to soothe the 
savage breast and to beget in him a peaceful, or at least a less warlike 
disposition. Dissembling the resentment which the cruel murder of his 
friend must have caused him to feel, he wrote to McGilvery acknowl- 
edging the satisfaction caused by the receipt of his letter, seemed to exten- 
uate the recent aggressions of the Creeks upon the settlers, and stated 
that he had caused a deed for a lot in Nashville to be recorded in his 
name. To another letter from the Creek chief he replied that the Cum- 
berland settlers were not the people who had made encroachments upon 
Creek territory, and stated that the people of the Cumberland only 
claimed the land which the Cherokees had sold to Col. Hudson in 1775, etc. 

The right to the lands of the Lower Cumberland was claimed by the 
Chickasaws rather than by the Cherokees at the time of the Revolu- 
tionary war. Prior to that time the former tribe lived north of the 
Tennessee and about fifty miles lower down that stream than the Lower 
(Cherokee) Towns. They ceded the Cumberland lands in 1782 or 1783 at 
the treaty held by Donelson and Martin. 

In 1786 commissioners were appointed by Congress to treat with the 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 93 

Cherokees and other southern tribes. These commissioners say in their 
report to Richard Henry Lee, president of Congress, " that there are 
some few people settled on the Indian lands whom we are to remove, and 
those in the fork of French Broad and Holston being numerous, the 
Indians agree to refer their particular situation to Congress and abide by 
their decision." Although these persons had settled contrary to treaty 
stipulations entered into by Virginia and North Carolina in 1777, yet 
they were too numerous to order off, hence the necessity of obtaining the 
consent of the Cherokees to refer the matter to Congress. The same re- 
port furnishes an estimate of the number of warriors of the nations of 
Indians living south of the Tennessee and in reach of the advanced set- 
tlements which was as follows: Cherokees, 2,000; Creeks, 5,400; Chicka- 
saws, 800 ; Choctaws, 6,000 — ^^total number, 14,200, besides remnants of the 
Shawanees, Uchees and other tribes. That this number of warriors was 
not able with the assistance of northern tribes to crush out the settle- 
ments in what is now Tennessee in that early day is very remarkable, 
but is doubtless due in part to determination and courage of the whites. 

The year 1788 was distinguished by the unfortunate attempt of Col. 
James Brown to reach Nashville by the Tennessee, Ohio and Cumberland 
Rivers, related at such length in the chapter on settlements as to only need 
brief mention here in chronological order. The same year was distin- 
guished by the campaign against the Cherokees, by the attack on Sher- 
rell's and Gillespie's Stations. 

During the administration of Gov. Blount the policy of conciliation 
was persistently followed in obedience to instructions and proclamations 
from the President of the United States, Gen. Washington. An earnest 
attempt was made by both the authorities of the United States, and of 
the " Territory of the United States south of the river Ohio," to enforce 
treaty stipulations, but notwithstanding all that was or could be done by 
both Governments, both Indians and whites disregarded and violated all 
the treaties they should have observed. And while it was thus demon- 
strated and had been from the signing of the first treaty, that treaties 
were only a temporary make-shift, or subterfuge, yet both Nation and State 
kept on making treaty after treaty with the various tribes of Indians. 

In obedience to this treaty-making spirit another treaty was con- 
cluded July 2, 1791, at the treaty ground on the bank of Holston River, 
near the mouth of the French Broad, between the Cherokees of the one 
part and William Blount, governor in and for the "Territory of the 
United States of America south of the river Ohio," and superintendent 
of Indian affairs for the southern district, of the other part, whereby the 
following boundary between the lands of the two parties was established: 



94 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Article 4. The boundary between the citizens of the United States and the Cherokee- 
nation is and shall be as follows: Beginning at the top of the Currahee Mountain where 
the Creek line passes it; thence a direct line to Tugelo River; thence northwest 
to the Occunna Mountain, and over the same along the South Carolina Indian bound- 
ary to the North Carolina boundary; thence north to a point from which a line 
is to be extended to the river Clinch that shall pass the Holston at the ridge which 
divides the waters running into Little River from those running into the Tennessee; 
thence up the river Clinch to Campbell's line, and along the same to the top of the Cum- 
berland Mountain; thence a direct line to the Cumberland River where the Kentucky 
road crosses it; thence down the Cumberland River to a point from which a southwest 
line will strike the ridge which divides the waters of Cumberland from those of 
Duck River, forty miles above Nashville; thence down the said ridge to a point from 
whence a southwest line will strike the mouth of Duck River, 

It was agreed that all land lying to the right of this boundary, be- 
ginning at Currahee Mountain, should belong to the United States ; and 
as a further consideration the Government stipulated to pay the Chero- 
kees an annuity of $1,000, which was increased later by an additional ar- 
ticle to $1,500. All prisoners were to be surrendered, criminals pun- 
ished, whites settling on Indian lands to be denied the protection of the 
Government, whites to be granted the navigation of the Tennessee and to 
be permitted to use a road between Washington and Mero Districts, the 
Indians to be furnished with implements of husbandry, etc., etc. The 
witnesses signing this treaty were Daniel Smith, secretary of the Terri- 
tory of the United States south of the river Ohio; Thomas Kennedy, of 
Kentucky ; James Robertson, of Mero District ; Claiborne Watkins, of Vir- 
ginia ; John McWhitney, of Georgia ; Fauche, of Georgia ; Titus Ogden, 
of North Carolina; John Chisholm, of Washington District; Robert 
King and Thomas Gregg. The official and sworn interpreters were John 
Thompson and James Ceery. Forty-one chiefs of the Cherokee nation 
were the contracting party for the Indians. The additional article of the 
treaty, which provided that $1,500 instead of $1,000 should be annually 
paid to the Cherokees, was agreed to between Henry Knox, Secretary of 
War, and seven chiefs, February 17, 1792. 

In 1793 a force of 1,000 Indians, 700 of them Creeks, the rest Chero- 
kees, under the lead of John Watts and Double Head, 100 of the Creeks 
being well mounted horsemen, invaded the settlements with the view of 
attacking Knoxville, but failing to surprise the citizens they abandoned 
their contemplated attack upon the town. Falling back they found it 
impossible to leave the country without carrying out in some degree their 
revengeful purposes, and so made an attack on Cavett's Station. Here after 
suffering a temporary repulse they proposed that if the station would 
surrender they would spare the lives of the inmates and exchange them 
for an equal number of Indian prisoners. Relying upon these promises 
the inmates of the station surrendered, but no sooner had they passed 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 95 

the door tliau Double Head and liis party fell upon them and put them to 
death, anc^ most horribly, barbarously and indelicately mutilated their 
bodies, especially those of the women and children. 

This daring invasion by the Creeks and Cherokees, under 'the cele- 
brated chief John Watts, convinced the Federal and also the Territorial 
authorities that defensive warfare was of but little if any use in prevent- 
ing Indian invasions. The people themselves had long been convinced 
of this fact, and earnestly desired a return to the tactics of Gen. Sevier. 
A sudden and decisive blow was loudly called for as the only means of 
punishment for the Indians and of defense for the settlements. Gen. 
Sevier was once more the man to lead in a campaign of this kind. His- 
little army then at Ish's was re-enforced by troops under Col. John 
Blair for Washington District and Col. Christian for Hamilton Dis- 
trict, and with these forces Gen. Sevier made his last campaign against 
the Indians. Crossing Little Tennessee, near Lowry's Ferry he came 
to an Indian town named Estinaula, and suffered a night attack from 
the Indians with the loss of one man wounded. Breaking camp in the 
night he went on toward Etowah, which place he succeeded in capturing 
after overcoming a determined resistance by the Indians under the com- 
mand of King Fisher, who, however, fell in the engagement. After be- 
ing defeated the Indians escaped into the secret recesses of the surround- 
ing country, and Gen. Sevier having burned the town and becoming, 
satisfied that further pursuit would not meet with results commensurate 
with the exertion demanded, countermarched and the troops returned 
safely to their homes. Thus terminated the last campaign of Sevier, and 
the first for which he received compensation from the Government. In 
this campaign he lost three brave men, Pruett and Weir killed in the 
battle, and Wallace mortally wounded. 

A treaty was concluded at Philadelphia between Henry Knox, Secre- 
tary of War, and thirteen chiefs of the Cherokees, on the 26th of June, 
1794, to set at rest certain misunderstandings concerning the provisions 
of the treaty of Holston of July 2, 1791. It was declared that the treaty 
of Holston should in all particulars be valid and binding, and that the 
boundary line then established should be accurately defined and marked. 
In lieu of the annuity of $1,000 granted by the treaty, of Holston in 

1791, or the annuity of $1,500 granted by the treaty of Philadelphia in 

1792, the Government at this treaty of 1791 agreed to pay the annual 
sum of $5,000 to the Cherokees. This treaty was attended by thirteen 
Cherokee chiefs. John Thompson and Arthur Coody were the official in- 
terpreters. The boundary provided in these treaties was not ascertained 
and marked until the latter part of 1797, by reason of which delay sev- 



90 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

eral settlements of wliite people were established upon the Indian domain. 
These settlers were removed by authority of the Governmeiit, and two 
commissioners, George "Walton, of Georgia, and Lieut. -Col. Thomas 
Butler, commander of the troops of the United States in the State of 
Tennessee, were appointed to adjust the mutual claims and rights of the 
white settlers and the Indians. These commissioners met thirty-nine 
authorized Cherokee " chief s, representing the "whole Cherokee nation," 
in the council house of the Indians near Tellico, October 2, 1798, and the 
following provisions, in substance, were mutually agreed to: The former 
boundaries were to remain the same with the following exception: The 
Cherokees ceded to the United States all the lands "from a point on the 
Tennessee Eiver below Tellico Block-house, called the White Cat Bock, 
in a direct line to the Militia Spring near the Maryville road leading 
from Tellico; from the said spring to the Chilhowee Mountain by a line 
so to be run as will leave all the farms on Nine Mile Creek to the north- 
ward and eastward of it, and to be continued along Chilhowee Mountain 
until it strikes Hawkins' line; thence along the said line to the Great 
Iron Mountain, and from the top of which a line to be continued in a 
southeastwardly course to where the most southwardly branch of Little 
River crosses the divisional line to Tugalo Biver. From the place of be- 
ginning, the Wild Cat Bock, down the northeast margin of the Tennes- 
see Biver (not including islands) to a point or place one mile above the 
junction of that river with the Clinch; and from thence by a Una to be 
drawn in a right angle until it intersects Hawkins' line leading from 
Clinch; thence down' the said line to the river Clinch; thence up the said 
river to its junction with Emery Biver; thence up Emery Biver to the 
foot of Cumberland Mountains; from thence a line to be drawn northeast- 
wardly along the foot of the mountain until it intersects with Campbell's 
line." ^ It was further understood that two commissioners, one to be ap- 
pointed by each the Government and the Cherokee nation, were to run 
and mark the boundary line ; that the annuity should be increased from 
S5,000 to $6,000 in goods; that the Kentucky road running between the 
Cumberland Mountains and the Cumberland Biver should be open and 
free to the white citizens as was the road from Southwest Point to Cum- 
berland Biver ; that Indians might hunt upon the lands thus ceded until 
settlements should make it improper ; that stolen horses should be either 
returned or paid for, and that the agent of the Government living among 
the Indians should have a piece of land reserved for his use. Elisha I. 
Hall was secretary of the commission; Silas Dinsmore, agent to the 
Cherokees; Edward Butler, captain commanding at Tellico, and Charles 
Hicks and James Casey were interpreters. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. ',*( 

The year 1794 was distinguisliecl for tb« Nickajack expeditioD. The 
banditti Jndians of the five Lower Towns on the Tennessee River contin- 
ued to make attacks on the frontier settlements, and the frontiers de- 
termined to invade the towns as the only effectual means of self-defense, 
and of inflicting punishment upon the Indians for the injuries they had 
received. But as the Cumberland settlers were not of themselves strong 
enough to successfully undertake an expedition, they appealed to the mar- 
tial spirit of Kentucky to aid them in punishing an enemy from whom 
they had also been frequent sufferers. Col. Whitley of Kentucky entered 
into the scheme. Col. James Ford, of Montgomery, raised a company 
from near Clarksville ; Col. John Montgomery brought a company from 
Clarksville, and Gen. Robertson raised a company of volunteers from 
Nashville and vicinity; 

Maj. Ore, who had been detached by Gov. Blount to protect the fron- 
tiers of Mero District, opportunely arrived at Nashville as the troops were 
concentrating for the Nickajack expedition, as it has ever since been 
known, and entered heartily into the project; Maj. Ore temporarily as- 
sumed command, and the expedition has sometimes been called " Ore's 
expedition." Upon the arrival of the Kentucky troops. Col. Whitley was 
given command of the entire force, and Col. Montgomery of the volun- 
teers raised within the Territory 

Notwithstanding Col. Whitley having command of the little army, 
Gen. Robertson issued instructions to Maj. Ore, on the 6th of September, 
and on the next day, Sunday, the army set out upon its march. It crossed 
the Barren Fork of Duck River near the Stone Fort, and arrived at the 
Tennessee on the night of the 8th. Of the individuals present at this 
expedition were Joseph Brown, son of Col. James Brown, whose mel- 
ancholy fate is elsewhere recorded in this work; William Trousdale, 
afterward governor of Tennessee, and Andrew Jackson. The troops 
having the next morning crossed the river, penetrated to the center of 
the town of Nickajack, a village inhabited by about 250 families. In 
this village the troops killed quite a number of warriors, and many oth- 
ers, while they were attempting to escape in canoes or swimming in the 
river. Eighteen were taken prisoners and about seventy in all were 
killed ; but this number includes those killed in the town of Running 
Water as well as those killed in Nickajack. When an attack was made 
on two isolated houses, one of the squaws remained outside to listen. 
She attempted to escape by flight, but after a hard chase was taken pris- 
oner, and carried up to the town and placed among the other prisoners, 
in canoes. As these were being taken down the river the squaw loosed 
her clothes, sprang head foremost into the river, artfully disengaged her- 



S8 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

self from her clothing, left them floating on the water and swam rapidly 
away. While thus making her escape, some of the soldiers cried out 
" Shoot her! shoot her!" but others admiring her activity and courage re- 
strained those who were in favor of shooting her, by saying " No, let her 
escape, she is too smart to kill." With respect to the number killed, it 
was given to Joseph Brown some time afterward by a chief in conversa- 
tion at Tellico Block-house. 

By an act approved May 19, 1796, the following boundary between 
the United States and the Indian tribes for the States of Kentucky and 
Tennessee was ordered surveyed and definitely marked. "Beginning at a 
point on the highlands or ridge on the Ohio River between the mouth 
of the Cumberland and the mouth of the Tennessee River; thence east- 
erly along said ridge to a point from whence a southwest line will strike 
the mouth of Duck River;* thence still easterly on the said ridge to 
a, point forty miles above Nashville; thence northeast to the Cumber- 
land River; thence up the said river to where the Kentucky road crosses 
the same; thence to the top of Cumberland Mountain; thence along 
Campbell's line to the river Clinch; thence down the said river to a point 
from which a line shall pass the Holston at the ridge which divides the 
waters running into Little River from those running into the Tennessee; 
thence south to the North Carolina boundary." 

At a treaty held at the Chickasaw Bluffs, October 24, 1801, between 
Brig. -Gen, James Wilkinson, Benjamin Hawkins, of North Carolina, 
and Andrew Pickens, of South Carolina, "and the Mingo, princi})al men 
and warriors of the Chickasaw nation," permission was given the United 
States to lay out and cut a wagon road between the settlements of the 
Mero District in Tennessee and those of Natchez on the Mississippi 
River. It was agreed that $700 should be paid the Indians to compen- 
sate them for furnishing guides and assistance. Seventeen Chickasaw 
chiefs signed the articles of the treaty. 

A treaty was held at Tellico, October 25, 1805, between Return Jona- 
than Meigs and Daniel Smith on the part of the United States, and thir- 
ty-three chiefs on the part of the Cherokees, by which the Indians ceded 
all their land north of the following boundary: "Beginning at the mouth 
of Duck River; running thence up the main stream of the same to the 
junction of the fork, at the head of which Fort Nash stood, with the main 
south fork ; thence a direct course to a point on the Tennessee River bank 
opposite the mouth of Hiwassee River. If the line from Hiwassee 
should leave out Field's settlement, it is to be marked round this im- 
provement and then continue the straight course; thence up the middle of 

♦See treaty with the Chickasaws, January 10, 1786. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 99 

the Tennessee River (but leaving all the islands to the Cherokees) to the 
mouth of Clinch River ; thence up the Clinch River to the former boun- 
dary line agreed upon with the said Cherokees, reserving, at the same time, 
to the use of the Cherokees, a small tract lying at and below the mouth 
of Clinch River ; thence from the mouth extending down the Tennessee 
River (from the mouth of Clinch) to a notable rock on the north bank of 
the Tennessee, in view from Southwest Point; thence a course at right 
angles with the river to the Cumberland road; thence eastwardly along 
the same to the bank of Clinch River so as to secure the ferry landing to 
the Cherokees up to the first hill and down the same to the mouth there- 
of together with two other sections of one square mile each, one of which 
is at the foot of Cumberland Mountain, at and near where the turnpike 
gate now stands, the other on the north bank of the Tennessee River 
where the Cherokee Talootiske now lives. And whereas, from the 
present cessions made by the Cherokees, and other circumstances, the size 
of the garrisons at Southwest Point and Tellico are becoming not the 
most convenient and suitable places for the accommodation of the said 
Indians, it may become expedient to remove the said garrisons and fac- 
tory to some more suitable place, three other square miles are reserved 
for the particular disposal of the United States on the north bank of the 
Tennessee opposite to and below the mouth of Hiwassee." In consider- 
ation of this cession the Government agree to pay the Indians $3,000 im- 
mediately in valuable merchandise, and $11,000 within ninety days after 
the ratification of the treaty and also an annuity of $3,000 to begin im- 
mediately. The Indians, at their option, might take valuable machines 
for agriculture and useful domestic or hunting articles out of the $11,000. 
The Government was also to have the "free and unmolested use" of two 
new roads "one to proceed from some convenient place near the head of 
Stone's River and fall into the Georgia road at a suitable place toward 
the southern frontier of the Cherokees; the other to proceed from the 
neighborhood of Franklin or Big Harpeth, and crossing the Tennessee at 
or near the Muscle Shoals, to pursue the nearest and best way to the set- 
tlements on the Tombigbee." 

At Tellico, on the 27th of October, 1805, two days after the above 
treaty, the same commissioners (Meigs and Smith) concluded an addi- 
tional treaty with fourteen Cherokee chiefs, the following being a portion 
of one of the articles of such treaty: " Whereas, it has been represented 
by the one party to the other, that the section of land on which the gar- 
rison of Southwest Point stands and which extends to Kingston, is likely 
to become a desirable place for the assembly of the State of Tennessee to 
convene at (a committee from that body now in session having viewed 



100 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

the situation), now, the Cherokees being possessed of a spirit of concilia- 
tion, and seeing that this tract is desired for public purposes and not for 
individual advantages, reserving the ferries to themselves, quitclaim and 
cede to the United States the said section of land, understanding, at the 
same time, that the buildings erected by the public are to belong to the 
public, as well as the occupation of the same, during the pleasure of the 
Government. We also cede to the United States the first island in the 
Tennessee above the mouth of Clinch [River J." 

It was also agreed that mail which had been ordered to be carried 
from Knoxville to New Orleans through the Cherokee, Creek and Choc- 
taw countries, should not be molested by the former nation over the Tel- 
lico and Tombigbee road; and that the Government should pay for the 
land ceded as above described $1,600 in money or merchandise, at the 
option of the Indians, within ninety days after the ratification of the 
treaty. 

On the 23d of July, 1805, at a treaty concluded in the Chickasaw 
country between James Robertson and Silas Dinsmore and the chiefs of 
the Chickasaws, the latter ceded the following tract of land to the United 
States: "Beginning at the left bank of [the] Ohio at the point where 
the present Indian boundary adjoins the same : thence down the left bank 
of Ohio to the Tennessee River; thence up the main channel of the 
Tennessee River to the mouth of Duck River; thence up the left bank 
of Duck River to the Columbian highway or road leading from Nashville 
to Natchez; thence along the said road to the ridge dividing the waters 
running into Duck River from those running into Buffalo River; thence 
eastwardly along the said ridge to the great ridge dividing the waters 
running into the main Tennessee River from those running into Buffalo 
River near the main source of Buffalo River; thence in a direct line to 
the great Tennessee River near the Chickasaw Old Fields, or eastern 
point of the Chickasaw claim, on that river; thence northwardly to the 
great ridge dividing the waters running into the Tennessee from those 
running into the Cumberland River so as to include all the waters run- 
ning into Elk River; thence along the top of said ridge to the place 
of beginning ; reserving a tract of one mile square adjoining to and below 
the mouth of Duck River on the Tennessee, for the use of the chief, 
Okoy, or Lishmastubbee. The commissioners agreed to pay $20,000 
for the use of the nation and for the payments of its debts to traders, etc., 
and to pay George Colbert and Okoy $1,000 each. These sums were 
granted these head men upon the request of the Chickasaw delegation, 
as a reward for distinguished services rendered the nation ; also, the head 
chief of the nation, Chinnubbee, was granted an annuity of $100 during 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 101 

the remainder of "his natural life," "as a testimony of his personal 
worth and friendly disposition." Two dollars per day was ordered paid 
an agent of the Chickasaws appointed to assist in running and marking 
the boundary above described. 

On the 7th of January, 1806, at the city of Washington, a treaty 
was held between Henry Dearborn, Secretary of "War, and Double 
Head, James Vann, Tallotiska, Chuleoah, Sour Mush, Turtle at Home, 
Katihu, John McLemore, Broom, John Jolly, John Lowry, Red Bird, 
John Walker, Young Wolf, Skewha, Sequechu and William Showry, 
chiefs and head men of the Cherokees, Charles Hicks serving as inter- 
preter, and Eeturu J. Meigs, Benjamin Hawkins, Daniel Smith, John 
Smith, Andrew McClaiy and John McClary as witnesses, whereby the 
following was agreed iipon : The Cherokee nation ceded to the United 
States " all that tract of country which lies to the northward of the river 
Tennessee, and westward of a line to be run from the upper part of the 
Chickasaw Old Fields at the upper part of an island called Chickasaw Is- 
land on said river, to the most easterly head waters of that branch of said 
Tennessee River called Duck River, excepting the two following tracts, 
viz. : one tract bounded southerly on the said Tennessee River at a place 
called the Muscle Shoals, westerly by a creek called Tekeetanoah or 
Cypress Creek, and easterly by Chuwalee or Elk River or creek, and 
northerly by a line to be drawn from a point on said Elk River, ten miles 
on a direct line from its mouth or junction with Tennessee River, to a 
point on the said Cypress Creek, ten miles on a direct line from its junc- 
tion with the Tennessee River. The other tract is to be two miles in width 
on the north side of Tennessee River and to extend northerly from 
that river three miles and bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning at the 
mouth of Spring Creek and running up said creek three miles on a 
straight line ; thence westerly two miles at right angles with the general 
course of said creek ; thence southerly on a line parallel with the general 
course of said creek to the Tennessee River; thence up said river by its 
waters to the beginning — which first reserved tract is to be considered the 
common property of the Cherokees who now live on the same, including 
John D. Chisholm, Autowe and Chechout; and the other reserved tract, 
on which Moses Milton now lives, is to be considered the property of said 
Milton and Charles Hicks in equal shares. And the said chiefs and head 
men also agree to relinquish to the United States all right or claim which 
they or their nation have to what is called the Long Island in Holston 
River." . . 

In consideration of the relinquishment of this land the United States 
agreed to pay $2,000 to the Indians as soon as the treaty was ratified by 



102 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the President, and $2,000 on each of the four succeeding years, or in all 
$10,000; and agreed to build a grist-mill in the Cherokee country for the 
use of the nation ; to furnish a machine for cleaning cotton ; to pay annu- 
ally to the old chief, Eunolee, or Black Fox, during the remainder of 
his life $100, and to settle the claims of the Chickasaws on the two res- 
ervations described above. Apparently, the terms of this treaty required 
elucidation, as, September 11, 1807, another meeting between James 
Robertson and Return J. Meigs and a delegation of Cherokees, of whom 
Black Fox was one, was held "at the point of departure of the line at the 
upper end of the island opposite to the upper part of the said Chickasaw 
Old Fields," on which occasion the following was fixed as the eastern 
limits of the ceded tract: "A line so to be run from the upper end of the 
Chickasaw Old Fields a little above the upper part of an island called 
Chickasaw Island, as will most directly intersect the first waters of Elk 
River; thence carried to the great Cumberland Mountain, in which the 
waters of Elk River have their source; then along the margin of said 
mountain until it shall intersect lands heretofore ceded to the United 
States at the said Tennessee Ridge." It was also agreed that $2,000 
should be paid to the Cherokees to meet their expenses at this council or 
treaty, and that the Cherokee hunters might hunt over the ceded tract 
•'until, by the fullness of settlers, it shall become improper." Eunolee, 
i)!' Black Fox; Fauquitee, or Glass; Fulaquokoko, or Turtle at Home; 
Richard Brown and Sowolotaw, or King's Brother, signed this "•decla- 
ration of intention." The following treaty or agreement with reference 
to the cultivation of a certain tract of ground by the proprietors of the 
Unicoi road was entered into July 8, 1817: 

We, the undersigned chiefs of the Cherokee nation, do hereby grant unto Nicholas 
Byers, Arthur H. Henly and David Russell, proprietors of the Unicoy road to Georgia, 
the liberty of cultivating all the ground contained in the bend on the north side of Ten- 
nessee River, opposite and below Chota Old Town, together with the liberty to erect a 
grist-mill on Four Mile Creek, for the use and benefit of said road and the Cherokees in 
the neighborhood thereof; for them, the said Byers, Henly and Russell, to have and to 
hold the above privileges during the term of use of the Unicoy road, also obtained from 
the Cherokees and sanctioned by the President of the United State?. 

At a treaty between Isaac Shelby and Andrew Jackson and the 
"chiefs, head men and warriors" of the Chickasaw nation held on the 
19th of October, 1818, "at the treaty ground east of Old Town, the Indians 
ceded lands as follows : The land lying north of the south boundary of the 
State of Tennessee, which is bounded south by the thirty-fifth degree of 
north latitude, and which lands hereby ceded lie within the following bound- 
ary, viz. : Beginning on the Tennessee River about thirty-five miles by 
water below Col. George Colbert's ferry, where the thirty-fifth degree of 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 103 

north latitude strikes the same ; thence due west with said degree of north 
latitude to where it cuts the Mississippi River at or near the Chickasaw 
Bluffs ; thence up the said Mississippi River to the mouth of the Ohio ; 
thence up the Ohio River to the mouth of the Tennessee River; thence 
up the Tennessee River to the place of beginning." 

In consideration of this valuable cession "and to perpetuate the hap- 
piness of the Chickasaw nation" the Government agreed to allow the In- 
dians an annuity of $20,000 for fifteen successive years; also to allow 
Capt. John Gordon, of Tennessee, $1,115 due him from the Chickasaws, 
and also to allow Capt. David Smith, of Kentucky, $2,000 to reimburse 
.him and forty-five soldiers of Tennessee in assisting in the defense of 
their towns (upon their request) against the attacks of the Creek Indians 
in 1795. A reservation in the above tract was retained by the Indians. 
It contained four miles square of land, including a salt spring or lick on 
or near Sandy River, a branch of the Tennessee. The Chickasaw chief, 
Levi Colbert and Maj. James Brown were constituted agents to lease 
the salt licks to a citizen or citizens of the United States for the benefit 
of the Indians, a certain quantity of salt to be paid therefor annually to 
the nation; and after two years from the date of the ratification of the 
treaty no salt was to be sold higher than $1 per bushel of fifty pounds 
weight. The Government further agreed to pay to Oppassantubbee, a 
principal chief of the Chickasaws; $500 for his two-mile reservation on the 
.north side of the Tennessee River; retained September 20, 1816, to pay 
John Lewis, a half-breed, $25 for a lost saddle while serving the United 
States; to pay Maj. James Colbert $1,089, which had been taken from 
his pocket in June, 1816, at a theater in Baltimore. 

Also to give upon the ratification of the treaty to the following named 
chiefs $150 each: Chinnubbee, king of the Chickasaws; Teshuahmin- 
,go, William McGibvery, Oppassantubee, Samuel Seely, James Brown, 
Levi Colbert, Iskarwcuttaba, George Pettigrove, Immartoibarmicco, and 
Malcolm McGee, interpreter; and to Maj. William Glover, Col. George 
Colbert, Hopoyeabaummer, Immauklusharhopoyea, Tushkaihopoye, Hop- 
oyebaummer, Jr., James Colbert, Coweamarthlar and Illachouwarhopo- 
yea, $100 each. At a treaty with the Cherokees held at Washington 
City, February 27, 1819, the Indians ceded the following tract of country: 

All of their lands lying north and east of the following line, viz. : Beginning on the Ten- 
nessee River at the point where the Cherokee boundary with Madison County in Alabama 
Territory joins the same; thence along the main channel of said river to the mouth of the 
Hiwassee; thence along its main channel to the first hill which closes in on said river 
about two miles above Hiwassee; thence along the ridge which divides the waters of the 
Hiwassee and Little Tellico, to the Tennesee River atTelassee; thence along the main 
■channel to the junction of the Cowee and Xauteyalee; thence along the i-idge in the fork of 



104 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

said river to tlie top of the Blue Ridge; thence along the Blue Ridge to the Unicoy turn- 
pike road; thence by a straight line to the nearest main source of the Chestatee; thence 
along its main channel to the Chatahouchee, and thence to the Creek boundary; it being 
understood that all the islands in the Chestatee, and the parts of the Tennessee and Hi- 
wassee (with the exception of Jolly Island in the Tennessee near the mouth of the Hiwas- 
see) which constitutes a portion of the present boundary, belong to the Cherokee nation. 

Art. 3. It is also understood and agreed by the contracting parties, that a reserva- 
tion in fee simple, of six hundred and forty acres square, with the exception of Maj. 
Walker's which is to be located as is hereafter provided, to include their improvements, 
and which are to be as near the center thereof as possible, shall be made to each of the 
persons whose names are inscribed on the certified list annexed to this treaty,* all of whom 
are believed to be persons of industry, and capable of managing their property with dis- 
cretion and have, with few exceptions, made considerable improvements on the tracts re- 
served. The reservations are made on the condition that those forwhom they are intended 
shall notify inwriting to the agent for the Cherokee nation within six months after the ratifi- 
cation of this treaty that it is their intention to continue to reside permanently on the land 
reserved. The reservation for Lewis Ross so to be laid off as to include his house and out- 
buildings and ferry adjoining the Cherokee agency, reserving to the United States all the 
public property there and the continuance of the said agency where it now is during the 
pleasure of the Government; and Maj. Walker's so as to include his dwelling house and 
ferry, for Maj. Walker an additional reservation is made of 640 acres square, to include 
his grist and saw-mill; the land is poor and principally valuable for its timber. In addi- 
tion to the above reservations the following are made in fee simple, the persons for whom 
they are intended not residing on the same: To Cobbin Smith 640 acres, to be laid off in 
equal parts on both sides of his ferry on Tellico, commonly called Blair's ferry; to John 
Ross 640 acres, to be laid off so as to include the Big Island in Tennessee River, being the 
first below Tellico, which tracts of land were given many years since by the Cherokee 
nation to them; to Mrs. Eliza Ross, step-daughter of Maj. Walker, 640 acres square, to be 
located on the river below and adjoining Maj. Walker's; to Margaret Morgan 640 acres 
square to be located on the west of and adjoining James Riley's reservation; to George 
Harlin 640 acres square, to be located west of and adjoining the reservation of Margaret 
Morgan; to James Lowry 640 acres square, to be located at Crow Mocker's old place, at the 
foot of Cumberland Mountain; to Susannah Lowry 640 acres, to be located at the Toll 
Bridge on Battle Creek; to Nicholas Byers 640 acres, including the Toqua Island, to be lo- 
cated on the north bank of the Tennessee opposite to said island. 

Immediately after the ratification of this treaty North Carolina ap- 
pointed commissioners and surveyors to survey and sell the lands ac- 
quired within her limits under the treaty. These commissioners and 
surveyors performed their duties without knowing what reservations 
would be taken by the Indians, or where they would be located. Subse- 
quently to the sale by the State, commissioners were sent out by the 
United States Government to survey and lay off the reservations for those 
Indians who claimed under the treaty. The consequence was that nearly 
all the reservations conflicted with lands previously sold by the State Com- 
missioners to citizens, a number of whom had sold their homesteads in 
older settled portions of the State, and had moved to the newly acquired 

♦Robert McLemore, John Baldridge, Lewis Ross, Fox Taylor, Rd. Timherlake, David Fields (to include his 
mill), James Brown (to include his field by the long pond), William Brown, John Brown, Elizabeth Lowry, 
George Lowry, John Henze, Mrs. Elizabeth Peck, John Walker, Sr., John Walker, Jr., Richard Taylor, John 
Mcintosh, James Starr, iSamuel Parks, The Old Bark (of Chota)— total 20. (Only those are here given whose- 
reserves were in Tennessee.) 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 105 

territory. Tliese conflicting claims caused much disturbance, the pur- 
chasers from the State commissioners looking to the State to make their 
title valid, and the Indians looking to the United States to make their 
title valid. A great many suits were brought by the Indians in the 
courts of North Carolina against citizens who had taken possession under 
titles obtained from the State of North Carolina, and one case was carried 
to the supreme court of the State and decided in favor of the Indian. 
Clearly perceiving the disagreeable results that must ensue from a con- 
tinuance of this state of things. North Carolina felt compelled to take 
prompt measures for the relief of the citizens to whom she had sold 
these lands. Time would not permit application to the General Govern- 
ment to extinguish the Indian title, and she tlierefore took the only course 
left open for her to pursue, viz.: to appoint commissioners of her own to 
purchase of the Indians their claims to the lands. This purchase was 
efPected at a cost to the State of ^19,9G9, besides incidental expenses, the 
entire sum expended by the State in this matter being !|22,000. North 
Carolina then made application to Congress for the reimbursement to her 
treasury of this sum, basing her claim for reimbursement ori the two 
following reasons: First — That the General Government had no power 
to exercise any control over any part of the soil within the limits of any 
of the original States, and that the injury sustained by North Carolina 
resulted from the act of the General Government in the assumption and 
exercise of this power as set forth in this treaty, and which was a viola- 
tion of the rights and sovereignty of the State. Second — That the gen- 
eral policy of the General Government has been to extinguish Indian 
titles to land within the States when she could do so. The first proposi- 
tion was discussed at considerable length and the second was sustained 
by extracts from the treaties of Hopewell, 1785, and of Holston, 1791. 
The application of North Carolina for the repayment to her of $22,000 
was granted by Congress in an act approved May 9, 1828. Soon after 
the conclusion of the above treaty the following agreement with reference 
to the laying out and opening of a road from the Tennessee to the Tu- 
galo River was made and entered into: 

Cherokee Agency, Hiwassee Garrison. 
We the' undersigned chiefs and' councilors of the Cherokees, in full council assembled, 
do hereby give, grant and make over unto Nicholas Byers and David Russell, who are 
agents in behalf of the States of Tennessee and Georgia, full power and authority to es- 
tablish a turnpike company to be composed of them, the said Nicholas and David, Arthur 
Henly, John Lowry, Atto and one other perscm, by them to be hereafter named in behalf 
of the State of Georgia, and the above named person are authorized to nominate five prop 
er and fit persons, natives of the Cherokees, who, together with the white men aforesaid, 
are to constitute the company; which said company when thus established, are hereby 
fully authorized by us to lay out and open a road from the most suitable point on the 



106 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Tennessee lliver, lobe directed the nearest and best way to llie highest point of navigation 
on the Tugalo lliver; which said road when opened and established shall continue and re- 
main a free and public highway, unmolested by us, to the interest and benefit of the said 
company and their successors, for the full term of twenty years yet to come after the same 
may be opened and complete; after which time said road with all its advantages shall be 
surrendered up and reverted in the said Cherokee nation. And the said company shall 
have leave, and are hereby authorized, to erect their public stands, or houses of entertain- 
ment, on said road, that is to say: One at each end and one in the middle, or as nearly so 
as a good situation will permit, with leave also to cultivate one hundred acres of land on 
each end of the road and fifty acres at the middle stand, with a privilege of a sufficiency 
of timber for the use and consumption of said stands. And the said turnpike company do 
hereby agree to pay the sum of $160 yearly to the Cherokee nation for the aforesaid priv- 
ilege, to commence after said road is opened and in complete operation. The said com- 
pany are to have the benefit of one ferry on Tennessee River, and such other ferry or fer- 
ries as are necessary on said road, and likewise said company'' shall have the exclusive priv- 
ilege of trading on said road during the aforesaid term of time. 

In testimony of our full consent to all and singular the above named privileges and ad- 
vantages, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals this eighth day of March;, 
eighteen hundred and thirteen 

Ou-TA-HE-LEE BiG CaBBIN, Oo-SEE-KEE, 

The-la-gath-a-hee, Nettle Carrier, Chu-la-oo, 

Two Killers, John Walker, Wau-sa-way, 

John Boggs, Na-ah-ree, The Bark, 

CuR-A-HEE, The Raven, • See-kee-kee, 

Too-cha-lee, Te-is-tis-kee, Dick Brown, 

Dick Justice, Quo-ti-quas-kee, Charles Hicks. 

The foregoing agreement and grant was amicably negotiated and concluded in my 
presence. Return J. Meigs, Agent to the Cherokees. 

I certify I believe the within to be a correct copy of the original. 
Washington City, March 1, 1819 Charles Hicks, Agent to the Cherokees. 

On tlie 15th of November, 1819, the Legislature of Tennessee passed 
an act to dispose of the lands in the former Cherokee hunting grounds 
between the rivers Hiwassee and Tennessee, and north of the Little Ten- 
nessee. The act provided that three commissioners should be appointed 
to superintend the sale of these lands, that no one person should be al- 
lowed to purchase for himself more than 640 acres, and 320 acres for 
each of his children, and that no land should be sold for less than $2 per 
acre. By this act the Unicoi Turnpike Company was permitted to retain, 
possess and enjoy all the franchises yielded to them by the Cherokees in 
the treaty of February 27, 1819, together with the use and occupancy of 
250 acres of land convenient to the public house then occupied by Maj. 
Henry Stephens during the continuance of the grant. A few days pre- 
vious to the passage of the above act, the Legislature of Tennessee passed 
an act (October 23, 1819) for the adjudication of the North Carolina 
land claims and for satisfying the same by an appropriation of the va- 
cant soil south and west of the congressional reservation line, and ex- 
tending to the Mississippi River. This territory was divided into seven 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. lO, 

districts, numbered from the seventh to the thirteenth inclusive,' all of 
these districts being definitely bounded in the second section of this act. 

The "congressional reservation line" was described in an act of 
Congress, approved April 18, 1806, entitled "^ an act to authorize the 
State of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands 
therein described, and to settle the claims to the vacant lands within the 
same." Following is the description of the line: "Beginning at the 
place where the eastern or main branch of Elk River shall intersect the 
southern boundary line of the State of Tennessee ; from thence running 
due north until said line shall intersect the northern or main branch of 
Duck River; thence down the waters of Duck River to the military 
boundary line as established by the seventh section of an act of the State 
of North Carolina entitled 'an act for the relief of the officers and sol- 
diers of the continental line and for other purposes' passed in the year 
1783 ; thence with the military boundary line west to the place where it 
intersects, the Tennessee River ; thence down the waters of the river Ten- 
nessee to the place where the same intersects the northern boundary line 
of the State of Tennessee." 

With reference to the departure of the Cherokee Indians from the 
State of -Tennessee, it is proper to observe that early in this century they 
were divided into the Lower and Upper Towns ; the Lower Towns clinging 
to the hunter life, and the Upper Towns wishing to assimilate with the 
whites. Li 1808 delegations from both parties called upon the President 
of the United States — the former to express a wish to remove to Govern- 
ment lands west of the Mississippi. On July 8, 1817, lands were ceded 
to the United States in exchange for lands on the Arkansas and White 
Rivers, and under this arrangement 3,000 moved in 1818. Then followed 
the treaty of 1819, after which the Cherokees had left east of the Missis- 
sippi River about 8,000 square miles of territory, chiefly in the State 
of Georgia. 

The last treaty made with the Chickasaws was under date of October 
19, 1818, at which they ceded all their lands north of Mississippi be- 
tween the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers, for certain specified annual 
payments, the Colberts, influential men of the tribe, aware of the value 
of the lands, securing unusually favorable terms for the Chickasaws. By 
treaties of 1832 and 1834 they ceded to the United States all their re- 
maining lands east of the Mississippi River. 

It is difficult to obtain accurate statistics with regard to the numbers 
of the various Indian tribes residing within the limits of Tennessee at 
any specified period previous to 1860. There was taken no valuable 
census of the Indian population previous to 1825, and then it was taken 



108 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

with reference to the tribes themselves instead of with reference to 
States. In that year there were estimated to reside in the States of North 
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, 53,625 Indians 
— Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws and Choctaws. Of the Creeks there 
were about 20,000 residing principally in eastern Alabama. Of the 
Choctaws there were about 20,000, residing principally in Mississippi. 
Of the Chickasaws there were about 3,600, residing almost wliolly in 
Mississippi, the rest being Cherokees residing in North Carolina, Georgia, 
Alabama and Tennessee. At this time the total number of Indians in 
Tennessee was about 1,000, which remained the Indian population of the 
State for several years, but the number was gradually reduced until 
1860, when it was sixty; in 1870 it was seventy. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Settlement of Tennessee— Early Explorations— Ferdinand De Soto— 
Identity of Chisca and Memphis— Wood's Tour of Discovery — Settle- 
ments AND Intrigues of the French— Spottswood's Exploration— Con- 
flicting Designs of the French and the English — Construction of 
Forts Loudon and Patrick Henry— Scotch and French Traders- 
Walker's Discoveries — Daniel Boone — The Hunting Expeditions— The 
Gradual Appearance of Permanent White Settlers — Results of the 
Treaty of 1763 — Rapid Increase of Pioneers— Watauga, Carter's and 
Brown's Settlements — Land Cessions -and Pre-emption Grants — Acts 
of the Watauga Association — The Exploration of Cumberland Yal- 

LEY— DONELSON's JOURNAL— DESCRIPTION OF A THRILLING VOYAGE— GEN- 
ERAL Observations. 

THE problem of who were the first inhabitants of the immense, diver- 
sified and fertile territory now organized into and named the State 
of Tennessee will doubtless always remain unsolved. The present limits 
of the State were certainly entered in the western part, and possibly in 
the eastern part by that daring explorer and intrepid warrior, Fernando 
De Soto, while on his ill-starred expedition of 1540 and 1541. The 
opinion as to his presence in East Tennessee rests mainly if not entirely 
upon inferences drawn fi'om descriptions of localities, rivers and islands, 
and from the names of Indian tribes and villaofes contained in the narra- 
tive of the Portuguese historian who accompanied De Soto in his final and 
fatal wanderings. According to McCullough, the extreme northern point 
of the route followed by De Soto's army was at Chonalla, near the thirty- 
fifth parallel of latitude, and somewhere among the sources of the Coosa 
Biver. And Dr. Kamsey thinks it possible that Chonalla was identical 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 109 

TTitli the modern Cherokee, Chilhowee, as the description by the Portu- 
guese gentlemen of the country around Chonalla applies to that around 
Chilhowee. " Canasaqua " is also mentioned in the Portuguese narration, 
and this name is thought to have been changed into Canasauga, which is 
the name of one of the tributaries of the Coosa, and it is also the name 
of a small town in the southeast corner of Polk County. Talise and 
Sequatchie are also mentioned, which seems to additionally confirm the 
theory of De Soto's presence in East Tennessee. In 1834 Col. Petti- 
val visited two forts or camps on the west bank of the Tennessee Eiver, 
one mile above Brown's Ferry, below the Muscle Shoals, and opposite the 
mouth of Cedar Creek, which he was certain "belonged to the expedition 
of Alphonso De Soto." This fact, if established, would be in confirmation 
of the theory that De Soto crossed the Tennessee Eiver to the northward, 
and then again to the southward on his march into what are now Ala- 
bama and Mississippi. 

But whatever may be the fact regarding the presence of De Soto's 
army in East Tennessee, there is no reasonable doubt of its having been in 
West Tennessee. After leaving Talise, De Soto, in response to an invi- 
tation from Tuscaluza, visited the residence of that cazique about fifteen 
leagues distant from Talise, and on the windings of the river. Contin- 
uing his march he arrived at Mauvilla, October 18, 1540, and here was 
compelled to fight one of his greatest battles, in which he lost eighty-two 
of his soldiers and inflicted a loss of 2,500 on the natives. Proving vic- 
torious he rested his army in the village of Mauvilla until November 18, 
when he started northward. After five days marching the Spaniards 
entered the province of Chicaza and approached the village, Cabusto, 
where another battle was fought with the Indians, and after winning this 
battle they arrived at Chicaza village December 18. Here, as at Mau- 
villa, they were surprised by a well concerted night attack from the Indi- 
ans, but were again victorious and resumed their march to Chiacilla, 
where they remained the rest of the winter. April 1, 1541, they marched 
four leagues and encamped beyond the boundaries of Chicaza. At Ali- 
bamo they fought their next battle, and then marched northward seven 
days through an uninhabited wilderness, and at length came in sight of 
Cliisca, seated near a wide river, the largest they had as yet discovered, 
and which they named the Eio Grande. Juan Coles, one of the followers 
of De Soto, says the Indians named the river Chucaqua. The Portuguese 
narrator says that in one place it was named Tomaliseii, in another Tu- 
pata, in another Mico, and where it enters the sea Ei, probably different 
names among the different tribes. The Portuguese gentlemen called 
Chisca by the name of Quizquiz.* 

*Ramsey. 7 



110 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Chisca is believed to have occupied the site of the present thriving- 
city of Memphis, On the morning of its discovery by the Spaniards 
they rushed into it in a disorderly manner, pillaging the houses and tak- 
ing numerous persons of both sexes prisoners. Chisca, the chief of the 
province, though ill, was exceedingly enraged, and was determined to 
rush forth and exterminate all who had thus dared to enter his province 
without permission. But he was restrained by his women and attend- 
ants, and after a proffer of peace by De Soto, became more peaceable, 
granted the request, and De Soto went into camp. The next morning- 
some of the natives advanced without speaking, turned their faces toward 
the east, and made a profound genuflection to the sun ; then turning to 
the west they made the same obeisance to the moon, and concluded with 
a similar but less profound reverence to De Soto. They then said they 
had come in the aiame of the cazique, Chisca, and in the name of all his 
subjects, to bid them welcome, and to offer their friendship and services. 
They also said they were desirous of seeing what kind of men the stran- 
gers were, as there was a tradition handed down ivom their ancestors that 
a white people would come and conquer their country.* 

The Spaniards remained at Chisca twenty days, at the end of which 
time, having built four piraguas, they were ready to cross the great river. 
About three hours before day De Soto ordered the piraguas to be 
launched, and four troopers of tried courage to cross in each. The troop- 
ers, when near the opposite shore, rushed into the water, and meeting 
with no resistance easily effected a landing, and were thus masters of the 
pass. The entire army was over the river two hours before the setting 
of the sun. The Mississippi Biver at this place, according to the Portu- 
guese narrator, was half a league across, was of great depth, very muddy, 
and was filled with trees and timber, carried along by the rapidity of the 
current. 

According to Bancroft, De Soto saw the Mississippi Biver for the first 
time April 25, 1541, being guided to it by the natives at one of their 
usual crossing places, probably the lowest Chickasaw Bluff, not far from 
the thirty-fifth j)arallel of latitude ; Belknap says within the thirty-fourth 
parallel; Andrew Elliott's journal says it was in thirty-four degrees and 
ten minutes ; "Martin's Louisiana" says a little below the lowest Chickasaw 
Bluff; "Nuttall's Travels in Arkansas" says at the lowest Chickasaw Bluff, 
and McCuUough says twenty or thirty miles below the mouth of the Ar- 
kansas Biver. 

From the time of De Soto's departure from Chisca there appears to 
have been no attempt at exploration within the present limits of Tennessee 

♦Irving. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. Ill 

until the year 1655, when Col. Wood, who lived at the falls of the James 
Eiver, sent suitable persons out on a tour of discovery to the westward. 
These parties crossed the Alleghany Mountains, and reached the Ohio 
and other rivers flowing into the Mississippi, And it is believed possi- 
ble by writers on this deptiitment of literature that Col. Wood's explorers 
followed the beautiful valley of Virginia, passed through the upper part 
of East Tennessee and the Cumberland Gap, and thus were the pioneers 
of that vast flood of immigration which but little more than a century later 
poured its current of life and activity into Tennessee. 

Less than twenty years after this conjectural tour through Tennessee 
of Col, Wood's adventurers two remarkable, historical personages passed 
down the Mississippi, and found between the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth 
parallels of latitude, on the eastern bank of the great river, densely popu- 
lated Indian villages. These celebrated personages were Marquette and 
Joliet, and these discoveries were made in June, 1673. In the map pub- 
lished in connection with Marquette's Journal, in 1681, highlands corre- 
sponding to the first, second and third Chickasaw. Bluffs are delineated 
with considerable accuracy, as is also a large island, known as President's 
Island. Reports of these visits and discoveries circulated in France ex- 
cited among their countrymen brilliant schemes of colonization along the 
banks of the Mississippi, and La Salle was commissioned to perfect the 
exploration of the great river and its immense and productive valley. In 
furtherance of this object La Salle descended the river to its mouth in 
1682, and planted the standard of France near the Gulf of Mexico, claim- 
ing the territory for that power, and naming it "Louisiana," in honor of 
his sovereign. Emperor Louis XIV. As he passed down the river he 
framed a cabin and built a fort on the first Chickasaw Bluff, naminof it 
PrmVliommc. Except the four piraguas, or pirogues, built at this point 
by the Spanish adventurer De Soto, in 1541, this cabin and fort built by 
the French explorer La Salle, in 1682, was the first handicraft by civilized 
man within the boundaries of Tennessee. 

While at this fort La Salle entered into friendly arrangements with the 
Chickasaw Indians for the opening of trade, and established a trading 
post, which he hoped would serve as a rendezvous for traders from the 
Illinois to posts which might afterward be established below. Since tlie 
time of La Salle the largest commercial city of Tennessee has been estab- 
lished and developed very near, if not precisely upon, the very spot 
selected by him for his trading post. But this State was not to be settled 
from the West. It was from Virginia and North Carolina that were to 
come the hardy sons of toil and courageous pioneers that were to convert 
the "howling wilderness," which Tennessee had been for centuries, into 



112 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

a populous, industrious and prosperous commonwealtli. After the deatli 
of Bacon immigration set in toward the west, and extended into the beauti- 
ful valley of Virginia. In 1690 the settlements reached the Blue Eidge, 
and explorations of the great West were soon afterward undertaken. In 
1714 accordino- to Eamsey, Col. Alexander Spottswood, then lieutenant- 
governor of Virginia, passed, and was the first to pass the Great Blue 
Hills, and his attendants, on account of having discovered a horse-pass, 
were called "Knights of the Horse Shoe." It has been said that during 
this tour Gov. Spottswood passed Cumberland Gap, and conferred this 
name upon the gap, the mountains and the river, which they have ever 
since retained, but this is probably an error. During the same year 
(1714) M. Charleville, a French trader from Crozat's colony, at New Or- 
leans, came among the Shawanees, then living upon the Cumberland 
Eiver, and opened trade with them. His store was upon a mound, on 
the present site of Nashville, west of the Cumberland Eiver, near French 
Lick Creek, and about seventy yards from each stream. But it is thought 
M. Charleville could not have remained long, for about this time the 
Chickasaws and Cherokees made a- combined attack upon the Shawanees, 
and drove them from their numerous villages along the lower Cumber- 
land. 

Evidently it was the design of the French at that time to exclude the 
English from the valley of the Mississippi and to confine their colonies 
to narrow limits along the Atlantic coast. In order to accomplish this 
purpose they endeavored to enlist in their behalf the native Indian 
tribes. Traders from Carolina having ventured to the countries of the 
Choctaws and Chickasaws had been driven from their villages through 
the influence of Bienville, France claiming the entire valley of the Miss- 
issippi by priority of discovery. According to Adair the eastern bound- 
aries of the territory at that time claimed by the French extended to the 
head springs of the Alleghany and Monongahela, of the Kanawha and of 
the Tennessee. One half mile from the head of the Savannah was 
'•Herbert's Spring," the water from which flows to the Mississippi, and 
strangers who drank of it would say they had tasted "French waters;" 
and the application of the name "French Broad" to the river now 
known by that name is thus explained. Traders and hunters from Caro- 
lina in passing from the head waters of Broad Eiver, and falling upon 
those of the stream with which they inosculate west of the mountains, 
and hearing of the French claim would naturally call the newly discov- 
ered stream the " French Broad." Not long after this the French built 
and garrisoned Fort Toulouse, at the confluence of the Coosa and Talla- 
poosa : Tombeckbee in the Choctaw country ; Assumption, on the Chick- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 118 

asaw Bluff, and Paducah, at the mouth of the Cumberland, and numerous 
trading posts along the Tennessee, indicative of their intention to main- 
tain possession of the country. 

To counteract the influence of the French and to frustrate their de- 
signs the English sent out Sir Alexander Gumming to treat with the 
Cherokees, who at that time occupied the country in the vicinity of the 
source of the Savannah River and back therefi'om to and beyond the Ap- 
palachian chain of mountains. Summoning the Lower, Middle Yalley 
and Overhill tribes. Sir Alexander met the chiefs of the Cherokee towns 
at Nequassa, in April, 1730, informed them by whom he was sent and 
demanded of them obedience to King George. The chiefs, falling upon 
their knees, solemnly promised what was demanded, and Sir Alexander, 
with their unanimous consent, nominated Moytoy, of Telliquo,* com- 
mander-in-chief of the Cherokee nation. The crown was brought from 
Tenassee,-!- their chief town, which together -with five eagle feathers and 
four scalps, taken from the heads of their enemies, they requested Sir 
Alexander to lay at his sovereign's feet. 

As has been seen above it was the policy of France to unite the ex- 
tremes of her North American possessions by a cordon of forts along the 
Mississippi Kiver; but the Chickasaws had hitherto formed an ol^stacle 
to the accomplishment of this design. This tribe of Indians was con- 
sidered inimical to the purposes of the French, and hence the French 
resolved upon their subjugation. A joint invasion was therefore made 
into their country by Bienville and D'Artuquette, which resulted dis- 
astrously to the invaders. The French, however, not to be deterred by 
disaster, toward the last of June, 1739, sent an army of 1,200 white men 
and double that number of red and black men, who took up their quar- 
ters in Fort Assumption, on the bluff of Memphis. The recruits from 
Canada sank under the torridity of the climate. In March, 1740, the 
small detachment proceeded to the Chickasaw country. They were met 
by messengers who supplicated for peace, and Bienville gladly accepted 
the calumet. The fort at Memphis was razed, and the Chickasaws re- 
mained the undoubted lords of the country. ;|; 

Thus did the present territory of Tennessee again rid itself of civil- 
ization, almost precisely two centuries after De Soto built his piraguas 
near the site of the razed Fort Assumption, on the banks of the Missis- 
sippi. But civilization can not be restrained. Settlements were gradu- 
ally extending from the Atlantic colonies toward Tennessee. In 1740 

* Probably the modern Tellico. 

t Teoassee was on the west bank of the present Little Tennessee River, a few miles above the mouth of 
Tellico, and afterward gave its name to Tennessee River and the State. 
^Bancroft 



114 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

there was a handsome fort at Augusta garrisoned by twelve or fifteen 
men, besides officers, and the boundary line between Virginia and North 
Carolina was extended in 1749 by commissioners appointed by their re- 
spective Legislatures to Holston Hiver, directly opposite Steep Rock. 
According to Haywood the Holston River was discovered by and settled 
upon by a man of that name, which event must therefore have occurred 
previous to 1749. Fort Dobbs was built in 1756, about twenty miles 
west of Salisbury, in accordance with the terms of a treaty between Col. 
Waddle and Attakullakulla, the Little Carpenter, in behalf of the Chero- 
kees. But to this treaty the Indians paid little attention, and hence it 
became necessary for Gov. Glenn, of South Carolina, to make an alliance 
with the Indians for the purpose of securing peace and protection to the 
frontier settlements. This alliance or treaty was made in 1755, at 
which a large cession of territory was made to the King of Great Britain, ' 
whom Gov. Glenn represented, and soon afterward Gov. Glenn built 
Fort Prince George upon and near the source of the Savannah River, 
300 miles from Charleston, and in the immediate proximity of an Indian 
town named Keown. 

In the spring of 1756 the Earl of Loudon, who had been appointed 
commander of the King's troops in America and governor of Virginia, 
sent Andrew Lewis out to build another fort on the southern bank of 
the Little Tennessee River, above the mouth of Tellico River, nearly 
opposite the spot upon which Tellico Block-house was afterward erected 
and about thirty miles from the site of Knoxville. Lewis named the 
structure Fort Loudon, in honor of the Earl. This fort is remarkable as 
being the first erected in Tennessee by the English, but authorities 
difiPer as to the year in which it was erected — some say in 1756, others in 
1757. In 1758 Col. Bird, of Virginia, erected Long Island Fort, on the 
north bank of the Holston, nearly opposite the upper end of Long Island. 
At this time the line between Virginia and North Carolina had not been 
extended beyond Steep Rock Creek, and this fort was thought to be in 
Virginia, but as the line when extended passed north of the fort, the 
Virginians have the honor of having erected the second Anglo-American 
fort within the limits of Tennessee. 

"While these events were taking place, numerous traders were making 
their way from the Atlantic coast to the south and west. In 1690 Doherty, 
a trader from Virginia, visited the Cherokees, and in 1730 Adair, from 
South Carolina, extended his tour through the towns of this tribe. In 
1740 other traders employed a Mr. Vaughn as packman to transport 
their goods. These traders passed to the westward along the Tennessee 
below the Muscle Shoals, and there came in competition with other trad- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 115 

«rs from New Orleans and Mobile. Those who returned to northern 
markets were usually heavily laden with peltries which sold at highly re- 
munerative prices. A hatchet, a pocket looking-glass or a piece of scarlet 
<}loth and other articles which cost but little and were of but little intrin- 
sic value would command among the Indians on the Hiwassee or the 
Tennessee peltries which could be sold for forty times their original cost 
in Charleston or Philadelphia. It is worthy of remark that most of these 
traders were Scotchmen who had been but a short time in the country, 
who were thus at peace with the Indians, and the commerce which they 
carried on proved a source of great profit and was with them for a time 
a monopoly. But this monopoly was not to be permitted long to continue. 
The cupidity of frontier hunters became excited as they perceived the 
heavily laden trader or packman returning from the far Western wilder- 
ness which they had not yet ventured to penetrate ; and as game became 
scarce in their own accustomed haunts east of the mountains they soon 
began to accompany the traders to the West and to trap and hunt on 
their own account. 

But these hunters and traders can scarcely be considered the precur- 
sors of the pioneer settlers of Tennessee. In 1748 Dr. Thomas Walker, 
of Virginia, in company with Cols. Wood, Patton and Buchanan and 
Capt. Charles Campbell, made an exploring tour upon the Western waters. 
Passing Powell's Valley he gave the name " Cumberland " to the lofty 
range of mountains on the west of the valley. Tracing this range in a 
southwest direction he came to a remarkable depression in the chain. 
Through this depression he passed, calling it " Cumberland Gap. " West 
of the range of mountains he found a beautiful mountain stream to which 
he gave the name of " Cumberland River, " all in honor of the Duke of 
Cumberland, then Prime Minister of England. The Indian name of the 
river was Warito. On account of the supposition that the Virginia line, 
if extended westward, would run south of its present location, a grant of 
land was made by the authorities in Virginia to Edmund Pendleton of 
3,000 acres lying in Augusta County on a branch of the middle fork of 
the Indian River, called West Creek, now in Sullivan County, Tenn. 
The original patent was signed by Gov. Dinwiddie, was presented to Dr. 
Ramsey by T. A. R. Nelson, of Jonesboro, and is probably the oldest 
patent in the State. 

In 1760 Dr. Walker again passed over Clinch and Powell Rivers on 
a tour of exploration into Kentucky. At the head of one of the parties 
ihat visited the West in 1761 " came Daniel Boone, from the Yadkin in 
North Carolina, and traveled with them as low as the place where Abing- 
don now stands and there left them." This is the first time the name of 



IIG HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Daniel Boone is mentioned by historians in connection with explorations 

into Tennessee, but there is evidence that he was in the State at least a 

year earlier, evidence that is satisfactory to most writers on the subject. 

N. Gammon, formerly of Jonesboro, and later of Knoxville, furnished 

to Dr. Ramsey a copy of an inscription until recently to be seen upon a 

beech tree standing in the valley of Boone's Creek, a tributary of the 

Watauga, which is here presented: 

D. Boon 

Cilled A BAR 

on Tree in the 

yeaR 

1760 

If Daniel Boone wrote or rather cut this inscription on the tree, as is 
generally believed to have been the case, it is not improbable that he ac- 
companied Dr. Walker on his second tour of exploration, which was made 
in 1760, and it fixes the date of his arrival in this State. But this, appar- 
ently, is not demonstrable. The New American Cyclopedia says in ref- 
erence to Daniel Boone: "When he was about eighteen his father re- 
moved to North Carolina and settled on the Yadkin. Here Daniel mar- 
ried Rebecca Bryan and for some years followed the occupation of a far- 
mer, bat about 1761 we find that his passion for hunting led him with 
a company of explorers into the wilderness at the head waters of the 
Tennessee river;" and Collins, in his History of Kentucky, writes as 
though Boone's knowledge of and interest in the wild- woods of Kentucky 
began upon hearing reports of their beauty and value by John Findley, 
who did not make his exploration until 1767, which will be referred to 
in its proper chronological connection. However, with regard to the 
inscription it would seem legitimate to inquire why did not Boone spell 
his own name correctly on the tree? 

In this same year, 1761, a company of about twenty hunters, chiefly 
from Virginia came into what is now Hawkins County, Tenn., and 
hunted in Carter's Yalley about eighteen months. Their names have not 
all been preserved; a portion of them, however, were Wallen, Scaggs, 
Blevins and Cox. Late in 1762 this party came again and hunted on 
the Clinch and other rivers, as was also the case in 1763 when they 
penetrated further into the interior, passed through Cumberland Gap, 
and hunted the entire season upon the Cumberland River. In 1764 
Daniel Boone, now in the employ of Henderson & Co., came again to 
explore the country. He was accompanied this time by Samuel Calla- 
way, ancestor of the Callaway family in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mis- 
souri. After Boone and Callaway came Henry Scaggins, who extended 
his tour to the lower Cumberland and fixed his station at Mausker's Lick^ 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 117 

the first exploration west of tlie Cumberland Mountains by an Anglo- 
American. In June, 17GG, according to Haywood, Col. James Smith set 
out to explore the rich lands between the Ohio and Cherokee Rivers, 
then lately ceded to Great Britain. Traveling westwardly from the Hol- 
ston River, in company with Joshua Horton, Uriah Stone and William 
Baker, and a slave belonging to Horton, they explored the country south 
of Kentucky, and the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers from Stone 
River, which they named after Uriah Stone, down to the Ohio. Arriving 
at the mouth of the Tennessee Col. Smith, accompanied by Horton's 
slave, returned to Carolina in October. The rest of the party went on to 
Illinois. 

The recital by Col. Smith of what he had seen on the lower Cumber- 
land, the extraordinary fertility of the soil, its rich flora, its exuberant 
pasture, etc., excited in the minds of the people in the Atlantic States 
which he visited an ardent and irrepressible desire to emigrate to that 
country. In 1767 John Findley, accompanied hj several persons, visited 
the West. Passing through Cumberland Gap he explored the country 
as far as the Kentucky River. Upon his return his glowing descriptions 
of the fertility of the country beyond the Cumberland Mountains excited 
the curiosity of the frontiersmen of North Carolina and Virginia no less 
than did those of Col. Smith. With reference to this journey of Findley, 
Collins says: 

"In 17(^)7 the return of Findley from his adventurous excursion into 
the unexplored wilds beyond the Cumberland Mountains, and the glow- 
ing account he gave of the richness and fertility of the new country, 
excited powerfully the curiosity and imagination of the frontier-back- 
woodsmen of Virginia and North Carolina, ever on the watch for adven- 
ture, and to whom the lonely wilderness with its perils presented attrac- 
tions which were not to be found in the close confinement and enervatina: 
inactivity of the settlements. To a man of Boone's temperament and 
tastes, the scenes described by Findley presented charms not to be 
resisted; and in 17G9 he left his family upon the Yadkin, and in company 
with five others, of whom Findley was one, he started to explore the coun- 
try of which he had heard so favorable an account. 

"Having reached a stream of water on the borders of the present State 
of Kentucky, called Red River, they built a cabin to shelter them from 
the inclemency of the weather (for the season had been very rainy), and 
divided their time between hunting and the chase, killing immense quan- 
tities of game. Nothing of particular interest .occurred until the 22d of 
December, 1769, when Boone, in company with a man named Stuart, 
being out hunting, was surprised and captured by the Indians. They 



118 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

remained with their captors seven days, till having, by a rare and power- 
ful exertion of self-control, suffering no signs of impatience to escape 
them, they succeeded in disarming the suspicions of the Indians, effected 
their escape without difficulty. * * * On regaining their 

camp they found it dismantled and deserted; the fate of its inmates was 
never ascertained, and it is worthy of remark that this is the last and 
almost only glimpse we have of Findley, the first pioneer." 

Ramsey says: " Of Findley nothing more is known than that he was 
the first hunter of Kentucky and the pilot of Boone to the dark and 
bloody ground." He also says that in December of that year (1769) 
John Stewart was killed by the Indians (quoting from Butler) " the first 
as far as is known in the hecatombs of white men, offered by the Indians 
to the god of battles in their desperate and ruthless contention for Ken- 
tucky." Boone, therefore, except possibly Findley, was the only one of 
this party of six who, passing through East Tennessee, made this explor- 
ation into Kentucky and returned. 

The events which immediately follow the above in chronological suc- 
cession have more or less relation to the Treaty of Paris, or the Peace 
of 1763, hence a brief account of that treaty is appropriate in this con- 
nection, and also from the fact that the territory, now comprising Ten- 
nessee, as well as a large amount of other territory, was by that treaty 
ceded by IVance to England. Of the effect of this treaty upon England, 
Bancroft says: 

" At the peace of 1763 the fame of England was exalted in Europe 
above that of all other nations. She had triumphed over those whom she 
called her hereditary enemies, and retained one-half a continent as a 
monument of her victories. Her American dominions extended without 
dispute, from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, from the Gulf of Mexico to 
Hudson's Bay, and in her older possessions that dominion was rooted as 
firmly in the affections of the colonists as in their institutions and laws. 
•The ambition of British statesmen might well be inflamed with the desire 
of connecting the mother country and her trans- Atlantic empire by indis- 
soluble bonds of mutual interests and common liberties." 

But this treaty, howsoever great may have been its effect upon the 
majesty and grandeur of the English Government, and howsoever great 
may have been the relief obtained by the French nation, neither French 
nor English appears to have taken into account the rights or well-being 
of the independent Indian tribes, the real owners of the territory ceded 
by the one nation to the other. Not having been consulted by the great 
powers, having been in fact entirely ignored, the Indians naturally 
refused to be bound by the transfer of their country by the French to the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. . 119 

English, and hence every excursion into their hunting ground was looked 
upon with jealousy, and was finally met with resistance as an invasion of 
their country, and an unwarranted encroachment iipon their rights. The 
Indians had been, in the years of their alliance with the French, pre- 
pared for this attitude toward the English, by the efforts of the people of 
the former nation to excite in the savage tribes fears of the designs of 
the English to dispossess them of their entire country. For the purpose 
of allaying as far as practicable, or removing these apprehensions, King 
George, on the 7tli of October, 1763, issued his proclamation prohibiting 
the provincial governors from granting lands or issuing land warrants to 
be located west of the mountains, or west of the sources of those streams 
flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. And all private persons were strictly 
enjoined from purchasing any lands of the Indians, such purchases 
being directed to be made, if made at all, at a general meeting or assem- 
bly of the Indians, to be held for that purpose by the governor or com- 
mander-in-chief of each colony, respectively. 

But no matter what may have been the intention of King George, of 
England, in the issuance of this proclamation, its effect upon the west- 
ward tide of immigration was imperceptible. The contagious spirit of ad- 
venture and exploration had now risen to the dignity of an epidemic. An 
avalanche of population was being precipitated upon these fertile valleys, 
hills and plains, and the proclamation of the King had no more effect 
upon these eager, moving masses than had the famous fulmination of the 
Pope against the comet. And the proclamation of the King was looked 
upon even by " the wise and virtuous George Washington and Chancellor 
Livingston " as an article to quiet the fears of the Indians while the oc- 
cupancy of their country went on all the same. In addition to the na- 
tural stimulus to this tide of immigration, of the immense advantages of 
the soil and climate, was the artificial stimulus of special grants of land 
by the provinces of Great Britain, with the approval of the crown, to offi- 
cers and soldiers who had . ^wed in the British Army against the French 
and their allies, the Indit _ .. Thus the King's proclamation was in di- 
rect contravention of the grants authorized by a previous proclamation 
of the King. By this latter mentioned, but earlier issued proclamation, 
officers and soldiers were granted lands as follows: Every person hav- 
ing the rfftik of a field officer, 5,000 acres; every captain, 3,000 acres; 
every subaltern or staff officer, 2,000 acres; every non-commissioned 
officer, 200 acres, and every private fifty acres. These officers and sol- 
diers, with scrip and military warrants in their hands, were constantly 
employed in selecting and locating their claims. These continued en- 
croachments kept the Indian tribes in a state of dissatisfaction and 



120 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

alarm, but though thus exasperated they refrained from open hostilities. 
Because of these encroachments and alarms the royal Government in- 
structed the superintendents of Indian affairs to establish boundary lines 
between the whites and Indians, and to purchase from the Indians the 
lands already occupied, to which the title had not been extinguished. 

Capt. John Stuart was at this time superintendent of southern In- 
dian affairs. On the lith of October, 17G8, Capt. Stuart concluded a 
treaty with the Cherokees at Hard Labour, S. C, by which the south- 
western boundary of Yirginia was fixed as follows: "Extending from the 
point where the northern line of North Carolina intersects the Cherokee 
hunting grounds, about thirty-six miles east of Long Island, in the Hol- 
ston Eiver; thence extending in a direct course, north by east, to Chis- 
well's Mine on the east bank of the Kanawha River, and thence down 
that stream to its junction with the Ohio." 

To follow the instructions of the royal Government in regard to pur- 
chasing the lands already occupied by the Indians was not easy of ac- 
complishment, because of the uncertainty as to which Indian tribe or 
tribes were the rightful proprietors of the soil. At the time of its ear- 
liest exploration the vast extent of country between the Ohio and Tennes- 
see Bivers was unoccupied by any Indian tribe. Indian settlements ex- 
isted on the Scioto and Miami Bivers on the north, and on the Little 
Tennessee on the south. Between these limits existed a magnificent for- 
est park, abounding in a great variety of game, which was thus the 
hunting ground of the Choctaws, Chickasaws and Cherokees of the 
south, and of the various tribes composing the Miami Confederacy of the 
north. It also served as a kind of central theater for the enactment of 
desperate conflicts of savage warriors and deadly enemies. Why this 
great extent of valuable country was, as by common consent of all the 
surrounding Indian tribes, left unoccupied will probably always remain 
unexplained except by conjecture. But though not inhabited by any 
tribe or nation, title to it was claimed by the confederacy of the Six Na- 
tions, and this confederacy, by a deputation sent to the superintendent 
of Indian affairs in the north, on the 6th of May, 1768, presented a for- 
mal remonstrance against the continued encroachments upon these lands. 
Upon consideration by the royal government of this remonstrance, in- 
structions were issued to Sir William Johnson, superintendent, to con- 
vene the chiefs and warriors of the tribes most interested. Accordingly 
this convention was held at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., October 21; 3,200 
Indians of seventeen different tribes attended, and on the 5th of Novem- 
ber a treaty and a deed of cession to the King were signed. In this the 
delegates from their respective nations declared themselves to be " the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 121 

true and absolute proprietors of the lands thus ceded," and that they had 
"continued the line south to the Cherokee or Hogohegee Eiver because 
the same is our true bounds with the southern Indians, and that we have 
an undoubted right to the country as far south as that river." This was 
the first deed from any aboriginal tribe for any lands within the present 
boundaries of Tennessee. 

The Waiau{)a Settlement. — Dr. Thomas Walker was Virginia's com- 
missioner to the convention at Fort Stanwix. Upon his return he brought 
with him the news of the cession. At the treaty at Hard Labour the In- 
dians had assented to an expulsion of the Holston settlements, and as a 
consequence the nucleus was formed of the first permanent settlement 
within the limits of Tennessee, in the latter part of December, 1768, and 
the early part of January, 1769. It was merely an enlargement of the 
Virginia settlements, and was believed to be in Virginia — the boundary 
line between Virginia and North Carolina not having been established 
west of Steep Eock. The settlers were principally from North Carolina, 
and some of them had been among the troops raised by that province and 
sent in 1760 to the relief of Fort Loudon, and others had wintered in 
1758 at Fort Long Island, around which a temporary settlement had 
been made but broken up. 

About the time of the incipiency of the Watauga settlement Capt. 
William Bean came from Pittsylvania County, Va., and settled with his 
family on Boone's Creek, a tributary of the Watauga. His son, Kussell 
Bean, was the first white child born in Tennessee. Bean's Station was 
named after him. About a month after Daniel Boone' " left his peaceful 
habitation on the Yadkin River, in quest of the country of Kentucky," 
a large company was formed for the purpose of exploring and hunting in 
Middle Tennessee. Some of them were from North Carolina, some from 
the vicinity of the Natural Bridge and others from Ingle's Ferry, Va. 
Some of their names are here introduced: John Rains, Casper Mansker, 
Abraham. Bledsoe, John Baker, Joseph Drake, Obadiah Terrell, Uriah 
Stone, Henry Smith, Ned Cowan and Robert Crockett. They established 
a rendezvous on New River, eight miles below Fort Chissel, and passing 
through Cumberland Gap, discovered southern Kentucky and fixed a 
station camp at what has since been known as Price's Meadow, in Wayne 
County. Robert Crockett was killed near the head waters of Roaring 
River, and after hunting eight or nine months the rest of the party 
returned home in April, 1770. After their return a party of about forty 
stout hunters was formed for the purpose of hunting and trapping west 
of the Cumberland. This party was led by Col. James Knox, who, with 
nine others, reached the lower Cumberland, and after a long absence, 



122 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

having made an extensive tour, returned liome and won the appellation 
of the " Long Hunters." 

The settlement on the Watauga continued to receive considerable 
accessions to its numbers, both from North and South Carolina and Vir- 
ginia. This was in part because of the comparatively unproductive hills 
and vallevs of those provinces and because of the absence of courts in 
South Carolina outside of the capital of the State previous to 1770. In 
this latter province the people felt under the necessity of taking the law 
into their own hands, and punished offenders by organized bodies of 
regulators. The regulators were opposed by the Scovilites, so named 
after their leader Scovil, who was commissioned by the governor to 
operate against the regulators, and from North Carolina the inhabitants 
were driven in part by the determination of the British Government to 
quarter troops in America at the expense of the colonies and to raise a 
revenue by a general stamp duty. After the defeat of the regulators by' 
Gov. Tryon on the Alamance May 16, 1771, numbers of them proceeaed 
to the mountains and found a cordial welcome in Watauga, remote from 
official power and oppression. While these movements were in progress 
the settlements were spreading beyond the limits established at Hard 
Labour and a new boundary had been agreed upon by a new treaty signed 
at Lochaber October 18, 1770. The new line extended from the south 
branch of Holston River, six miles east of Long Island, to the mouth of 
the Great Kanawha. 

At that time the Holston River was considered the boundary line 
between Virginia' and North Carolina. The Legislature of Virginia 
passed an act granting to every actual settler having a log cabin erected 
and some ground cultivated the right to 400 acres of land so located as 
to include his improvement, and subsequently extended the right to each 
settler to purchase 1,000 acres adjoining at a merely nominal cost. This 
generous action on the part of the Legislature of Virginia greatly stim- 
ulated immigration to the West, where every man could easily secure a 
valuable estate. Crowds immediately advanced to secure the proffered 
fortune, and afterward, when the boundary line was run, they found them- 
selves in North Carolina. But most of the new arrivals at Watauga 
came from North Carolina. Among those who came about this time was 
Daniel Boone, at the head of a party of immigrants, he acting merely as 
guide, which he continued to do until his death in 1820 or 1822. 

Early in 1770 came James Robertson, from Wake County, N. C, 
who, henceforth, for many years was destined to be one of the most use-* 
ful and prominent of the pioneers of Tennessee. He visited the new 
settlements forming on the Watauga, and found a settler named Honey- 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 123 

cutt living ill a liiit, who furnished him with food. On his return home 
he lost his way, and after wandering about for some time, nearly starving 
to death, he at length reached home in safety and soon afterward settled 
on the Watauga. During this same year hunting was carried on in the 
lower Cumberland country by a party composed of Mr. Mausker, Uriah 
Stone, John Baker, Thomas Gordon, Humphrey Hogan and Cadi Brook 
and four others. * They built two boats and two trapping canoes, loaded 
them with the results of their hunting and descended the Cumberland, 
the first navigation and commerce probably carried on upon that stream. 
Where Nashville now stands they discovered the French Lick, surrounded 
by immense numbers of buifalo and other wild game. Near the lick on 
a mound they found a stock fort, built, as they thought, by the Cherokees 
on their retreat from the battle at Chickasaw Old Fields. The party 
descended the Cumberland to the Ohio, met John Brown, the mountain 
leader, marching against the Senecas, descended the Ohio, meeting 
Frenchmen trading with the Illinois, and continued their voyage to 
Natchez, where some of them remained, while Mansker and Baker 
returned to New River. 

In the autumn of 1771 the lower Cumberland was further explored 
by Mansker, John Montgomery, Isaac Bledsoe, Joseph Drake, Henry 
Suggs, James Knox, William and David Lynch, Christopher Stoph and 
William Allen. The names of most of this company are now connected 
with different natural objects, as Mansker's Lick, Drake's Pond, Drake's 
Lick, Bledsoe's Lick, etc. After hunting some time and exhausting 
their ammunition they returned to the settlements. 

In the meantime the Holston and Watauga settlements were receiv- 
ing a steady stream of emigration. Most of those who came were honest, 
industrious pioneers, but there were those who did not posess these char- 
acteristics. These had fled from justice, hoping that in the almost in- 
accessible retreats of the frontiers to escape the punishment due them 
for their crimes. Here, from the necessities of their surroundings, they 
did find safety from prosecution and conviction. The inhabitants north 
of the Holston believing themselves to be in Virginia, agreed to be 
governed by the laws of that province. South of Holston was admitted 
to be in North Carolina, and here the settlers lived without law or pro- 
tection except by such regulations as they themselves adopted.* 

In 1772 Virginia made a treaty with the Cherokees by which it was 
decided to run a boundary line west from White Top Mountain in latitude 
thirty-six degrees thirty minutes. Soon after a deputy agent for the Gov- 
ernment of Great Britain, Alexander Cameron, resident among the Clier- 

*See chapter on organization. 



124 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

okees, ordered the settlers on the Watauga to move off. But some of 
the Cherokees expressing a wish that they might be permitted to remain 
provided no further encroachments were made, the necessity for their re- 
moval was avoided. But being still uneasy the settlers deputed James 
Robertson and John Boone to negotiate with the Indians for a lease. 
The deputies succeeded in effecting a lease for eight years for about 
$5,000 worth of merchandise, some muskets and other articles. 

About this time the Nollichucky Yalley was settled by Jacob Brown 
and one or two others upon the northern bank of the river. These fami- 
lies were from North Carolina. Brown bought a lease of a large tract of 
land with a small quantity of goods which he had brought from his for- 
mer home on his pack horse. A little before Brown made his settlement 
on the Nollichucky, Carter's Yalley was settled by Carter, Parker and 
others from Virginia, Carter's Yalley being north of the Holston was 
thought to be in Virginia. Carter & Parker opened a small store which 
was soon afterward robbed by the Indians, it Avas supposed by the Chero- 
kees, but no serious consequences followed. But the wanton killing of 
an Indian at the time of the execution of the Watauga lease, came near 
precipitating a conflict between the two races, which might have entirely 
destroyed the frontier settlements. James Robertson came to their re- 
lief and by his wisdom and intrepidity saved them from extermination by 
the outraged Cherokees. Robertson made a journey of 150 miles, and by 
his courage, calmness and fairness, by his assurances to the Indians that 
the white men intended to punish the murderer as soon as he could be 
found, saved the settlers from the fury of the savages. 

Two important events followed, viz. : The battle of Point Pleasant, and 
Henderson's Treaty. (For account of these events see elsewhere.) By 
this treaty of Henderson' all that tract of country lying between the 
Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers was relinquished to Henderson and 
his associates. This purchase was named Transylvania, and the estab- 
lishment of an independent government was at first, contemplated. Dur- 
ing the progress of this treaty which was concluded at Sycamore Shoals, 
Carter & Parker whose store had been robbed by Indians, as narrated 
above, demanded, in compensation for the loss inflicted upon them. Car- 
ter's Valley, to extend from Cloud's Creek to the Chimney Top Moun- 
tain of Beech Creek. The Indians consented to this upon the condition 
of additional consideration, and in order to enable them to advance the 
price Messrs. Carter & Parker took Robert Lucas into partnership. 
These lands were afterward found to be in North Carolina. 

The Watauga Association, holding their lands under an eight years' 
lease, were desirous of obtaining a title in fee. Two days after the Hen- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 125 

•tier son purchase they succeeded in securing a deed of conveyance to 
Charles Eobertson of a large extent of country. It was made March 19, 
1775, and is recorded in the register's office of Washington County. 
This deed was signed by Oconostota, Attakullakulla, Tenassee War- 
rior and Willinawaugh in presence of John Sevier, William Bailey 
Smith, Jesse Benton, Tillman Dixon, William Blevins and Thomas 
Price, and conveyed for the sum of £2,000 lawful money of Great 
Britain, all that tract of land, including all the waters of the Watauga, 
part of the waters of Holston and the head branches of New Biver, or 
Great Kanawha. These lands were afterward regularly patented to the 
settlers, the first patentee being Joshua Haughton. But it is proper here 
to refer to a deed to Jacob Brown by which for the consideration of 10 
shillings, a "principality" was conveyed to him embracing much of the 
best land in Washington and Greene Counties. This deed was dated 
March 25, 1775. 

At this time the colonial government claimed the exclusive right to 
purchase lands of the Indians as one of the prerogatives of sovereignty, 
and Gov. Martin pronounced the purchase, at Watauga, of the Cher- 
okee lands illegal, alleging in his proclamation against it that it was 
made in violation of the king's proclamation of October 7, 1763, the effect 
of which proclamation has been already described as a hrutum fulmen. 
This proclamation of Gov. Martin was equally harmless. 

The Watauga settlement constantly increased in numbers, and the 
tribunal consisting of five commissioners chosen by themselves settled 
all controversies arising among the people. Its sessions were held at 
regular intervals, and its business increased with the growth of the colony. 
No records of this court have been discovered, but while searching among 
the public papers of North Carolina, Dr. Bamsey found a petition fi-om 
the Watauga settlement praying to be annexed to North Carolina as a 
county, as a district, or as some other division. This petition is without 
a date, and is in the hand-writing of John Sevier. The chairman of the 
meeting which adopted it was John Carter, whose grandson was chairman 
of the Constitutional Convention of 1834. The petition was received by 
the general assembly of North Carolina, August 22, 1776, and was 
signed by 112 persons. It commences thus: "The humble petition of 
the inhabitants of Washington District, including the Biver Wataugah, 
Nonachuckie, etc., in committee assembled, humbly sheweth, etc." The 
committee who drew up this petition were as follows : John Carter, 
chairman; Charles Bobertson, James Bobertson, Zachariah Isbell, John 
Sevier, James Smith, Jacob Brown, William Bean, John Jones, George 
Bussell, Jacob Womack and Bobert Lucas. The name Washington Dis- 



126 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

trict is believed to have been suggested bj Joliii Sevier, and thus the 
pioneers of Tennessee were probably the first to honor Washington. 

The Provincial Congress convened at Halifax, November 12, 1776^ 
and continued in session until December 18. From " Washington Dis- 
trict, Watauga Settlement," were present John Carter, Charles Eobert- 
son, John Haile and John Sevier ; Jacob Womack was elected, but did 
not attend. A bill of rights and a State constitution were adopted, in 
the former of which the limits of the State are made to extend westward 
"so far as is mentioned in the charter of King Charles the Second, to 
the late proprietors of Carolina." The following clause is also in the 
Declaration of Rights, "That it shall not be construed so as to prevent the 
establishment of one or more governments westward of this State, by 
consent of the Legislature." 

While these events were in progress, other events were either tran- 
spiring or in embryo, which were of transcendent importance to the 
three centers of settlement — at Carter's at Watauga, and at Brown's. 
Difficulties between Great Britain and her American colonies had already 
commenced, the dawn of the American Eevolution was at hand. Every 
means was to be employed by the mother country in reducing to submis- 
sion her refractory subjects, one of those measures being to arm the 
neighboring Indian tribes and to stimulate them to fall upon and destroy 
the feeble settlements on the frontier. 

The war with the Cherokees having happily come to an end, and 
prosperity having returned to the settlements, a treaty was made with 
them, and signed July 20, 1777. In April of that year the Legislature 
of North Carolina passed an act for the purpose of encouraging the 
militia and volunteers in prosecuting the war against the Cherokees. 

At the same session an act was passed establishing Washington Dis- 
trict, appointing justices of the peace, and establishing courts of pleas 
and quarter sessions. In November following, Washington County was 
created, to which was assigned the entire territory of the present State of 
Tennessee. A land office was provided for in Washington County, and 
each head of a family was permitted to take up for himself G40 acres of 
land, for his wife 100 acres, and 100 acres for each of his children. The 
ease and small expense with which land entries could be made, led 
numerous poor men westward, for without a dollar in his pocket the 
immigrant, upon arriving at the distant frontier, and upon selecting a 
homestead, at once became a large land-owner, and almost instantaneously 
acquired a competency and an independency for himself and his family. 
These men brought no wealth, but they did bring what was of more 
value — industry, frugality, hardihood, courage, economy and self-reli- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 127 

ance — and of such material was the foundation of society in the future 
great State of Tennessee composed. During this year a road was laid 
out and marked from the court house in Washington County to the 
county of Burke; and the first house covered with shingles was put up a 
few miles east of where Jonesboro now stands. In 1778 the Warm 
Springs on the French Broad were accidentally discovered by Henry 
Reynolds and Thomas Morgan. 

By the treaty made at Watauga in March, 1775, which has been al- 
ready alluded to, the Cherokees deeded to Henderson & Co. all the lands 
between the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers. A portion of this pur- 
chase was within the supposed boundary of North Carolina, and numbers 
of explorers continued to pass through Cumberland Gap on their way to 
Middle Tennessee. Among them Mansker renewed his visits in Novem- 
ber, 1775, and accompanied by Bryant and others encamped at Mansker 
Lick. Mansker and three others remained hunting and trapping on the 
Sulphur Fork of Red River. Thomas Sharp, Holliday, Spencer and 
others came in 177() to the Cumberland and built a number of cabins. 
The rest returning, Spencer and Holliday remained until 1779. Capt. 
De Munbreun came to Middle Tennessee about 1775 and established his 
residence at Eaton's Station. He hunted through Montgomery County, 
and during the summer of 1777 he saw some parties at Deacon's Pond, 
near the present site of Palmyra. In 1778 a settlement was formed near 
Bledsoe's Lick in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation, and about the Same 
time a party of French erected a trading post at '• The Bluff," with the 
approval of the Chickasaws. Other parties kept coming to the lower 
Cumberland. Richard -Hogan, Spencer, Holliday and others were there, 
and in the spring of 1778 they planted a small field of corn, the first 
plantation in Middle Tennessee. A large hollow tree stood near Bled- 
soe's Lick in which Spencer lived. Holliday, becoming dissatisfied, was 
determined to leave the country, and Spencer, unable to dissuade him 
from his purpose, accompanied him to the barrens of Kentucky, breaking 
and giving to Holliday one half of his own knife, and returned to his 
hollow tree, where he spent the remainder of the winter. Spencer was 
a very large man, and one morning, having passed the cabin occupied by 
one of De Munbreun' s hunters, and left his immense tracks in the rich 
alluvial soil, which were discovered by the hunter on his return, the hun- 
ter became affrighted, immediately swam the Cumberland and wandered 
through the woods until he reached the French settlements on the Wa- 
bash. 

In 1779 there was nothing in the valley of the lower Cumberland, 
except the hunter's camp and the lonely log habitation of Spencer. But 



128 HISTOltY OF TENNESSEE, 

in the spring of that year a small party of brave pioneers left the parent 
settlement on the Watauga, crossed the Cumberland Mountains, and, ar- 
riving at the French Lick, pitched their tents and planted a field of corn 
on the present site of Nashville. This was near the lower ferry, and the 
party consisted of Capt. James Robertson, George Freeland, William 
Neely, Edward Swanson, James Hanly, Mark Robertson, Zachariah 
White and William Overall. A number of others, piloted by Mansker, 
soon joined this party. Having put in their crop of corn White, Swanson 
nnd Overall remained to care for it, while the rest returned to their 
families, Capt. Robertson by the way of Illinois to see Gen. George 
Rogers Clarke. Upon their return to the Watauga John Rains and 
others were persuaded to accompany Robertson to the French Lick. 
Other companies also were induced to join them, and at length a party of 
from 200 to 300 was collected, which in the fall started to the new settle- 
ment Avhere Nashville now stands. Their route lay through Cumberland 
Gap and along the Kentucky trace to Whitley's Station; thence to Car- 
penter's Station, on Green River; thence to Robertson's Fork; thence 
down Green River to Pitman's Station; thence crossing and descending 
that river to Little Barren, crossing it at Elk Lick ; thence past the Blue 
and Dripping Springs to Big Barren; thence up Drake's Creek to a bitu- 
minous spring ; thence to the Maple Swamp ; thence to Red River at 
Kilgore's Station; thence to Mansker's Creek and thence to the French 
Lick. The time consumed in this journey does not appear, but it was 
longer than was anticipated, on account of the depth of the snow and the 
inclemency of the weather, and they did not arrive at their destination 
until about the beginning of the year 1780. Som^ of them remained on 
the north side of the Cumberland and settled at or near Eaton's Station, 
but most of them, immediately after their arrival, crossed the river upon 
the ice, and settled where Nashville now stands. Both parties,, those 
who remained on the north side of the river and those who crossed over 
to the south side, built block-houses, connected by stockades, as a defense 
against possible, and as they believed probable, future attacks upon them 
by the Indians, and the logic of events proved the wisdom of their course. 
Freeland' s Station was established about this time, and likewise Dead- 
erick's Station by John Rains. 

While these brave and hardy adventurers were pursuing their peril- 
ous journey through the wilderness of Kentucky and Tennessee, several 
boat loads of other adventurers, no less brave and no less hardy, were 
pursuing even a still more perilous journey down the Tennessee, up the 
Ohio and up the Cumberland, having in view the same objective point. 
This latter party was composed of friends and relatives of the former to 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 129 

a considerable extent. They started from Fort Patrick Henry, near 
Long Island, and were commanded by Col. John Donelson, the projector 
of the voyage. Col. Donelson kept a journal, giving full particulars of 
the remarkable adventure, the principal parts of which are here inserted: 
" Journal of a voyage intended, by God's permission, in the good 
boat 'Adventure,' from Fort Patrick Henry on Holston Eiver to the French 
Salt Spring on Cumberland Eiver, kept by John Donaldson. 

" December 22, 1779. — Took our departure from the fort and fell 
down the river to the mouth of Keedy Creek, where we were stopped by 
the fall of water and most excessive hard frost, and after much delay and 
many difficulties we arrived at the mouth of Cloud's Creek on Sunday 
evening the 20th of February, 1780, where we lay by until Sunday, 27th, 
when we took our departure with sundry other vessels, bound for the 
same voyage, and on the same day struck the Poor Valley Shoal, to- 
gether with Mr. Boyd and Mr. Rounsifer, on which shoal we lay th^,t 
afternoon and succeeding night in great distress. 

"Monday, February 28, 1780.— In the morning, the water rising, we 
got off the shoal, after landing thirty persons to lighten the boat. In 
attempting to land on an island we received some damage and lost sundry 
articles, and came to camp on the south shore, where we joined sundry 
other vessels, also bound down. ******* 

"March 2d. — Rain about half the day; passed the mouth of French 
Broad River, and about 12 o'clock, Mr. Henrys boat being driven on the 
point of an island by the force of the current, was sunk, the whole cargo 
much damaged and the crew's lives much endangered, which occasioned 
the whole fleet to put on shore and go to their assistance, but with much 
difficulty bailed her in order to take in her cargo again. The same af- 
ternoon Reuben Harrison went out a hunting and did not return that 
night, though many guns were fired to fetch him in. 

" March 3d. — Early in the morning fired a four-pounder for the lost 
man ; sent out sundry persons to search the woods for him ; firing many 
guns that day and the succeeding night, but all without success, to the 
great grief of his parents and fellow travelers. 

" Saturday 4th. — Proceeded on our voyage, leaving old Mr. Harrison 
with some other vessels to make further search for his lost son. About 10 
o'clock the same day, found him a considerable distance down the river, 
where Mr. Benjamin Belew took him on board his boat. At 3 o'clock P. 
M., passed the mouth of Tennessee River, and camped on the south shore 
about ten miles below the Tennessee. 

" Sunday 5th. — Cast off and got under way before sunrise; 12 o'clock 
passed the mouth of Clinch; came up with the Clinch River Company, 
whom he joined and camped, the evening proving rainy. 



130 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

" Monday 6th. — Got under way before sunrise. * * * * 

Camped on the north shore where Capt. Hutching' s negro man died, 
being much frosted in his feet and legs, of which he died. 

" Tuesday 7th. — Got under way very early, the day proving very 
windy, at S. S. W., and the river being wide occasioned a high sea, inso- 
much that some of the smaller crafts were in danger ; therefore came to at the 
uppermost Chickamauga town, which was then evacuated, where \7e lay by 
that afternoon and camped that night. The wife of Ephraim was here 
delivered of a child. Mr. Peyton has gone through by land with Capt. 
Kobertson. 

" Wednesday 8th. — Cast off at 10 o'clock and proceeded down to an 
Indian village, which was inhabited, on the south side of the river ; they 
insisted on us to ' come ashore,' called us brothers, and showed other 
signs of friendship, insomuch that Mr. John Caffrey and my son then 
on board took a canoe, which I had in tow, and were crossing over to 
them, the rest of the fleet having landed on the opposite shore. After they 
had gone some distance a half-breed, who called himself Archy Coody, 
with several other Indians, jumped into a canoe, met them, and advised 
them to return to the boat, which they did, together with Coody and sev- 
eral canoes which left the shore and followed directly after him. They 
appeared to be friendly. After distributing some presents among them, 
with which they seemed much pleased, we observed a number of Indians 
on the other side embarking in their canoes, armed and painted in red 
and black. Coody immediately made signs to his companions, ordering 
them to quit the boat, which they did; himself and another Indian re- 
maining with us, and telling us to move off instantly. We had not gone 
far before we discovered a number of Indians armed and painted, pro- 
ceeding down the river as it were to intercept us. Coody the half-breed 
and his com2:)anion sailed witli us for some time, and telling us that we 
had passed all the towns and were out of danger, left us. But we had 
not gone far until we had come in sight of another town situated likewise 
on the south side of the river, nearly opposite a small island. Here they 
again invited us to come on shore, called us brothers, and observing the 
boats standing off for the opposite channel, told us that ' their side of the 
river was better for the boats to pass.' And here we must regret the 
unfortunate death of young Mr. Payne, on board Capt. Blackmore's 
boat, who was mortally wounded by reason of the boat running too near 
the northern shore opposite the town, where some of the enemies lay con- 
cealed, and the more tragical misfortune of poor Stuart, his family and 
friends, to the number of twenty-eight persons. This man had embarked 
with us for the western country, but his family being diseased with the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 131 

small-pox, it was agreed upon between him and the company that he 
should keep at some distance in the rear, for fear of the infection spread- 
ing, and he was warned each night when the encampment should take 
place by the sound of a horn. After we had passed the town, the 
Indians, having now collected to a considerable number, observing his 
helpless situation, singled off from the rest of the fleet, intercepted him, 
and killed and took prisoners the whole crew, to the great grief of the 
whole company, uncertain how soon they might share the same fate ; their 
cries were distinctly heard by those boats in the rear. 

"We still perceived them marching down the river in considerable 
bodies, keeping pace with us until the Cumberland Mountain withdrew 
them from our sight, when we were in hopes we had escaped them. We 
were now arrived at the place called the Whirl or Suck, where the river is 
compressed within less than half its common width above, by the Cumber- 
land Mountain, which juts in on both sides. In passing through the upper 
part of these narrows, at a place described by Coody, which he termed 
the "Boiling Pot," a trivial accident had nearly ruined the expedition. 
One of the company, John Cotton, who was moving down in a large 
canoe, had attached it to Robert Cartwright's boat, into which he and his 
family had gone for safety. The canoe was here overturned and the 
little cargo lost. The company, pitying his distress, concluded to halt 
and assist him in recovering his property. They had landed on the 
northern shore at a level spot, and were going up to the place, when the 
Indians, to our astonishment, appeared immediately over us on the oppo- 
site cliffs, and commenced firing down upon us, which occasioned a 
precipitate retreat to the boats. We immediately moved off ; the Indians 
lining the bluffs along continued their fire from the heights on our boats 
below, without doing any other injury than wounding four slightly. 
Jennings' boat was missing. 

" We have now passed through the Whirl. The river widens with a 
placid and gentle current, and all the company appear to be in safety 
except the family of Jonathan Jennings, whose boat ran on a large rock 
projecting out from the northern shore, and was partly immersed in water 
immediately at the Whirl, where we were compelled to leave them, 
porhaps to be slaughtered by their merciless enemies. Continued to sail 
on that day and floated throughout the following night. * * * 

" Friday 10th. — This morning about 4 o'clock we were surprised by 
the cries of " help poor Jennings " at some distance in the rear. He 
had discovered us by our fires, and came up in the most wretched condi- 
tion. He states that as soon as the Indians discovered his situation they 
turned their whole attention to him, and kept up a most galling fire at 



132 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

his boat. He ordered liis wife, a sou nearly grown, a young man who 
accompanied them, and his negro man and woman, to throw all his goods 
into the river, to lighten their boat for the purpose of getting her off, 
himself returning their fire as well as he could, being a good soldier and 
an expert marksman. But before they had accomplished their object 
his son, the young man, and the negro, jumped out of the boat and left 
them. Mr. Jennings, however, and the negro woman succeeded in 
unloading the boat, but chiefly through the efforts of Mrs. Jennings, who 
got out of the boat and shoved her off , but was near falling a victim to 
her own intrepidity on account of the boat starting so suddenly as soon 
as loosened from the rock. Upon examination he appears to have made 
a wonderful escape, for his boat is pierced in numberless places with 
bullets. It is to be remarked that Mrs. Peyton, who was the night before 
delivered of an infant, which was unfortunately killed upon the hurry 
and confusion consequent upon such a disaster, assisted them, being 
frequently exposed to wet and cold then and afterward, and that her 
health appears to be good at this time and I think and hope she will do 
well. Their clothes were much cut with bullets especially Mrs. Jen- 

Til n o*Gi ^ tf ^ '1^ TF ^ Tjc 

"Sunday 12th. — Set out, and after a few hours' sailing heard the 
crowing of cocks and soon came within view of the town ; here they fired 
on us again without doing any injury. 

" After running until about 10 o'clock came in sight of the Muscle 
Shoals. Halted on the northern shore at the appearance of the shoals, 
to search for the signs Capt. James Robertson was to make for us at that 
place. He set out from Holston early in the fall of 1779, was to proceed 
by the way of Kentucky to the Big Salt Lick on Cumberland River, with 
several others in company, was to come across from the Big Salt Lick 
to the upper end of the shoals, there to make such signs that we might 
know he had been there and that it was practicable for us to go across 
by land. But to our great mortification we can find none — from which 
we conclude that it would not be prudent to make the attempt, and are 
determined, knowing ourselves to be in such imminent danger, to pursue 
our journey down the river. After trimming our boats in the best 
manner possible we ran through the shoals before night. * * * 
Our boats frequently dragged on the bottom; * * * they 

warped as much as in a rough sea. But by the hand of Providence we 
are preserved from this danger also. I know not the length of this 
wonderful shoal ; it had been represented to me to be twenty-five or thirty 
miles. If so we must have descended very rapidly, as indeed we did, for 
we passed it in about thf ee hours. ****** 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 133 

"Wednesday 15tli. — Got under way and moved on peaceably tlie five 
following days, Avhen we arrived at the mouth of the Tennessee on Mon- 
day, the 20th, and landed on the lower point immediately on the bank of 
the Ohio. Our situation here is truly disagreeable. The river is very 
high and the current rapid, our boats not constructed for the purpose of 
stemming a rapid stream, our provisions exhausted, the crews almost 
worn down with hunger and fatigue, and we know not what distance we 
have to go, or what time it will take us to reach our place of destination. 
The scene is rendered still more melancholy, as several boats will not attempt 
to ascend the rapid current. Some intend to descend the Mississippi to 
Natchez, others are bound for the Illinois — among the rest my son-in-law 
and daughter. We now part perhaps to meet no more, for I am deter- 
mined to pursue my course, happen what will. * * * * 

" Friday 24th. — About 3 o'clock came to the mouth of a river which 
I thought was the Cumberland. Some o^ the company declared it could 
not be — it was so much smaller than was expected. But I never heard 
of any river running in between the Cumberland and Tennessee. We 
determined, however, to make the trial, pushed up some distance and 
encamped for the night. 

"Saturday, 25th. — To-day we are much encouraged. The river 
grows wider; the current is gentle and we are now convinced it is the 
Cumberland. ******* 

"Friday, 31st. — Set out this day, and after running some distance met 
with Col. Kichard Henderson, who was running the line between Virginia 
and North Carolina. At this meeting we were much rejoiced. * * * 
Camped at night near the mouth of a little river, at which place and below 
there is a handsome bottom of rich land. Here we found a pair of 
hewed mill-stones, set up for grinding, but appearing not to have been 
used for a long time. 

"Proceeded on quietly until the 12th of April, at which time we came 
to the mouth of a little river running in on the north side, by Moses Een- 
froe and his company, called Red Eiver, upon which they intended to settle. 
Here they took leave of us. We proceeded up the Cumberland, nothing 
happening material until the 23d, when we reached the first settlement on 
the north side of the river, one mile and a half below the Big Salt Lick, 
and called Eaton's Station, after a man of that name, who with several 
other families came through Kentucky and settled there. 

"Monday, April 24th. — -This day we arrived at our journey's end, at 
the Big Salt Lick, where we have the pleasure of finding Capt. Robertson 
and his company. It is a source of satisfaction to us to be enabled to 
restore to him and others their families and friends, who were intrusted 



134 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

to our care, and who some time since, perhaps, they despaired of ever 
meeting again. Though our prospects at present are dreary, we have 
found a few log cabins, which have been built on a cedar bluff above 
the Lick by Capt. Robertson and his company." 

This journal here presented may be found in full in Ramsey. In 
copying out of his work, unimportant portions have been omitted for the 
sake of saving space. This emigration of Col. Donelson ranks as one of 
the most remarkable achievements in the settlement of the West, and as 
the names of the participators in the expedition have far more than a 
local interest, they are here inserted: John Donelson, Sr., Thomas Hutch- 
ings, John Caffrey, John Donelson, Jr., Mrs. James Robertson and five 
children, Mrs. Purnell, M. Rounsifer, James Cain, Isaac Neelly, Jona- 
than Jennings, Benjamin Belew, Peter Looney, Capt. John Blackmore, 
Moses Renfroe, William Crutchfield, James Johns, Hugh Henry, Sr., 
Benjamin Porter, Mrs. Mary Henry (widow), Frank Armstrong, Hugh 
Rogan, Daniel Chambers, Robert Cartwright, Mr. Stuart, David Gwinn, 
John Boyd, Reuben Harrison, Frank Haney, Mr. Maxwell, John Mont- 
gomery, John Cotton, Thomas Henry, John Cockrell, John White, Sol- 
omon White and Mr. Payne. The above list of names is copied from 
Putnam. Ramsey gives these additional ones: Isaac Lanier, Daniel 
Dunham, Joseph and James Renfroe, Solomon Turpin and John Gibson. 
There were other persons, men, women and children, whose names have 
not been -preserved. The total number of persons in this expedition is 
not known, but from the best information obtainable there were at least 
thirty boats in the entire fleet, no one of which contained less than two 
families. 

With reference to the fate of the three young men who ran away from 
Mr. Jennings, when his boat was attacked, as narrated in Capt. Donel- 
son's journal, authorities are not agreed. Ramsey and John Carr agree 
in stating that the negro man was drowned, and that the young man, whose 
name is not given, was taken to Chickamauga Town, where he was killed and 
burned, and that young Jennings was ransomed by an Indian trader named 
Rogers, and afterward restored to his parents. Putnam, however, doubts 
the correctness of this narration, especially so far as it refers to the burn- 
ing of the young man. He says "such cruelty and crime have not been 
clearly proven against them (the Indians)." But as both Ramsey and 
Carr say "they killed and burned the young man," it may justly be inferred 
that the "burning occurred after the killing," or, in other words, they 
killed and then burned the body of the young man, and thus the "cruelty 
and crime" would consist in the killine: and not in the burninof. 

The capture of Stuart's boat and crew, among wdiom were the several 



HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 135 

cases of small-pox, as narrated in Capt. Donelson's journal, resulted in 
great mortality among tlie Indians, many of whom were attacked by the 
disease with fatal results. It is said that when attacked and when the 
fever was upon them they took a "heavy sweat" in their houses, and then 
leaped into the river, the remedy being no less fatal than the disease 
itself. Putnam quotes approvingly from the "narrative of Col. Joseph 
Brown," that this mortality was " a judgment upon the Indians," though 
just how it can have been a judgment upon the Indians, any more tharkit 
and the capture and killing of so many of Stuart's family was a judgment 
on them, is not easily discernible. 



CHAPTER V. 

Settlement Concluded— Results of Donelson's Voyage— The French Lick 
— The Establishment of Many Block-houses, Stations, Etc. — The Long 
Reign of Trying Times— The Military Warrants and Grants— Pioneer 
Customs— Government of the Cumberland Colony — The Emigrant 
Road— Col. Brown's Disastrous Voyage— North Carolina's Neglect of 
THE Colonies— Their Isolation and Suffering — The Tennessee Land 
Company — National Executive Interference — Designs of the Compa- 
nies Thwarted by the Effective Acts of the Citizens of Georgia- 
Summary OF Tennessee Land Grants — The Western Purchase — The 
CiiiCKASAWs — Entry of the Whites into West Tennessee — The Bluffs — 
Permanent Settlement — Incidents and Anecdotes. 

THE principal results of the emigration of Col. Donelsonto Middle Ten- 
nessee were the establishment of the settlements at and near the 
Bluff and the subsequent formation of an independent government May 
1, 1780, a number of years before the organization of the State of Frank- 
lin. Some of these early settlers plunged at once into the adjoining for- 
ests. Col. Donelson himself, with his family, being one of the number. 
He went up the Cumberland, and erected a small fort at a place since 
called Clover Bottom, ner.r Stone River, and on the south side of that 
stream. Dr. Walker, Virginia's commissioner for running the boundary 
line between that State and North Carolina, arrived at the Bluff, accom- 
panied by Col. Richard Henderson and his two brothers, Nathaniel and 
Pleasant. Col. Henderson erected a station on Stone River, remained 
there some time, and sold lands under the deed made to himself and part- 
ners at Watauga in March, 1775, by the Cherokees. The price charged 
for this land by Col. Henderson was $10 per 1,000 acres. The certifi- 
cate of purchase contained a clause by which it was set forth that pay- 
ment for the land was conditioned on the confirmation of the Henderson 



136 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

treaty by the j^roper authorities; but both the States o£ Virginia and 
North Carolina annulled his title, or rather declared it to be null and 
void ab inifio, and refused to recognize the sales made by him or his com- 
pany, and purchasers on contracts made with him were never urged to 
make payment for their lands. But notwithstanding the fact that the 
two States decided that the Transylvania Company had not by the pur- 
chase acquired any title to the lands, on the ground that private individ- 
uals had no power or right to make treaties with Indian tribes, yet they 
at the same time decided that the Indians had divested themselves of 
their title to them, and hence Transylvania became divided between the 
two States of North Carolina and Virginia. But each State, on account 
of the expenditures of the company and the labor to which they had been 
and the interest manifested by them in the welfare of the early settlers, 
made to them a grant of 200,000 acres. The Virginia grant was on 
the Ohio River in what is now Henderson County, Ky., and the North 
Carolina grant was bounded as follows: "Beginning at the old Indian 
town in Powell's Valley, running down Powell's Eiver not less than four 
miles in width on one or both sides thereof to the junction of Powell and 
Clinch Bivers ; then down Clinch Biver on one or both sides not less than 
twelve miles in width for the aforesaid complement of 200,000 acres." 
The remaining part of the land was devoted to public uses. 

The little band of immigrants at the Bluff were in the midst of a vast 
extent of country a];^parently uninhabited by Indians, Savage tribes were 
to be found in all directions, but toward the south none were known to be 
north of the Tennessee, and toward the north none were known to h& 
south of the Ohio. Apparently no lands within or near the new settle- 
ments were claimed by Creek or Cherokee, Chickasaw or Choctaw ; hence 
a sense of safety soon manifested itself among the pioneers, and hence, 
also, many of them began to erect cabins for individual homes in the wild 
woods, on the barrens or on the prairie where no pathway or trace of 
animal or human could be seen; and in their anxiety to make improve- 
ments on their individual claims and to become independent, many of 
the more thoughtless of them were reluctant to devote much of their 
time and labor to the erection of forts, stockades and palisades to which 
all could retreat for mutual defense in case of an attack by the now 
apparently harmless lords of the soil. But this desire, laudable though 
it was when not carried to the extreme of imprudence, was by the wise 
and experienced among them sufficently repressed to secure an agree- 
ment on the part of all to give a portion of their valuable time to the 
erection of a few forts and depositories for arms, ammunition and pro- 
visions. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 137 

The fort at the Bluffs, called Nashborough, in honor of Francis Nash, 
of North Carolina, a brigadier-general in the Continental Army, was to 
be the principal fort and headquarters for all. The others were as fol- 
lows: Freeland's, at the spring in North Nashville; Eaton's, upon the 
east side of the river upon the first highland at the river bank; Gasper's, 
about ten miles north at the sulphur spring where now stands the town 
of Goodlettsville ; Asher's, on Station Camp Creek, on the bluff, about 
three miles from Gallatin; Bledsoe's, near the sulphur spring about seven 
miles from Gallatin; Donelson's, on the Clover Bottom where the pike 
passes, and Fort Union, at the bend of the river above the Bluffs, where 
since has stood the town of Haysborough. " The fort at Nashborough 
stood upon the bluff between the southeast corner of the public square 
• and Spring Street. Like the other forts it was a two-story log building 
with port holes and lookout station. Other log houses were near it and 
palisades were thrown entirely around the whole, the upper ends of the 
palisades or pickets being sharpened. There was one large entrance to 
the enclosure. The view toward the west and southwest was obstructed 
l)y a thick forest of cedars and a dense undergrowth of privet bushes. 
The rich bottom lands were covered with cane measurinof from ten to 
twenty feet in height. The ancient forest trees upon the rich lands in 
this region were of a most majestic growth ; all the elements of nature 
seem to have combined to make them what they were, and yet, although 
many of the loveliest sites for country residences have been hastily and 
unwisely stripped of their chief ornament and charm, and civilized man 
has speedily destroyed, by thousands in a year, such monarchs of the 
forest as a thousand years may not again produce, there remain here 
and there some lovely spots and glorious oaks not wholly dishonored or 
abased by the woodman's ax. There are a few, and but a few, of such 
native woods and magnificent trees remaining in the vicinity of the capi- 
tal of Tennessee. "* 

As has been stated above the winter of 1779-80 was unusually 
severe, the Cumberland River being frozen over sufficiently solid to per- 
mit Robertson's party to cross upon the ice. The inclemepcy of the 
weather was such as to cause great inconvenience and suffering to the 
early settlers. It was impossible to keep warm in their cabins, necessar- 
ily loosely constructed, and the game upon which they depended in part 
for food was in an impoverished condition and poor. But while these 
evils resulted from this cause, there were also benefits enjoyed uncon- 
sciously to the settlers themselves. The Indians were themselves in as 
unsatisfactory condition, and as unprepared to make an attlick upon the 

♦Putnam. 



138 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

cabins as the people in the cabins were to successfully defend them- 
selves against an attack; and during this interim of security from inva- 
sion by the savage tribes, which lasted until some time in May, 1780, the 
forts and other defenses were erected and strengthened, and numerous 
acquisitions were made to the numbers of the whites. Immigration had 
set in with a new impetus, the roads and traces to Kentucky and the 
Cumberland country being crowded with adventurers seeking independ- 
ence and fortune in the new Eldorado of the West, which was in verity 
beautiful, fertile and grand; and it is not at all surprising that its native 
proprietors should at length muster all their strength, their wildest ener- 
gies and fiercest passions, to dispossess the invaders and to repossess 
themselves of their own fair, delightful paradise. However, the attempt 
to accomplish this design soon convinced them that it could not be done 
by force of arms, the settlers being too strong, too resolute, and too well- 
defended ; the only recourse therefore had was, if possible, to deprive the 
whites of food by driving away and dispersing the deer, buffalo and 
other wild game, which was commenced in the spring of 1780, and con- 
tinued with such success for two or three years as to necessitate adven- 
tures by the stationers to far-off distances, and thus expose themselves to 
the dangers of ambush and attack by the lurking savage. This state of 
things rendered life at the Bluff and in the vicinity, anything but pleas- 
ant. Numbers wished they had never come, or that they had gone to 
other settlements where, being ignorant of the actual facts connected 
therewith, they imagined a greater degree of security and plenty reigned. 
But here, as in every community, there were a goodly number of brave- 
hearted men and women, who, having suffered in getting to their homes, 
put their trust in Providence and resolved to stay. 

One of the causes which led to the rapid settlement of Tennessee, 
was the passage, by the General Assembly of North Carolina, of an " act 
for the relief of the officers and soldiers in the Continental line, and for 
other purposes," which was as follows:* 

Whereas, The officers and soldiers of the Continental line of this State have suffered 
much by the depreciation of paper currency, as well as by the deficiency of clothing and 
other supplies that have been due them according to sundry acts and resolves of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, and whereas, the honorable, the Continental Congress, have resolved that 
the deficiency shall be made good to the 18th day of August, 1780, according to a scale of 

depreciation established. And 

***** ***** ****** 

Whereas, It is proper that some effectual and permanent reward should be rendered 
for the signal bravery and persevering zeal of the Continental officers and soldiers in the 
service of the State. Therefore 

Be it enacted, etc.. That each Continental soldier of the line of this State who is now 
in service, and continues to tlie end of the war, or such of them as from wounds or bodily 
♦Laws of 1782. Chapter III. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. .139 

infirmity have been or shall be rendered unfit for service, which shall be ascertained by a 
certificate from the commanding officer, shall have six hundred and forty acres of land; 
every officer who is now in service, and shall continue in service until the end of the war, 
as well as those officers who from wounds or bodily infirmity have left or may be obliged 
to leave the service, shall have a greater quantity according to his pay as followeth: Each 
non-commissioned officer, one thousand acres; each subaltern, two-thousand five hundred 
and sixty acres; each captain, three thousand eight hundred and forty acres; each major, four 
thousand eight hundred acres; each lieutenant-colonel, five thousand seven hundred and 
sixtj^ acres; each lieutenant-colonel commandant, seven thousand two hundred acres; each 
colonel, seven thousand two hundred acres; each brigadier-general, twelve thousand 
acres; each chaplain, six thousand two hundred acres; each surgeon, four thousand eight 
hundred acres; each surgeon's mate, two thousand five hundred and sixty acres; and where 
any officer or soldier has fallen or shall fall in the defense of his country, his heirs or assigns 
shall have the same quantity of land that the officer or soldier would have been entitled to 
had they served during the war. 

According to tlie next section of this act any family that had settled 
on the tract of land set apart to be divided np among the officers and 
soldiers should be entitled to 640 acres, provided that no such grant 
should include any salt lick or salt spring which were reserved with 640 
acres in connection with each lick or spring for public purposes. 

By the eighth section Absalom Tatom, Isaac Shelby and Anthony 
Bledsoe were appointed commissioners to lay off the land and they were 
to be accompanied by a giiard of not more than 100 men. 

By the tenth section Gen. Nathaniel Greene was allowed 25,000 
acres of land, which by an act passed in 1784 was described as follows: 
"Beginning on the south bank of Duck River, on a sycamore, cherry tree 
and ash, at the mouth of a small branch, running thence along a line of 
marked trees south seven miles and forty-eight poles, to a Spanish oak, 
a hickory and a sugar sapling; thence east six miles and ninety poles, to 
a Spanish oak and hackberry tree ; thence north three miles and 300 poles, 
to a sugar-tree sapling, and two white oak saplings into a clift of Duck 
River, where it comes from the northeast; thence down Duck River ac- 
cording to its meanderings to the beginning." 

The Revolutionary war came to an end in November, 1782. Capt. 
Robertson anticipated this event and from it inferred an abatement of 
Indian hostilities. It was soon followed by the arrival from North Caro- 
lina of quite a number of persons, who gave additional strength and en- 
couragement to the settlements. Early in 1783 the commissioners 
named above in the eighth section of the act for the relief of the officers 
and soldiers in the Continental line arrived from North Carolina accom- 
panied by a guard to lay off the lands promised as bounties to the officers 
and soldiers of said Continental line. These commissioners also came to 
examine into the claims of those persons who considered themselves en- 
titled to pre-emption rights granted to settlers on the Cumberland pre- 
vious to 1780, and also to lay off the lands given to Gen. Greene. The 



140 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

-settlers, animated with new hope by the presence of all these additions to 
their numbers and strength, entirely abandoned the designs they had 
long entertained of leaving the country. 

The commissioners and guards, with some of the inhabitants in com- 
pany, went to the place since called Latitude Hill, on Elk River, to 
ascertain the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude, and there made obser- 
vations. They then went north to Duck River to the second creek be- 
low Columbia and laid off Greene's 25,000 acres, and then fifty-five 
miles from the southern boundary of the State, and parallel thereto ran 
a line which received the name of the "Continental line," because it was 
the boundary of the territory allotted to the officers and soldiers of North 
Carolina in the Continental Army. But upon the representation, and at 
the request of the officers made to the General Assembly at the session 
of 1783, they directed it to be laid off from the northern boundary fifty- 
five miles to the south: Beginning on the Virginia line where the Cum- 
berland River intersects the same ; thence south fifty-five miles ; thence 
west to the Tennessee River ; thence down the Tennessee River to Vir- 
ginia line; thence with the said Virginia line east to the beginning.* 
This line was run by Gen. Rutherford, in 1784, and named the "Com- 
missioner's line." The Continental line passed the Harpeth River about 
five miles above the town of Franklin. The Commissioner's line in- 
cluded the land in the Great Bend of Tennessee — all lands on the east 
side of the Tennessee to the present Kentucky line. The method of 
running it "\yas as follows:. Commencing at the Kentucky line the com- 
missioners ran south fifty -five miles to Mount Pisgah, then forming them- 
selves into two parties, one party ran westward to the Tennesssee and the 
other eastward to the Caney Fork. 

Never were more generous bounties given to more deserving patriots. 
The war-Avorn veteran might here secure a competency, or perhaps even 
wealth or affluence to himself and children after the storm of battle had 
subsided, in the enjoyment of which he might pass the evening of life, 
serenely contemplating the great benefits derived and to be derived from 
the sacrifices himself and his compatriots had made in the establishment 
of the independence of the American nation. A vast emigration from 
North Carolina was the direct result of her generous action, insomuch 
that it was at one time estimated that nine-tenths of the population of 
Tennessee were from the mother State. And in addition to the bounties 
offered to the officers and soldiers of the Continental line, other bounties 
were offered to the guards of the commissioners who were appointed to 
lay off the reservation for the said officers and soldiers. These bounties 

♦Haywood. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



141 



were named "Guard Rights," and induced numerous individuals to be- 
come members of the guard, and numerous grants were located and set- 
tled upon by such individuals. After running the line as authorized by 
the General Assembly of North Carolina, the commissioners sat at the 
Bluff to examine into pre-emption claims and issued certificates to such 
as were entitled thereto. The commission then dissolved and Isaac 
Shelby removed to Kentucky, thus ceasing to be a citizen of Tennessee. 
Of Kentucky he became the first governor, and died suddenly July 18, 
1826, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. 

The commissioners having come and gone affairs again assumed their 
usual aspect at the Bluff. The people were employed in their ordinary 
labors, doing what could be done to improve their condition. Additions 
to their numbers continued to be made from North Carolina, and they 
were gratified to learn that even much larger numbers were added to the 
settlements in Kentucky. Goods began to be brought in by boats from 
the Ohio and its tributaries, but according to Putnam the first store at 
the Falls of the Ohio was supplied from Philadelphia, and the supplies 
carried on pack-horses. The second store was kept at Lexington by Col. 
(afterward Gen.) James Wilkinson, from which small supplies werepiir- 
chased for the settlers on the Cumberland. Several years after this a 
small store was opened at the Bluff. Lardner Clark was the first mer- 
chant and ordinary-keeper, dealing in dry goods, thimbles and pins for 
ladies; dinners and liquors for men, and provender for horses. As one 
of the improvements made in that early day in the way of labor-saving 
machinery, it may not be inappropriate to introduce here a description of 
a hominy-mill invented and constructed by a Mr. Cartwright. It con- 
sisted mainly of a wheel, upon the rim of which he fastened a number of 
x.'ows' horns, in such position that as each horn was filled with water its 
weight would cause it to descend and thus set the wheel in revolution. 
To the axle of this wheel was attached a crank, and to the crank the 
apparatus for cracking the corn. Thus many a little blow was made by 
the little pestle upon the quart of corn in the mortar. This mill was 
owned by Heyden and James Wells. 

As to the general condition of affairs on the Cumberland the follow- 
ing description from Bamsey is probably as graphic and correct as can be 
composed: "As on the Watauga at its first settlement, so now here the 
colonists of Robertson were without any regularly organized government. 
The country was within the boundaries of Washington County, which 
extended t J the Mississippi, perhaps the largest extent of territory ever 
embraced in a single county. But even here in the wilds of the Cum- 
berland, removed more than 600 miles from their seat of government, the 



142 HISTOIIY OF TENNESSEE. 

people demonstrated again their adequacy to self-government. Soon 
after their arrival at the BlufP, the settlers appointed trustees, and signed 
a covenant obliging themselves to conform to the judgments and decisions 
of their officers, in whom they had invested the powers of government.* 
Those who signed the covenant had considerable advantages over those 
who did not; they were respectively allowed a tract of land, the quiet 
possession of which was guaranteed by the colony. Those who did not 
sign the covenant were considered as having no right to their lands, and 
could be dispossessed by a signer without any recourse. To the trustees 
were allowed in these days of primitive honesty and old-fashioned public 
spirit neither salaries nor fees. But to the clerk appointed by the trus- 
tees were given small perquisites as compensation for the expense of 
paper and stationery. The trustees Avere the executive of the colony, 
and had the Avhole government in their own hands ; acting as the judi- 
ciary their decisions gave general satisfaction. To them Avere also com- 
mitted the functions of the sacerdotal office in the celebration of the rites 
of matrimony. The founder of the colony, Capt. James Robertson, as 
might have been expected, was one of the trustees and was the first who 
married a couple. These were Capt, Leiper and his wife. Mr. James 
Shaw was also a trustee, and married Edward Swanson to Mrs. Carvin, 
James Freeland to Mrs. Maxwell, Cornelius Riddle to Miss Jane Mul- 
herrin and John Tucker to Jenny Herrod, all in one day. The first child 
born in the country was John Saunders, since the sherifp of Montgomery 
County, and afterward killed on White River, Indiana, by the Indians. 
The second was Anna Wells. * * * * * 

"Under the patriarchal form of government, by trustees selected on 
account of their experience, probity and firmness, the colony was planted, 
defended, gOA'erned and provided for several years, and the administration 
of justice and the protection of rights, though simple and a little irrt)g- 
ular, it is believed was as perfect and satisfactory as at any subsequent 
period in its history." 

Approach to the Cumberland settlements previous to 1785 was gen- 
erally through the wilderness of Kentucky, but at the November session 
of the General Assembly of North Carolina for this year, it enacted a law 
providing for a force of 300 men to protect these settlements, and it was 
made the duty of these soldiers or guards, to cut and clear a road from 
the lower end of Clinch Mountain to Nashville by the most eligible 
route. This road was to be at least ten feet wide and fit for the passage 
of wagons and carts. For the half of his first year's pay each private 
was allowed 400 acres of land, and for further services in the same pro- 

* See chapter on Organization. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 143 

portion. The officers were to be paid in a similar manner. The road 
was opened during the year, after which the route was more direct, and 
immense numbers of the more wealthy people of the Atlatitic sections 
sought the Cumberland overi it. But as the guards were overburdened in 
protecting the settlements from Indian incursions and attacks; the road 
cut by them was not sufficient for the purpose of the vast immigration 
now pouring into the country. A wider and more level road was de- 
manded, hence the road. already cut was Avidened and another road was 
cut leading into it from Bledsoe's Lick. The field officers of the coun- 
ties were authorized and directed, Avhen informed that a number of fam- 
ilies were at Cumberland Mountain w;aiting for an escort to conduct them' 
to the Cumberland settlements, to raise militia guards, to consist of not more 
than fifty men to act as such escort. The expenses of these guards were to be 
defrayed by a poll tax which the county courts were authorized to levy. 
By the improvement in the roads and the protection provided for emi- 
grants, great accessions were constantly made to tlie Cumberland settle- 
ments for the next succeeding years. Large numbers of families would 
concentrate on the banks of the Clinch, and attended by the guard would 
pass through the wilderness with little apprehension of trouble from the 
Indians on the way, and the settlements thus constantly strengthened 
soon secured a foretaste of that final triumph over discouragements and 
disasters by which they had so long been enfeebled and depressed. They 
became better prepared to repel savage aggressions, and at length able 
themselves to carry on an offensive warfare against the Indians. In fact 
the population of Davidson County increased so rapidly that for the con- 
venience of the inhabitants living remote from Nashville, the seat of 
justice, it became necessary to divide the county and form a new one 
named Tennessee. 

The records of Davidson County for the October term of 1787 con- 
tain a resolution that for the better furnishing of the troops now coming 
into the country under Maj. Evans with provisions, etc., one-fourth of 
the tax of the county should be paid in (iorn, two-fourths in beef, pork, 
bear meat and venison, one-eighth in salt, and one-eighth in money to 
defray the expense of moving the provisions from the place of collection 
to the troops. It was also provided that the price of corn should be 4: 
shillings per bushel, beef $5 per hundred weight, pork $S, good bear meat 
(without bones) 38, venison lOshillings per hundred weight, and salt ^IGper 
bushel. With reference to the currency the court, at its next April term, 
appointed Robert Hays, Anthony Hart and John Hunter a committee of 
inspection, with authority to destroy such of the bills as they believed to 
be counterfeit. This action was taken subsequent to the refusal of Jesse 



14-4 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Oain to receive the cnrrency of the State, for which he was indicted by 
the grand jury April 7, 1787, but not punished. It will be noticed that 
the currency of the Cumberland was something to eat, while that of 
Franklin was something to wear. 

• In the State Gazette of North Carolina, under date of November 28, 
1788, Col. Eobertson published the following notice: "The new road 
from Campbell's Station to Nashville was opened on the 25tli of Septem- 
ber, and the guard attended at that time to esc(^rt such persons as were 
ready to proceed to Nashville ; that about sixty families had gone on, 
among whom were the widow and family of the late Gen. Davidson, and 
John McNairy, judge of the Superior Court; and that on the 1st day of 
October next, the guard would attend at the same place for the same 
purpose." 

Not long after this the General Assembly of North Carolina estab- 
lished a provision store on the frontier of Hawkins County at the house 
of John Adair, for the reception of beef, pork, flour and corn for the use 
of the Cumberland Guard when called on to conduct these emigrant 
parties through the wilderness, and John Adair was appointed a commis- 
sioner for the purchase of these provisions. In payment for them he was 
authorized to issue certificates receivable by the sheriff in the District of 
Washington in part payment of the public taxes in the counties of that 
district, from whom they Avere to be received by the treasurer of the 
State. It was also provided that when any person, wounded in the for- 
mation and defense of the Cumberland settlements, was unable to pay the 
expense of his treatment, the county courts should pass the accounts, and 
that accounts so passed should be received in payment of public taxes. 
The courts were also authorized to sell the several salt licks, heretofore 
reserved, at which salt could be manufactured, and to declare the others 
vacant and subject to entry as other public lands. Two of the licks of 
the first description were to be retained for the use of Davidson Academy. 
The year 1788 was distinguished by the deplorable adventure of Col. 
James Brown, a Revolutionary officer in the North Carolina line. He 
was immigrating to the Cumberland to take possession of the lands al- 
lotted to him for his military services during the Revolution. His family 
consisted of himself, wife, five sons, four daughters and several negroes. 
Two of his sons were young men. Besides his immediate family. Col. 
Brown's party consisted of J. Bays, John Flood, John and William Gen- 
try, and John Griffin. Being unwilling to expose his family to the dan- 
gers of an overland journey to the Cumberland, Col. Brown determined 
to go by water, following the famous example of Col. John Donelson, of 
eight years before. His boat Avas built on Holston, a short distance be- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 145 

low Long Island. It was fortified by placing two-incli oak plank all 
around above the gunwales. These were pierced with port-holes at proper 
distances, and a swivel-gun was placed in the stern o£ the boat. By tak- 
ing these precautions he hoped to make the journey for his party safe, 
easy and pleasant. They embarked on the Jrth of May, and on the 9th the 
party passed the Chickamauga towns about daybreak, and the Tuske- 
gee Island town a little after sunrise. At this place the head man, Cut- 
tey Otoy, and three otliej.- warriors, came on board and were kindly treated. 
Returning to the shore, they sent runners to Running Water Town and 
Nickajack to raise all the warriors they could to ascend the river and 
meet the boat. Not long after they had left the boat. Col. Brown's party 
saw a number of canoes ascending the river, evidently prepared to do 
mischief, if that were their intention. One of their number, John Vann, 
was a half-breed, and could speak English plainly. By pretending to be 
friendly, the Indians in the canoes came alongside Col. Brown's boat, 
boarded it, forced it to the shore, killed Col. Brown, and took all of the 
others prisoners. All of the men of the party were killed. Mrs. Brown 
and ofte daughter were retained prisoners for seventeen months; two of 
the daughters and one son were released about eleven months after their 
capture, and one little son was kept five years among the Creeks, at the 
end of which time he had forgotten the few English words he had learned 
at the time of his capture. The son of Col. Brown, released at the end of 
eleven months, was subsequently Col. Joseph Brown, of Maury County, 
Tenn. After his release, himself and other members of the family made 
a successful overland journey to the Cumberland, and settled about three 
miles below Nashville. Mrs. Brown was released through the aid of 
Col. McGilvery, the head man of the Creek nation, as was also one of 
her daughters. Few families suffered more from Indian atrocities than 
the Browns; Col. Brown, two sons, and three sons-in-law, were killed, 
another was shot in the right hand and cut about the wrist; another son, 
Joseph, and two daughters, were prisoners nearly a year; Mrs. Brown 
and another daughter were prisoners seventeen months, the former being 
driven on foot by the Creeks 200 miles, her feet blistered and suppu- 
rating, not being allowed time to take the gravel from her shoes ; and a 
younger son was a prisoner five years. Gen. Sevier was at this time act- 
ively engaged in suppressing Indian hostilities, and it is to him credit is 
due for the exchange of prisoners effected. A full account of his opera- 
tions will be found in the chapter on Indian history. 

Not long after the fall of the Franklin government in the spring of 
1788, it became evident that North Carolina, although opposed to the 
existence of that anomaly, was at the same time exceedingly economical 



146 - HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

in the adoptiou of measures and in providing means for the welfare and 
protection of her western counties. This disposition on the part of the 
parent State soon revived the discontents and complaints of the western 
people, especially of those who had been in the Franklin revolt, and it 
so(in became the general opinion on both sides of the Alleghany Moun- 
tains that a separation was not only the best policy for each but was also 
for the interest of both. The General Assembly acting upon this princi- 
2jle passed an act for the purpose of ceding to the United States certain 
western lands therein described, and in conformity with one of the pro- 
visions of this act, North Carolina's United States Senators, Samuel 
Johnston and Benjamin Hawkins, on the 25th of February, 1790, exe- 
cuted a deed of the territory ceded to the United States. On the 2d of 
the following April, the United States Congress accepted the deed and 
what is now Tennessee ceased to be a part of North Carolina. 

One of the few last legislative enactments of North Carolina respect- 
ing her western territory was one establishing Rogersville in Hawkins 
County, in 1789. This was the last town established by North Carolina 
in Tennessee. 

Having thus traced some of the principal events in settlements of the 
territory now comprising the State of Tennessee, it is proper to pause 
and consider the condition of things at the time the final cession was 
made to, and accepted by, the Congress of the United States. The settle- 
ments were comprised in two bodies or communities. That, in East Ten- 
nessee extended from the Virginia line on the east, southwest to the wa- 
ters of Little Tennessee, in the shape of a peninsula. Its length was 
about 150 miles, and its' width from twenty-five to fifty. This narrow 
strip of inhabited country was bounded on the south by a constant suc- 
cession of mountains claimed and in pR.vt occupied by the Indians, on the 
west by territory occupied by them, and on the north and northwest by 
the Clinch and Cumberland Mountains. And the settlements within 
these limits were confined mainly to the valleys of the Holston, Nolli- 
chucky and the French Broad and Little Rivers below the mountains. 
All the rest of East Tennessee vv^as occupied by Cherokee villages or their 
hunting grounds. In this portion of the State, comprising what was then 
"Washington District, there were about 30,000 inhabitants. 

The other community was settled along the Cumberland Biver, and 
was almost entirely insulated from the community in East Tennessee. 
They were included in Mero District, and numbered about 7,000 inhabi- 
tants. The counties were Davidson, Tennessee and Sumner. Between 
these two sections thus distant from each other there was no direct and 
easy communication. By water the great obstacles were the raj^ids and 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE, , 147 

Muscle Shoals of the Tennessee River, and the ascent of the Ohio and 
Cumberland, and between the two a mountain chain and a wilderness 
intervened which could not well be traversed without a military guard. 

West of the Tennessee Eiver lay the territory claimed but unoccupied 
by the Chickasaws. Much of it was covered by grants from North Caro- 
lina but as yet none of it had been settled by white people. It furnished 
a thoroughfare through which intercommunication was continued for a 
considerable period between northern and southern tribes of Indians, and 
foreign emissaries who sought to involve the settlements in difficulties 
with the tribes. Spaniards were also residing in the towns of the Creeks 
and Choctaws, who themselves had no valid claim to the lands. Such 
was the state of affairs when the cession was made, and when the terri- 
tory of the United States south of the Ohio Eiver was organized, and 
when that accomplished gentleman, William Blount, of North Carolina, 
was appointed its governor by the President of the United States, 
George Washington. 

An important transaction took place about thi&time with which sev- 
eral prominent citizens of Tennessee were connected either directly or 
indirectly. It was between the Legislature of the State of Georgia and 
the Tennessee Land Company. It would probably be very difficult to 
ascertain the names of all the members of this company, even if it were 
desirable so to do. The leading spirit, however, in the enterprise, was 
Zacbariah Cox. Others who were either members of the company or in- 
terested in its operations were Matthias Maher, William Cox, James 
Hubbard, Peter Bryant, John Ruddle, Thomas Gilbert, John Strother, a 
Mr. Williams and a Mr. Gardiner, Gen. Sevier and Col. Donelson. 
The territory of Georgia then like that of North Carolina, extended 
westward to the Mississippi River, and the Legislature of that State con- 
sidering itself authorized by the constitution so to do, and thinking it 
would be to the interest of their State, sold large quantities of land in its 
western territory to different companies, among these being the Tennes- 
see Land Company. The tract of land thus purchased by this company 
lay upon the Great Bend of the Tennessee River and was bounded as 
follows: "Beginning at the mouth of Bear Creek, on the south bank of 
the Tennessee River ; thence up the said creek to the most southern source 
thereof; thence due south to latitude thirty-four degrees and ten minutes; 
thence a due east course 120 miles; thence a due north course to the 
great Tennessee River ; thence up the middle of said river to the north- 
ern boundary line of this State; thence a due west course along the said 
line to where it intersects the great Tennessee River below the Muscle 
Shoals; thence up the said river to the place of beginning." Within 



14:8 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

these limits were contained 3,500,000 acres of land, and the stipulated 
price was |46,875, The act of the Legislature making this grant was 
passed December 21, 1789; $12,000 was to be paid down, and 212,000 
acres were to be reserved to the citizens of Georgia. Of this land Gen. 
Sevier had "ten or twenty thousand acres at the mouth of Blue Water 
Creek, which empties into the Tennessee near the head of Muscle Shoals, 
the right to which he afterward relinquished to the United States for 
the privilege of entering 5,000 acres of other unappropriated public 
lands."* 

In view of the course taken by the United States toward those who 
attempted to settle upon this purchase, this statement is somewhat con- 
fusing. Zacliariah Cox and Thomas Carr, as agents of the company, soon 
took measures to ejffect this settlement. From their territory they issued 
a notice September 2, 1790, that they would embark a large armed force 
at the mouth of French Broad. But little attention was paid to them by 
Gov. Blount, as it was supposed they were unable to start the expedition. 
But about January 10, 1791, Cox and about twenty-five or thirty others 
arrived at the place of embarkation, and began to make preparations in 
earnest to go down the river. The President of the United States, hear- 
ing of the purchase and intended occupation of these lands, issued a 
proclamation forbidding the settlement, and declaring those who made 
such settlement would be entirely outside the protection of the United 
States. Upon the receipt of a letter from the Secretary of War, dated 
January 13, 1791, Gov. Blount dispatched Maj. White, of Hawkins 
County, to make known to the company the tenor of the proclamation, 
and to inform them that if they went to the Muscle Shoals the Indians 
would be immediately notified of it and be at liberty to act toward them 
as they might think proper, without offense to the United States ; and to 
inform them also that if the Indians would permit them to settle, the 
United States would not. 

This communication for a time intimidated the company, but upon 
considering that in February a force of about 300 men from Kentucky in- 
tended to make a settlement near the Yazoo, upon land bought by the Vir- 
ginia Yazoo Company, at the same time the Tennessee Company purchased 
their land, they determined to disregard the Federal prohibition and pro- 
ceed with their enterprise. Zacliariah Cox, Col. Hubbard, Peter Bryant 
and about fifteen others embarked at the mouth of the Dumplin in a small 
boat and two canoes for the purpose of taking possession of the Tennes- 
see grant. With such a small party the enterprise of sailing down the 
river was hazardous in the extreme. Eemembering the sad fate of Col. 

* Putnam. ' 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 149 

Brown three years before, they proceeded down the river with the utmost 
caution. "• Below the Suck a small party of Indians came out in their 
canoes and hailed them. The ^ame number of white men were sent out 
to meet them, advancing firmly with their rifles in their hands, but with 
orders not to fire till the last extremity. Their canoe floated down toward 
the Indians, who, observing their preparation for attack, withdrew and 
disappeared. A little further down night overtook the voyagers, and, 
when, from the dangers of navigation at night, it Avas proposed to steer to 
the shore, they saw upon the bank a row of fires, extending along the 
bottoms as far as they could see, and standing around them armed Indian 
warriors. They silenced their oars by pouring water upon the oar-pins, 
spoke not a word, but glided by as quietly as possible. * * * Sev- 
eral times next day the Indians tried by various artifices to decoy them 
to land. On one occasion three of them insisted, in English, to come and 
trade with them. After they had refused and passed by, 300 warriors 
rose out of ambush. * * * For three days and nights they did not 
land, but doubled on their oars, beating to the south side at night and to 
the middle of the river by day.* 

Arriving at the Muscle Shoals Cox and his party built a block-house 
and other works of defense on an island. The Glass with about sixty 
Indians shortly afterward appeared, and informed the intruders that if 
they did not peacefully withdraw he would put them to death. Upon 
considering their defenseless condition as against a much superior force, 
they abandoned their works, which the Indians immediately rediiced to 
ashes. Returning to Knoxville Cox and his associates were arrested 
upon a warrant by Judge Campbell to answer for their offense, but the 
indictments, two of which were sent to the grand jury, were not sustained 
as true bills. Thus Cox and his twenty young men from Georgia seemed 
to triumph over the Government, and Avere thereby encouraged to perse- 
vere in their attempt to settle at the Muscle Shoals. They soon found 
purchasers for many thousands of acres of land and made public declar- 
ation of their intention to make another attempt at settlement, and that 
they would do so with a great force drawn from Maryland, Virginia, 
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The time fixed upon for 
this grand movement was November, 1791, or as soon thereafter as their 
numbers could be collected. This movement, however, appears to have 
failed, and the failure was probably on account of the company's failure 
to comply with the terms of their purchase of the lands from Georgia. 

For two or three years the matter remained in abeyance, but in 1794: 
the Legislature of Georgia passed another bill for the sale of the lands 

*Ramsey. 



150 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

whicli was vetoed by the Governor in December of that year. In Janu- 
ary, 1795, a bill was passed which received the Governor's signature and 
became a law. Under this law an aggregate of 35,000,000 acres of 
land was sold to four companies, very nearly in proportion to the amounts 
paid by each company. The Georgia Company paid $250,000, the 
Georgia-Mississippi Company paid $155,000, the Upper Mississippi 
Company paid $35,000 and the Tennessee Land Company paid $00,000, 
the latter company receiving the same amount as under the first purchase 
in 1789. In August, 1795, a report was circulated' that Cox and his 
associates Intended making another attempt at the establishment of a 
settlement on the lands purchased from Georgia, and Gov. Blount recom- 
mended a regular military force to prevent them. In January, 1796, 
some individuals arrived from Georgia for the purpose of making a pas- 
sage to the Muscle Shoals with the view of keeping possession there until 
a settlement could be established by the Tennessee Company. They 
gave out, however, that they were going to Natchez, and it was some 
time before the Governor could learn their true designs. On the 18th of 
February, 1796, he wrote a letter to the chiefs of Cherokees, informing 
them that about four weeks before that time a boat with many men had 
left Knoxville, ostensibly for Natchez, but really for the Muscle Shoals 
with the view of settling on the Great Bend of the Tennessee, and gave 
assurance to the chiefs that if such were the fact the United States would 
remove the intruders and that they, the Cherokees, need not be uneasy. 

But the settlement under all of these purchases was effectually pre- 
vented by the action of the State of Georgia with reference to the sale 
of the lands, which is in itself a curious and interesting study. The 
entire populace of that State became intensely excited and most highly 
inflamed against the Legislature for selling the lands, and in 1796 the 
act by which the sale was made was repealed by a new Legislature 
elected for the purpose, by an overwhelming vote, on the ground of 
unconstitutionality and fraud, and the enrolled bill, passed January 7, 
1795, was publicly and solemnly burned February 13, 1796, together 
with such portions of the records as could be destroyed without destroy- 
ing other and valuable portions. And it is matter of tradition that the 
fire was kindled by means of a sun glass, upon the theory that the infamy 
sought to be cast upon the fair fame of the State could only appropriately 
be obliterated by fire brought down from heaven. 

The following table shows the various land grants or appropriations 
by the State of North Carolina, within her western territory, now the 
State of Tennessee: 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 151 

Acres. Acres. 

Granted to claimants in the counties of Washington, 

Sullivan, Greene and Hawkins 879,263 

Granted to claimants in the Eastern, Middle and Wes- 
tern districts 1,371,280 

2,150,543 

Granted to the settlers on the Cumberland pre-emp- 
tion 309,760 

Granted to Maj.-Gen. Nathaniel Greene ' 25,000 

Granted to the officers and soldiers in the Continen 

talline 1,239,498 

Granted to ditto for which warrants had been 
granted, but for which grants had not been 
issued 1,594,726 

3,834,384 

Granted to the surveyor of the militarj' lands for 

his services 30,803 

Granted to the commissioners, surveyors, officers and 
guards, for ascertaining the bounds of the mil- 
itary lands 65,932 

Total number of acres 5,415,661 

The above statement was certified by J. Glasgow, secretary of state 
for North Carolina, July 30, 1791, and by Alexander Martin, governor, 
August 10, of the same year. 

Seftlemenf of West Tennessee. — That portion of Tennessee lying 
west of the Tennessee River was not settled — was not opened for settle- 
ment — until long after Tennessee became a flourishing and wealthy State. 
The lands in this section were owned and occupied by the Chickasaw 
tribe of Indians as far back as there is any authentic record. Their firm 
friendship for the whites, particularly the English, was something rather 
remarkable. They were first met by De Soto in his tour of conquest in 
1540, a little above the southern boundary of the State, by whom he was 
treated with remarkable courtesy until he demanded of them 200 of their 
number to carry his baggage. He had spent the winter at their village, 
Chisca, and received many courtesies from them, but on this demand they 
burned their village and flew to arms. They preferred desolated homes 
and death to anything like slavery. Whether De Soto and his band 
marched within the boundaries of this State is questioned. The next 
white man, possibly the first, was the Jesuit missionary, Marquette, who 
visited the borders of the State in 1673, but his voyage down the river 
was one of exploration and discovery rather than settlement. He found 
the dusky men of the forest armed with the weapons of civilized warfare, 
which they had doubtless obtained from traders along the Atlantic coast. 
In 1736 an attempt was made by Bienville from the south, in concert 



152 ' HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

with D'Artaguette and Vinsenne from the north, to dispossess the Chick- 
asaws of their lands. The attempt was a disastrous failure, the two forces 
not acting simultaneously; the former was compelled to beat a hasty re- 
treat, and the latter two were captured and burned at the stake. In 1739 
the French again attempted to possess themselves of the territory of the 
Chickasaws; this time they made an attack upon the Indians at Chicka- 
saw Bluffs (at Memphis), but were defeated with loss. The attempt 
was renewed at the same place in 1710 by Bienville and De Noailles, who 
ascended the river in boats. They met with little success but managed 
to patch up a hollow treaty. A fort was built by them at Chickasaw* 
Bluff, called Prud'homme, but the date is unknown. Desultory fighting 
was kept up between them for the possession of this territory for ten 
years longer. In nearly all the wars of the United States and while the 
colonies were under control of the English Government, these Indians 
sided with and assisted the English. In consequence of which they 
received very liberal boundaries at the treaty of Hopewell, after the Rev- 
olutionary war. Besides lands the Government courted their friendship 
by large donations of corn and other supplies. 

In 1782 (December 11) Gen. Robertson established Ghickasaw Bluffs 
as a depot to which was sent the supplies given to the Indians. The 
Bluffs thus became a kind of permanent post at which the English and 
Chickasaws met, from time to time, till the treaty of 1818, when the 
entire Western portion of the State was transferred to the United States. 

The Spanish seemed anxious to obtain this territory whether by fair 
means or foul. The Spanish governor of Natchez, Gayoso by name, 
appeared at the Chickasaw Bluffs some time between the last of May and 
the 9th of July, with the intention of building a fort there. He took 
possession of the bluff on the east side of the river within the territorial 
limits of the United States. He came up the river with three galleys 
which anchored on the side opposite the bluffs, until the materials on the 
west side were prepared for the erection of a block-house. When the 
material was ready it was quickly transferred across to the east side, and 
the block-house hastily erected. Complaint was made to Gov. Blount by 
the Chickasaws that their territorial rights had been invaded. Novem- 
ber 9, 1795, Gov. Blount, by direction of the President, sent a letter to 
Gayoso, by Col. McKee, at Fort St. Ferdinando, near the Chickasaw Bluff. 
This letter stated that the United States considered the establishment of 
a Spanish fort at or near Chickasaw Bluff an encroachment not only upon 
the territorial rights of the United States but also upon the rights of the 
Chickasaw nation, and that the Government of the United States expected 

*Haywood. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 153 

liim to demolish the fort, block-house or whatever military works he may 
have erected, and to withdraw his troops from its limits. The Spanish 
officers at this time from Fort St. Ferdinando and New Madrid below and 
to the mouth of the Ohio above allowed no boats to pass without reporting 
their destination and cargo. This was done to prevent supplies being 
sent to the Chickasaws. Col. McKee who had been sent to Gayoso did 
not return till in the spring of 1796, when it was learned that the Gen- 
eral Government had made a treaty with Spain that ended all grounds 
for controversy. 

Various treaties were made with the Chickasaws with a view to obtain 
their territory in the State for settlement. Among these treaties were 
those of 1806-07 by which they relinquished 355,000 acres for settlement 
for $22,000, and a large amount again in 1816, for which they received 
$4,500 cash and $12,000 in ten annual installments. The final treaty by 
which they relinquished all West Tennessee was signed October 19, 
IS 18, by Isaac Shelby and Andrew Jackson on the part of President 
James Monroe, and by the chiefs on the part of the Chicasaws. The 
substance of this treaty is here given. It was to settle all territorial 
controversies and remove all grounds of complaint or dissatisfaction 
which might arise to interrupt the peace and harmony so long and so 
happily existing between the United States and the Chickasaw nation of 
Indians. It ceded all lands lying north of the southern boundary of the 
State (except a small tract reserved for a special purpose) described as 
follows: "•Beginning on the Tennessee River about thirty-five miles by 
water below Col. George Colbert's ferry, where the thirty-fifth degree of 
north latitude strikes the same; thence due west with said parallel to 
where it cuts the Mississippi River at or near the Chicasaw Bluffs; 
thence up said river to the mouth of the Ohio; thence up the Ohio to 
the mouth of the Tennessee; thence up the Tennessee to the place of 
beijinninof."* 

The consideration of this treaty was that the Chickasaws were to 
receive $20,000 annually for fifteen years to be paid to the chiefs of the 
nation; also a private claim of Capt. John Gordon, $1,115 due him by 
Gen. William Colbert of. the nation; to Capt. David Smith $2,000, for 
supplies furnished to himself and forty-five soldiers in assisting the 
Chickasaws in a war with the Creeks; to Oppassantubbee, principal 
chief, $500 for a tract of land two miles square, reserved for him in the 
treaty of September 20, 1816; to John Lewis $25, for a saddle lost in 
the service; to John Colbert $1,089, stolen from him at a theater in 
Baltimore; also reservations to Col. George Colbert, May Levi Colbert 

*Land Laws. 



154 HISTOIJY OF TENNESSEE. 

and John McClisli, who had married a white woman. It was further 
ordered that the boundary line on the south should be marked in bold 
characters by commissioners agreeable to both the President and the 
Chickasaws. It was further agreed, in consideration of the faithfulness 
of the Chickasaws, but particularly as a " manifestation of the friendship 
and liberality of the President " of the United States, that the commis- 
sioners pay certain sums annually to the leading chiefs of the tribe. 

To the time of the above treaty little effort at settlement had been 
made in West Tennessee. The friendly feeling so long existing between 
the whites and the Chickasaws, and the determination of the Government 
to maintain that friendship by preventing any encroachment upon their 
territory, prevented a long series of murders and Indian massacres so 
common to the settlement of a new country. From this time the settle- 
ment became rapid and soon grew to vast proportions, owing to the invit- 
ing lands and large population in sections so near. Before any settle- 
ments had been made there were roads or traces leading through the 
territory on which occasionally there was a squatter. One of these roads 
or traces, known as the "Massac trace," entered West Tennessee nearly 
south of Somerville and passed a little west of north through Haywood 
County and in the same direction to Fort Massac, in Illinois. Another 
was a United States road that entered West Tennessee west from 
Waverly, and passed througli the territory in a southwesterly direction. 
Along the southern boundary of the State was another road or pathway. 
On the upper courses of the main stream of the Big Hatchie were two or 
three rough bridges. These roads were opened about the beginning of 
the present century. Among the squatters who lived on these roads was 
John Chambers who dwelt on the road leading south to Natchez. He 
raised cattle and corn; the latter he sold at a very high price. The first 
settlers in the northwest part of the State were Stephen Mitchell, eight 
miles below New Madrid, at Mitchell's Landing on the Mississippi ; Enoch 
Walker, at Walker's Landing, on Reelf oot Lake ; Evan Shelby, at Shelby's 
Landing, also on Reelfoot Lake, and the Bone family, three miles below 
Shelby's. All these were between 1818 and 1820 and were in Lake 
County. 

Others in the same county and about the same time were Robert and 
Jefferson Nolen, John and E,. J. Elvers, Beuben and Richard Anderson, 
Michael Peacock, William Box, Henry Walker, Joe Bone, Robert C. 
Nail, Ezekiel Williams, Thomas Wynn, Robert Thompson, Richard J. 
Hill, James Crockett, John Campbell, E. W. Nevill, Jesse Gray, Richard 
Sand, J. W. Bradford, C. H. Bird and B. B. Bird. The first settlers en- 
tered Obion County about 1821 ; among them were John Cloy, Valentine 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 155 

Westerbrook, Thornton Edwards, James Hollowmau, Benjamin Totten, 
Benjamin and David Hubbard, James Collins, John Tarr, James Bedford, 
John Clark, O. Koberts, Fletcher Edwards, John White, Benjamin Far- 
ris, William Scott, Col. Lysander Adams, Gen. George Gibbs, Hardin 
Talley, Robert Corwin, John Parkey, William Caldwell, Alfred McDan- 
iel and Benjamin Evans. The celebrated Davy Crockett assisted in lay- 
ing off the town of Troy in 1825, and later, when on a tour, canvassing 
for Congress, he was without money, and Col. William M. Wilson came 
to his relief and paid his hotel bill. A nice family Bible was sent to Col. 
Wilson from Washington by Crockett, as a reward for his kindness. It 
is needless to say that this is kept as a highly prized heirloom by the 
Wilson family. The first white child born in the county was Thomas D. 
Wilson, son of Col. William M. Wilson. The first settlement in Weak- 
ley County was made in 1819. Those settling in the vicinity of Dresden 
were John Terrill, Perry Vincent, Dr. Jubilee Rogers, Benjamin Bondu- 
rant, Richard Porter, T. and A. Gardner and Robert Powell. A few 
years later than these were Vincent Rust, Claiborne Stone, Thomas Par- 
ham and John H. Reams. Vincent Rust raised the first hogshead of 
tobacco in Weakley County in 1835. This was hauled by Dr. Reams to 
Hickman, Ky., and sold at 5 cents per pound. Those settling northeast 
of Dresden were Levi Mizell, Joe Wilson, John Webb, and those a little 
later were the families of Ridgeway, Buckley, Killebrew and Kilgore. 
Those on the northeast between the middle fork of Obion and the Ken- 
tucky line were John F. Cavitt, who settled there March 20, 1820, also 
John Stevenson, Isaac and William Killingham, who had preceded Stev- 
enson a short time and had erected a hut; John Rogers moved into' the 
cabin with Cavitt above mentioned until he could erect a cabin for him- 
self. These were soon followed by J. B. Davis, Peter Williams, Marcus 
Austin, L. F. Abernathy and Benjamin Farmer. The latter was elected 
constable and was given an execution levying on a cow and calf, to serve 
on a settler. In his simplicity he ran down the cow and rubbed the 
execution against her, but was unable to catch the calf; he shook the in- 
strument at it and exclaimed: "you too, calfy." Alexander Paschall was 
one of the first settlers in the northeast part of the county; he came there 
in 1824- from Carroll County, N. C. As evidence of the sparsely settled 
country, Paschall, in building his house, invited all persons living within 
a circuit of twelve miles, and got only thirty-one hands. Other settlers 
about the same time were Daniel Laswell, Sr.. John and George Harlin 
and Peter Mooney. 

It is said the first preaching in that vicinity was by a colored minis- 
ter. Everybody was anxious to go to church, but few of the women had 



156 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

a change of dresses. Mrs. Paschall having seven, loaned six to her less 
fortunate sisters and thus enabled them to attend the first preaching in 
that vicinity. On Mud Creek were settled Reuben Edmunson, Dudley- 
Glass, Sr., Levi Clark and Israel »Tones. Between Mud Creek and Mid- 
dle Fork were Owen Parrish, Thomas Etheridge, father of Hon. Emerson 
Etheridge, A. Clemens, J. W. Rogers and John Jenkins. Between 
Middle and South Fork were Duke Cantrell, M. H. G. Williams, William 
Hills, Alfred Bethel, F. A. Kemp and Calloway Hardin. Higher up the 
river were Robert Mosely, E. D. Dickson, James Hornback, John and 
G. BradshaAv and Richard Drewery, Southeast on Upper Spring Creek 
were Thomas Osborne, A. Demming, Isaac Crew, Robert Gilbert, Jona- 
than Gilbert, James and Alfred Smith, William Hamilton, Francis Lid- 
die, John O'Neal, James Kennedy and Tilghman Johnson. On Thomp- 
son's Creek were John Thomas, Daniel Campbell, Samuel Morgan, Elijah 
Stanley, M. Shaw, William Gay, John H. Moore and Hayden E. Wells. 
On Lower Cypress were Capt. John Rogers, E. P. Latham, the Carneys, 
McLeans, Scultzs and Stewarts. On Upper Cypress were the Rosses, 
Thompsons, AYinsteads and Beadles. Davy Crockett settled near the 
junction of South and Rutherford Forks of Obion, in Weakley County, and 
was elected to the Legislature the same year on a majority of 247 votes. 
He was beaten for Congress in 1825 and 1827 by Hon. A. R. Alexander 
on a majority of only two votes each time. He was elected in 1829 by 
'3,585 votes. He was beaten by William Fitzgerald in 1831, and he in 
turn beat Fitzgerald in 1833 by a good majority. Crockett was himself 
beaten in 1835 by Adam Huntzman, a wooden-legged lawyer. Crockett 
was in Congress the author of the "occupant's bill," a measure to give 
each settler 200 acres of land. Henry Stunson, who was born in 1821, 
was the first white child born in Weakley County. The first cabin built 
by a white man was erected in 1819 by John Bradshaw. 

The settlement in the northeastern part of the western section of the 
State began in 1819; the first settlers were from Stewart County: they 
were Joel Ragler, John Studdart and James Williams. They came in 
wagons, having made their way through the forest and settled near Man- 
leyville. When they arrived at Big Sandy it was so high tliey could not 
cross. After waiting two weeks they were compelled to make a canoe 
and a raft. When these were completed some of the party hesitated to 
enter. As evidence of the bold spirit of those pioneer women, "Granny" 
Studdart, on seeing the hesitation of the party, said, "I — I'll get in." 
She did so, and soon all were landed safely on the other shore. Other 
settlers near Paris were James Leiper, Gen. Richard Porter, John Brown, 
J. L. Allen and Dr. T. K. Allen. A horse-mill was erected by John 




fROm PHOTO Br THUSS, HOfUEin i GieRS. NASHHtU 



David Crockett 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE 157 

Carter, near Springville, iu 1820, and a water-mill in the northwest part 
of this county in the same year by Thomas James. 

Settlements began in Dyer County in 1823. William Nash settled 
between the forks of Forked Deer River; John Rutledge at Key Corner, 
and the Dugan family on Obion Lake. The first house built in Dyers- 
burg was erected by Elias Dement, and had only a dirt floor. Among 
other settlers in this section were John Rutherford, Benjamin Porter, 
John Bowers, William Bowers and William Martin. Nathaniel Benton, 
another settler, was a brother of Thomas H. Benton, who moved to Dyer 
County about 1818. The section away from the large rivers — the Ten- 
nessee and Mississippi — was not settled quite so early as those along the 
rivers. In what is now Gibson County the first settlement began about 
1819. Those who settled in that year were Thomas Fite, John Spencer 
and J. F. Randolpli. This settlement was made about eight miles east 
of Trenton. Other settlers followed in rapid succession; among them 
were Luke and Reuben Biggs, William Holmes, John B. Hogg, David 
P. Hamilton, Col. Thomas Gibson, John Ford and W. C. Love. That 
part of West Tennessee now embraced in Carroll County was settled by 
Thomas Hamilton on Cedar Creek, near McKenzie ; John Woods on Ruth- 
erford Fork of Obion ; Samuel McKee, Spencer and Nathaniel Edwards 
on the Big Sandy; and E. C. Daugherty where McLemoresville now 
stands ; and John Blunt, who built a mill on a branch of the Big Sandy 
in 1821-22. Settlements in Benton County began in 1819-20, the first 
settler being William and D. Rushing, on Rushing Creek, six miles 
north of Camden; the next was by Nicholas and Lewis Browers in 1820, 
on Randall Creek, twelve miles from Camden; Thomas and William 
Minnis, on Bird Song Creek, in 1820. Lauderdale County was first set- 
tled by Benjamin Porter, in April, 1820. He moved from Reynolds- 
ville by way of the Tennessee, the Ohio ; thence down the Mississippi to 
the mouth of the Forked Deer ; thence up said river to Key Corner, near 
which place he settled and remained till his death. The first flat-boat 
on Forked Deer River brought the family, household goods and stock of 
Henry Benjamin to Lauderdale County in 1820. One of the first cotton 
gins in West Tennessee is said to have been built at Key Corner in 1827, 
by John Jordan and William Chambers. Capt. Shockey ran the first 
steam-boat, the "Grey Eagle," up Forked Deer River in 1836. Capt. 
Thomas Durham, of North Carolina, settled at what is now Durhamville, 
in 1826. A man named Vincent settled at Fulton, near the Chickasaw 
BlufPs, on the Mississippi, in 1819, and John A. Givens, from South 
Carolina, one and one-half miles east of the blufp in 1820. Other set- 
tlers in Lauderdale were Henrv and John Rutherford, sons of Gen. 



158 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Griffith Eutherford, of North Carolina. James Sherman, who resided in 
Lauderdale for a great many years, was once on a jury which was trying 
a man for his life. They were unable to agree, and stood six for con- 
viction and six for clearing the man. The judge refused to release the 
jury without a verdict. It was finally agreed to leave the matter to a 
game of "seven-up." A deck was sent for and the champions were 
chosen. The game was hotly contested, but by the fortunate turn of a 
card the game was decided in favor of the defendant. This story, though 
seemingly incredible, is vouched for on excellent authority, and shows 
the crude idea of administering justice in that day. 

The first settlers in Tipton County were from Middle Tennessee and 
the older States. Among these were H. Terrell, E. T. Pope, E. "VV. San- 
ford, Gen. Jacob Tipton, Maj. Lauderdale, Capt. Scurry, Dr. Hold, 
the Durhams, Mitchells, Davises, Pryors, Hills, Parrishes and Garlands. 
In the "White and Archer neighborhood were C. C. Archer, George Shark- 
ley, William McGuire and the Whites. In and near Eandolph were K. 
H. Douglass, George W. Frazier, Thomas Eobinson, Jesse Benton, M. 
Phillips, E. H. Munford, A. N. McAllister, W. P. Mills, Anderson Hunt, 
the Simpsons and Clements. On Big Creek were Dr. E. H. Eose, Henry 
Turnage, Capt Jones, Capt. Newman, Alfred Hill and Maj. Legrand. The 
vicinity of Indian Creek was settled by the Smiths, Owens, Kellers, 
Kinney s and Walks. " Old Uncle Tommy" Ealp built a horse-mill one 
mile from Covington, this being perhaps the first in the county. 

The portion of West Tennessee known as Crockett County, was set- 
tled about 1823. Among the first in this section were John B. Boykin, B. 
B. Epperson, Alexander Avery, David Nann, Isaac Koonse, Thomas Thw- 
eatt, James Friar Eandolph, Anthony Swift, John McFarland, John 
Yancey, Zepheniah Porter, Solomon .Eice, Giles Hawkins, Joseph Clay, 
John Bowers, E. Williams, Cornelius Bunch and Eobert Johnson. J. 
F. Eandolph, above mentioned, moved with his father from Alabama, and 
settled at McMinnville, Warren County ; thence to AVest Tennessee. I 
M. Johnson was a native of Eutherford County, and settled in what was 
then Haywood, now Crockett, in 1823. 

Into Haywood County the whites began to enter about 1820. The 
first permanent settler is believed to have been Col. Eichard Nixon, 
in 1821, who was born October 26, 1769, and whose father was a 
Eevolutionary soldier. For his services in that war he was reward- 
ed by a grant of 3,600 acres of land. The grant fell in Haywood 
County, and on a portion of this Col. Nixon settled. His place of 
settlement was on Nixon Creek, about four miles from Brownsville. 
Lawrence McGuire, David Hay, Sr., B. H. Sanders, David Jefferson, N.. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 150 

T. Perkins, David Cherry and Joel Estes, were among those who found 
homes on the north side of the river. Those settling down amidst the 
virgin forest on the south side of the river were Oliver Wood, B. G. 
Alexander, Samuel P. Ashe and Rev. Thomas P. Neely. The latter of 
these came between 1826 and 1828. It was at the house of Col. Nixon 
that the fii-st courts were established in 1824. As rivers were about the 
only means of egress at that time nearly all settlements were made along 
the river courses. 

After the final treaty with the Chickasaws, by which they gave up 
West Tennessee, the inhabitants from East and Middle Tennessee, North 
and South Carolina and Virginia began to pour rapidly into those un- 
occupied lands. The first in the vicinity of Jackson were Adam R. 
Alexander, William Doak and Lewis Jones. In the Wilson neigh- 
borhood were Theophilus and David Launder, and Mr, Lacy. In 1820 
John Hargrave and Duncan Mclver settled in the vicinity of " Old Cot- 
ton Grove," and a little later John Bradley; about the same time J. Wad- 
dell settled on Spring Creek. The city of Jackson was built on lands 
owned by B. G. Stewart, Joseph Lynn and James Trousdale. Dr. Will- 
iam Butler planted cotton in 1821, in this county; also erected a giu 
the same year, which was brought all the way from Davidson County. 
Bernard Mitchell brought a keel-boat loaded with goods, groceries and 
whisky, up Forked Deer, and landed within one mile and a half of Jack- 
son; this was the first to vex the waters of that stream. 

Pioneers eame into Henderson County in 1821 ; a few came earlier. 
Joseph Reel was beyond doubt the first permanent white settler in the 
county. He came to the place in 1818, and settled on Beech River, about 
five miles east of the present site of Lexington. His sons John and Will- 
iam remained on the same land during their lifetime. Abner Taylor set- 
tled near the site of Lexington ; Maj. John Harmon near the head waters 
of the Big Sandy; Jacob Bartholomew and William Hay at the head of 
Beech River; William Cain and George Powers near the site of Pleas- 
ant Exchange ; William Doffy at the head waters of the south branch of 
Forked Deer River; William Dismukes on the north fork of Forked 
Deer, and Joseph Reed near Pine Knob. This county developed rajDidly. 
A mill was built on Mud Creek, in 1821, by John and William Brigham, 
and one on Forked Deer about the same time by Daniel Barecroft. A 
horse-mill was built on the road from Lexington to Trenton about the 
same time ; also a cotton-gin by Maj. 'John Harmon, on Beech Creek, 
in 1823. The first legal hanging in the vicinity was the execution of 
a slave woman of Dr. John A. Wilson's for the willful drowning of his 
daughter. Willis Dasden, who moved into this county from North Car- 



100 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

olina, was a man remarkable for size ; liis weight was never known, but 
was estimated at 800 j)ounds. 

Samuel Wilson owned the land on which the city of Lexington now 
stands; this was set apart for the city in 1822. The land office was 
established at the house of Samuel Wilson in the same year. 

The rich and attractive lands on the Tennessee in the southeastern 
portion of this county was first to attract immigrants. Almost as soon as 
the Indian title was extinguished, 1818, immigrants began to pour into 
this section of the newly acquired territory. That portion of the country 
known as Hardin County was laid off in 1820 and named in honor of 
Capt. John Hardin, of Revolutionary fame. James Hardin settled at the 
mouth of Horse Creek, a tributary entering the Tennessee not far from 
Savannah, in 1818 or 1819, and a horse-mill was erected on the same 
stream by Charles B. Nelson in 1819. It was doubtless from this source 
that the stream" got its name. T. C. Johnson, Lewis Faulkner, Samuel 
Faulkner and Daniel Robinson settled on Turkey Creek about 1820. 
Hiram Boon settled on a small stream that was afterward called Boon's 
Creek. James White gave a name to a small creek, a tributary of Horse 
Creek. Thomas White became a resident on Flat Gap Creek in 1819. 
Samuel Parmley, Thomas Cherry and Samuel Bruton became residents 
of this section at a little later period, all of whom were on the east side 
of the river. On the west side of the river, opposite the mouth of Horse 
Creek, Simpson Lee, Nathaniel Way and James McMaha*n took claims 
in 1818 or 1819. The pioneers were compelled, before the erection of 
mills, to depend upon the mortar or hand-mill for meal. This being 
rather a slow process water or horse-mills were encouraged and liberally 
patronized. A water-mill was built by Jesse Lacewell, on Smith's Fork 
of Indian Creek, in 1819, and another about the same time and near the 
same place by John Williams. Few regular ferries were to be found at 
that time. The Indian with his light or birch-bark canoe was enabled 
to cross the stream at almost any time as he could carry his boat with 
him. It was not till after his white brother got possession of the country 
that regular ferries were established. Among the first of these was one 
at Rudd's Bluff, just above where Savannah now stands. This was in 
1818. Lewis H. Broyles opened a store in this section in 1819-20. 
His goods were loaded on a flat-boat in East Tennessee and floated 
down the Tennessee to the place of landing. The first marriage cere- 
mony in this county was performed by Rev. James English in 1818, 
the contracting parties being A. B. Gantt and Miss M. Boon. All the 
necessary wants of a civilized and progressive people were soon supplied 
to these people, as a school was being taught near Hardinsville in 1820, 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 161 

by Nathauiel Casey; a church of the Primitive Baptists was built on 
Tui'key Creek in 1819-20, with Rev. Charles Riddle as pastor; a cotton- 
gin was built by James Boyd on Horse Creek in 1822. Courts were 
established in January, 1820, at the house of Col. James Hardin, near 
the mouth of Horse Creek. A small log court house was soon after 
erected, having a dirt floor and dimensions 16x20 feet. A large hollow 
tree sufficed for an improvised jail. 

Immediately west of Hardeman County lies McNairy; this county 
being away from any of the larger streams immigrants did not reach it 
quite so early as some of the counties whose location was geographically 
more favorable. Among the pioneers of this county were Abel Oxford, 
who settled on Oxford Creek below the mouth of Cypress ; also Quincy 
Hodge and William S. Wisdom with their families settled in the south- 
west part of the county. Others were John Shull, Peter Sliull, John 
Plunk, John Woodburn and Francis Kirby, whose son, Hugh Kirby, was 
the first white child born, 1821, in the county. James Reed and Allen 
Sweat came from North Carolina and settled in McNairy about 1824. 
John Chambers and N. Griffith established the first business house in 
the county. A water-mill was built on Cypress Creek in 1824, by Boyd 
& Barnesett. 

Lying in the upper valley of the Big Hatchie is Hardeman County. 
Settlements began in this portion of W^est Tennessee in 1819-20. 
Among the first and for whom the county was named was Col. Thomas J. 
Hardeman, also Col. Ezekiel Polk, his son William Polk and son-in-law 
Thomas McNeal. Before permanent settlements began a number of tran- 
sient persons had squatted in different parts of the county. Among them 
was Joseph Fowler, who settled at Fowler's Ferry, about sixteen miles 
south of Bolivar. The next permanent settlement was made by William 
Shinault in the southwest part of the county ,► not far from Hickory Val- 
ley. Jacob Purtle raised a crop of corn near " Hatchie Town," in the 
neighborhood ot Thomas McNeal's in 1821. William Polk made a crop 
the same year, five miles north of Bolivar. On the organization of the 
county court, in 1823, he was made chairman. A mill was built by Sam- 
uel Polk on Pleasant Run Creek, one and one-half miles east of the pres- 
ent site of Bolivar, about 1823; a second one was built on Mill Creek 
about six miles south of Bolivar, in the same year, for Col. John Murray 
by John Golden. A school was taught in the Shinault neighborhood in 
1823-24 by Edwin Crawford. Maj. John H. Bills and Prudence McNeal 
were the first couple united in marriage in that vicinity by the laws of 
civilization. The steam-boat "Roer," commanded by Capt. Newman, 
was the first to stem the waters of Hatchie as far up as Bolivar, 



i62 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Fayette County began to be settled about 1822-23. Among the first 
was Thomas J. Cocke, who came from North Carolina and settled in the 
northwest part of the county in 1823. E. G. Thornton and Joel Lang- 
ham followed soon after. Where Somerville now stands the lands were 
entered by George Bowers and James Brown some time before 1825. 
Bears and wolves and other beasts of the forest were then holding 
almost undisputed sway throughout the territory. Joseph Simpson 
claimed to have killed a bear, near where the court house of the county 
now stands, in 1824. The county seat, Somerville, was named in honor 
of Lieut. Eobert Somerville, who was killed at Horseshoe Bend in bat- 
tle with the Indians. Other settlers Avere David Jornegan, Thomas Cook, 
Daniel Head (a gunsmith), Horace Loomis, Dr. Smith, Henry Kirk, 
Henry M. Johnson, William Owen, L. G. Evans, William Eamsey, Daniel 
Cliff and John T. Patterson, with their families. 

The oldest and most wealthly division in West Tennessee is Shelby 
County. Could the rocks and rills speak, or "the books in running brooks" 
and "the tongues in trees" tell their story of the past, volumes of un- 
told interest would be revealed to us which must forever remain hidden. 
It is problematical whether the adventurous Spaniard, DeSoto, in the 
year 1540, was the first white man to tread the soil of this portion of 
Tennessee or whether it was left to the French Father Marquette or 
Bienville ; yet this much is certain, it is historic ground, around which 
cluster many events having great weight in the march of civilization. 
Known as it was for more than 200 years with its inviting prospects, it 
seems strange that the polished hand of civilization should have been 
held back so long. The Chickdsaw Bluffs were long a place of getting 
or receiving supplies between the whites and Indians ; it did not become 
B place of permanent abode for the whites till about 1818-19. Among 
the first settlers in Shelby County were Joel Kagler and James Williams. 
Shelby was admitted into the sisterhood of counties on November 24, 
1810, although the first court was not held until May 1, 1824. This was 
opened at Chickasaw Bluffs on the above date. As few if any roads 
were open for travel through the county, the first was opened from Mem- 
phis to the Taylor Mill settlement on Forked Deer Eiver. Persons con- 
nected with road officially were Thomas H. Persons, John Fletcher, John 
C. McLemore, Marcus B. Winchester, Charles Holeman and William 
Erwin. William Irvine was the legalized ferryman at Memphis in 1820. 
The following were the rates charged: Each man and horse, $1; each 
loose horse, 50 cents ; each hog or sheep, 25 cents ; each four-wheeled 
carriage drawn by four horses, the wagon being empty, |3 ; the same, 
loaded, $5; each four-wheeled vehicle and two horses, $1.50; the 



HISTOBY OF TENNESSEE. 163 

same, loaded, $2.50. The first ordinaries or houses of entertainment 
were kept in the city of Memphis in 1820 by Joseph James and Patrick 
Meagher. These houses were regulated by law as to charges, board 
being $2.50 to $3.50 per week or $1 per day. A horse was kept at 
$2.50 a week or 50 cents per day. The court was somewhat itinerant in 
its nature at first, having been changed to Kaleigh in 1827, and then to 
Colliersville in 1837. Peggy Grace is said to have purchased the first 
lot after the city of Memphis was laid out. Among the earliest settlers 
in the county were W. A. Thorp, who owned a grant near the old State 
line — a little north of it — and Peter Adams, who settled near the same 
place, a little south of the old line. On Big Creek, in 1820, were settled 
Jesse Benton, Charles McDaniel, D. C. Treadwell, Samuel Smith and 
Joel Crenshaw. In the vicinity of Raleigh were Dr. Benjamin Hawkins, 
William P. Reaves, Thomas Taylor and "William Sanders. The first 
American white child born in Shelby County was John W. Williams, in 
1822. The steam-boat, "^Etna" was the first to make regular trips to 
the wharf at Memphis early in the decade of the twenties. A brief 
retrospect shows that in a few years after the Indian title was extin- 
guished in West Tennessee, the whole country was changed as if by 
magic into an abode of civilization, wealth and refinement. In less than 
a decade every part of it was organized into counties, having their 
courts, churches, schools and accumulating wealth. 



164 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Organization— The European Chakters— Proprietary Grants— The Bound- 
ary Controversies— Causes of Dispute— Failure of Attempted Set- 
tlement OF THE Question— Final Establishment— I^ew Causes for 
Dispute — Extension of the Northern Line — The Walker and the 
Henderson Surveys— The Resulting Confusion— Opinion of Gov. 
Blount — The Demands of Kentucky— Negotiations— Illogical Posi- 
tion OF Tennessee— The Compromise of 1820— The Readjustment of 1860 
—The Southern Boundary Established in 1818 and in 1821— The 
Watauga Association — Officers and Laws— The Government of the 
Notables — The "Compact" or "Agreement" — Laavs — The State of 
Franklin — Causes which led to its Formation— Form of Government 
— The First Legislative Assembly — Interference of North Carolina 
—Resistance of Gov. Sevier— Ratification of the Constitution- 
Conflict OF Authority— Severe Measures— Fall of the State of 
Franklin. 

THE j&rst charter granted by an English, sovereign to an English 
subject to lands in North America, was by Queen Elizabeth to Sir 
Humphrey Gilbert, to any lands he might discover in North America. 
Its date was about June 11, 1578, and it was to be of perpetual efficacy 
provided the plantation should be established within six years. After 
several failures Sir Humphrey made a determined effort in 1583 to 
plant a colony on the island of Newfoundland, which resulted fatally to 
himself, his little bark of ten tons going down in a storm with himself 
and all on board. 

The second grant was by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Walter Raleigh, and 
was dated March 26, 1584. It was similar in its provisions, to that 
granted to Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and as Sir Walter's patent included 
what is now Tennessee, those provisions may be briefly stated in this 
connection. They are worthy of particular attention, as they unfold the 
ideas of that age respecting the rights of " Christian rulers," to countries 
inhabited by savage nations, or those who had not yet been brought 
under the benign influences of the gospel. 

Elizabeth authorized Sir- Walter to discover, and take possession of 
all barbarous lands unoccupied by any Christian prince or people, and 
vested in him, his heirs and assigns forever, the right of property in the 
soil of those countries of which he should take possession. Permission 
was given such of the Queen's subjects as were willing to accompany Sir 
Walter to go and settle in the countries which he might plant, and he 
was empowered, as were also his heirs and assigns, to dispose of what- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 165 

ever portion of tliose lands lie or they should judge fit to persons settling 
there in fee simple acccording to the laws of England; she conferred 
upon him, his heirs and assigns, the complete jurisdiction and royalties, 
as well marine as other within the said lands and seas thereunto adjoin- 
ing, and gave him full power to convict, punish, pardon, govern and rule 
in causes capital and criminal, as well as civil, all persons who should 
from time to time settle in these countries, according to such laws and 
ordinances, as should hy him, or by his heirs and assigns, be devised 
and established. 

Ealeigh, one of the most enterprising, accomplished and versatile men 
of his time was eager to undertake and execute the scheme of settling his 
grant, and, in pursuit of this design, despatched two small vessels under 
command of Amadas and Barlow, two officers of trust, to visit the coun- 
try which he intended to settle. In order to avoid the serious error made 
by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in coasting too far north, Raleigh's captains 
selected the course by the Canary and West India Islands, and arrived 
on the American coast July 4, 1584, landing on the island of Wocoken. 
Raleigh's grant was named by the Queen " Virginia," in commemoration 
of her state of life. But notwithstanding the precautions of the captains, 
and the smiles of the virgin queen upon the various attempts made to 
settle this grant, these attempts all terminated no less disastrously than 
had Sir Gilbert's, and at the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, in 1603, 
not a . solitary Englishman had effected a permanent settlement on North 
American soil. 

In 1607, however, a more successful effort was made to form a perma- 
nent English colony on this continent at Jamestown, in Virginia. In 
1609 a second charter was granted to this colony, investing the company 
with the election of a council, and the exercise of legislative power inde- 
pendent of the crown. In 1612 a third patent conferred upon the com- 
pany a more democratic form of government, and in 1619 the colonists 
were themselves allowed a share in legislation. In 1621 a written con- 
stitution was brought out by Sir Eraucis Wyatt, under which constitution 
each colonist became a freeman and a citizen. The colony prospered, 
and extended its southern boundaries to Albemarle Sound, upon which 
the first permanent settlers of North Carolina pitched their tents, hav- 
ing been attracted in this direction by reports of an adventurer from 
Virginia, who, upon returning from an expedition of some kind, spoke in 
the most glowing terms of the kindness of the people, of the excellence 
of the soil and of the salubrity of the climate. 

Representations of this kind reaching England had the effect of 
stimulating into activity the ambition and cupidity of certain English 



166 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

courtiers, and on March 24, 1663, Charles II made a grant to Edward, 
Earl of Clarendon, "hated by the people, faithful to the king;" Monk, 
"conspicuous in the Restoration, now the Duke of Albemarle;" Lord 
Craven, "brave cavalier, supposed to be the husband of the Queen of Bo- 
hemia ;" Lord Ashley Cooper, afterward Earl of Shaftesbury ; Sir John 
Colleton; Lord John Berkeley and his younger brother, Sir William 
Berkeley, and Sir George Carteret, "passionate, ignorant and not too 
honest," the grant including the country between the thirty-first and 
thirty-sixth jjarallels of latitude, and extending from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific Ocean. 

Notwithstanding the extent of this grant the proprietaries above 
named, in June, 1665, secured by another patent its enlargement and an 
enlargement of their powers. This second charter granted by King 
Charles II was in part as follows: 

Charles the Second, by the grace of God, op Great Britain,. France and 
Ireland, king, defender of the faith, etc. 

Whereas, By our letters patent, bearing date the 24tli of March, in the fifteenth 
year of our reign, we were graciously pleased to grant unto our right trusty and right well 
beloved cousin and counsellor, Edward, Earl of Clarendon, our high chancellor of Eng- 
land [here follow the names of the other grantees as given above] all that province, 
territory or tract of ground called Carolina, situate, lying and being within our dominions 
<jf America, extending from the north end of the island called Luke Island, which lieth in 
the southern Virginia seas, and within thirty-six degrees of north latitude, and to the west 
as far as the South seas, and so south respectively as far as the river Matthias, which bor- 
dereth upon the coast of Florida and within thirty-one degrees of northern latitude, and 
so west in a direct line as far as the South seas aforesaid. 

Know ye, that at the humble request of the said grantees, we are graciously pleased 
to enlarge our said grant unto them according to the bounds and limits hereafter specified, 
and in favor of the pious and noble purpose'^ of the said Edward, Earl of Clarendon [the 
names of the other proprietaries here follow], their heirs and assigns, all that province, 
territory or tract of land, situate, lying and being within our dominions of America as 
aforesaid, extending north and eastward as far as the north end of Currituck River or Inlet, 
upon a straight line westerly to Wyonoak Creek, which lies within or about the degree of 
thirty-six and thirty minutes, north latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the South 
seas, and south and westward as far as the degree of twenty-nine, inclusive, of northern 
latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the South seas, together with all and singu- 
lar the ports, harbors, bays, rivers and inlets belonging unto the province and territory 
aforesaid. 

This grant was made June 30, 1665, and embraced the territory 
now included in the following States : North and South Carolina, Georgia, 
Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, and parts of 
Florida, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico and California. The line of thirty- 
six degrees and thirty minutes extending from the top of the Alleghany 
Mountains to the eastern bank of the Tennessee Eiver, separates Virginia 
and Kentucky from Tennessee. The powers granted to the lords, pro- 
prietors of this immense province, were those of dictating constitutions 

*Tbi8 pious and noble purpose was none other than the increase of their own worth and dignity. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 1G7 

and laws for the people bj and with the advice and assent of the freemen 
thereof, or the greater part of them, or of their delegates or deputies, 
who were to be assembled from time to time for that purpose. 

This munificent grant was surrendered to the King July 25, 1729, 
by seven of the eight proprietors under authority of an act of parliament 
(2nd George, 2nd ch., 34), each of the seven receiving £2,500, besides 
a small sum for quit rents. The eighth proprietor, Lord Carteret, after- 
ward Earl Granville, on the 17th of September, 1744, relinquished his 
claim to the right of government, but b}' a commission appointed, jointly 
by the King and himself, was given his eighth of the soil granted by the 
charter, bounded as follows: "North by the Virginia line, east by the 
Atlantic, south by latitude thirty-five degrees {hirty-four minutes north, 
and west as far as the bounds of the charter." Prior to this the govern- 
ment of Carolina had been proprietary; but now (after 1729) it became 
regal, and the province was divided into two governments. North and 
South Carolina, in 1732. The Georgia Charter, issued in 1732, comprised 
much of the Carolina grant, but after 1752 the proprietors gave up the 
government, which also then became regal. Tennessee from this time 
until the treaty of Paris, in 1782, continued the property of the British 
Government, when all right to it was relinquished to North Carolina. 

It may be interesting to the general reader to learn that the 
descendant of Lord Carteret, who had become the Earl of Granville 
before the Revolutionary war, brought suit a short time before the war 
of 1812 in the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of 
North Carolina, for the recovery of his possessions. The case, as we 
learn from the Hon. W. H. Battle, formerly one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court of North Carolina, was tried before C. J. Marshall, and 
Judge Potter, who was then the district judge, and resulted in a verdict and 
judgment against the plaintiff, whereupon he appealed to the Supreme 
Court of the United States. Before the case could be heard in that court 
the war of 1812 came on, which put a stop to it and it was never revived. 

William Gaston (afterward Judge Gaston), then a young man, 
appeared in the suit for the plaintiff, and Messrs. Cameron (afterward 
Judge Cameron), Baker (afterward Judge Baker) and Woods appeared 
for the defendants. The question was whether Lord Granville's rights, 
which had been confiscated by the State of North Carolina during the 
Revolutionary war, had been restored by the treaty of peace between the 
United States and Great Britain. The case was never reported. Thus 
passed away the last vestige of the most munificent gift of which history 
makes mention.* 



'Killebrew's Resources of Tennessee. 



168 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The twenty-fifth section of the Declaration of Rights of North Caro- 
lina at the time of the adoption of her constitution in December, 1776, 
so far as it relates to the boundary of that State, is as follows: 

The property of the soil in a free government being one of the essential rights of the 
collective body of the people, it is necessary in order to avoid future disputes, that the 
limits of the State should be ascertained with precision; and as the former temporary line 
between North and South Carolina was confirmed and extended by commissioners appoint- 
ed by the Legislatures of the two States agreeable to the order of the late King George 
the Second in Council, that line and that only should be esteemed the southern boundary 
of this Slate as follows, that is to say: Beginning on the sea-side at a cedar stake at or 
near the mouth of Little Rivei-, being the southern extremity of Brunswick County; and 
runs thence a northwest course through the Boundary House which stands in thirty-three 
degrees and fifty-six minutes to thirty-five degrees nortli latitude; and from thence a west 
course so far as is mentioned in the charter of King Charles the Second to the late pro- 
prietors of Carolina: Therefore all the territories, seas, waters and harbors with their 
appurtenances, lying between the line above described and the southern line of the State 
of Virginia, which begins on the sea shore in thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north 
latitude; and from thence runs west agreeable to the said cliarter of King Charles I., the 
right and property of the people of this State to be held by them in sovereignty, any 
partial line without the consent of the Legislature of this State at any time thereafter 
directed or laid out in any wise notwithstanding. 

A number of provisos was included in the section, the last being 
that "nothing herein contained shall affect the title or possessions of 
individuals holding or claiming under the laws heretofore in force, or 
grants heretofore made by the late King George the Third, or his pred- 
ecessors, or the late lord proprietors or any of them." 

The history of the establishment of the line — thirty-six degrees and 
thirty minutes — as the northern boundary of North Carolina, is as fol- 
lows: James I, King of England, on May 23, 1609, made a grant to 
Eobert, Earl of Salisbury ; Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, and numerous other 
persons, "of all those countries lying in that part of America called Vir- 
ginia, from the point of land called Cape or Point Comfort, all along the 
sea-coast to the northward 200 miles, and from the same Point Comfort 
all along the sea-coast to the southward 200 miles, and all that space or 
circuit of land throughout from sea to sea." The above was the enlarged 
grant to the London Company, and extended along the Atlantic coast 
from Sandy Hook to Cape Fear, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
Ocean. In 1620 the grant to the Plymouth Company made the fortieth 
parallel their southern limit, and established that parallel as the northern 
iDoundary of Virginia. On March 24, 1662, Charles II made his first 
grant to the proprietors of Carolina as recited above, and on June 30. 
1665, Charles II enlarged this grant, as also recited above, and named a 
line destined to become only less famous in the history of the United 
States than Mason and Dixon's line, viz. : the line of thirty-six degrees 
and thirty minutes north latitude. The language of this second charter 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 169 

of Charles II, so far as it pertains to tliis famous line, is as follows: " All 
the province, etc., in America, extending north and eastward as far as the 
north end of Currituck Biver or inlet, upon a straight westerly line to 
Wyonoak Creek, which lies within or about thirty-six degrees and thirty 
minutes northern latitude, and so west on a direct line at far as the South 
Seas." North Carolina was called " Our County of Albemarle," in Caro- 
lina until about 1700, when it began to be called the Colony of North 
Carolina. The boundary line between North Carolina and Virginia soon 
began to be the source of considerable altercation between the two 
colonies, for the reason that the grant of Charles I overlapped the 
grant of his grandfather, James I. That this altercation was not fol- 
lowed by strife and bloodshed was due in part to the necessity of mutual 
aid and defense during the protracted struggle preceding and during the 
Revolution. But notwithstanding the forbearance thus caused and mani- 
fested is was necessary to locate this unlocated boundary line, for Vir- 
ginians were continually claiming lands south of the proper line, under 
what they supposed to be titles from the Crown, and North Carolinians 
were as continually entering lands to the north of the proper limits under 
warrants from the lord proprietors of Carolina. 

The London Company had been dissolved by James I, and when this 
dissolution occurred Virginia became a royal province ; hence the settle- 
ment of the boundary line between Virginia and Carolina devolved upon 
the Crown and the lord' proprietors. Early in 1710 commissioners 
representing the Crown of England, met similar commissioners represent- 
ing the lord proprietors, having for their object the settlement of this 
vexed question. But upon attempting to fix upon a starting point, they 
failed to agree by a difference of about fifteen miles ; hence they separa- 
ted without having accomplished anything. Against the Carolina com- 
missioners serious charges were made. On the 1st of March, 1710, an 
order of council was issued, from which the following is extracted: 
" The commissioners of Carolina are both persons engaged in interest to 
obstruct the settling of the boundaries ; for one of them has been for sev- 
eral years surveyor general of Carolina, and has acquired great profit to 
himself by surveying lands within the controverted bounds, and has taken 
up several tracts of land in his own name. The other of them is at this 
time surveyor general, and hath the same prospect of advantage by 
making future surveys within the same bounds." The conclusion of the 
order is as follows: " Her Majesty, in Council, is pleased to order as it 
is hereby ordered, the Right Honorable, the Lord Commissioners for 
Trade and Plantations, do signify her Majesty's pleasure herein to her 
Majesty's Governor or Commander-in-chief of Virginia for the time 



170 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

being, and to all persons to whom it may belong, as is proposed by their 

LordshijDs in said representation, and the Right Honorable, the Lord 

Proprietors of Carolina are to do what on their part does appertain." 

In January, 1711, commissioners appointed by both the governors of 

North Carolina and Virginia again attempted to settle the question, but 

failed to complete their task for want of money. Great inconvenience to 

the settlers was the result of this protracted controversy, and a remedy 

was sought in an act, the preamble of which was as follows : 

"Whereas, great suit, debate and controversy hath heretofore been, and may hereafter 
arise by means of ancient titles to lands derived from grants and patents by the governor 
of Virginia, the condition of which patents has not been performed, nor quit-rents paid, 
or the lands have been deserted by the first patentees or from or by reason of former en- 
tries or patents or grants in this government, etc., and for the prevention of the recur- 
rence of such troubles, and for quieting men's estates an act was passed. 

In obedience to the above quoted order of the Queen an agreement 
was entered into between the two governors, Charles Eden and Alexan- 
der Spottswood, which was transmitted to England for the approbation 
of the King. This agreement was approved by the King in council, and 
also by the lord proprietors and returned to the governors to be exe- 
cuted. The agreement or "convention," as Haywood calls it, was as 
follows: "That from the mouth of Currituck River, or Inlet, setting the 
compass on the north shore thereof, a due west line shall be run and 
fairly marked, and if it happen to cut Chowan River between the mouth 
of Nottaway River and Wiccacon Creek, then the same direct course 
shall be continued toward the mountains, and be ever deemed the divid- 
ino- line between Virtjinia and North Carolina. But if the said west line 
cuts Chowan River to the southward of Wiccacon Creek, then from that 
point of intersection the bounds shall be allowed to continue up the mid- 
dle of the Chowan River to the middle of the entrance into said Wicca- 
con Creek, and from thence a due west line shall divide the two govern- 
ments. That if said west line cuts Blackwater River to the northward of 
Nottaway River, then from the point of intersection the bounds shall be 
allowed to be continued down the middle of said Blackwater River to the 
middle of the entrance into said Nottaway River, and from thence a due 
west line shall divide the two governments, etc." 

Commissioners were appointed to carry this agreement or convention 
into effect, in accordance with following order: "At the court of St. 
James, the 2Sth day of March, 1727. Present the King's Most Excel- 
lent Majesty in Council. * * His Majesty is hereupon pleased 
with the advice of his Privy Council to approve the said Proposals, * 
* * and to order, as it is hereby ordered, that the Governor or 
Commander-in-chief of our Colony in Virginia do settle the said bound- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 171 

aries iu conjunction with the Governor of North Carolina, agreeable to 
said Proposals." The royal commission, so far as it regards Virginia, 
was in part as follows: "George II, by the Grace of God of Great Brit- 
ain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, to our well- 
beloved "William Byrd, Eichard Fitz William and William Dandridge, 
Esqrs., members of our Council of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, 
Greeting." This commission was dated December 14, 1727. The Caro- 
lina commission was dated February 21, 1728, and as that colony was 
under the government of the lord proprietors, the commission runs in 
their name: ''Sir Eichard Everard, Baronet, Governor, Captain, General 
and Commander-in-chief of the said Province: To Christopher Gale, 
Esqr., Chief Justice; John Lovick, Esqr., Secretary; Edward Mosely, 
Esqr., Surveyor General, and William Little, Esqr., Attorney General, 
Greeting: * * I, therefore, reposing especial confidence in 

you * * to be Commissioners on the part of the true and absolute 
Lord Proprietors." 

The commissioners thus appointed met at Currituck Inlet March G, 
1728, and after some disputes placed a cedar post on the north shore of 
Currituck Inlet, as their starting point. This point was found to be in 
north latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty-one minutes, and at that 
point the variation of the compass was found to be very nearly three de- 
grees, one minute and two seconds west, Allowing for this variation 
they ran, as they supposed, a due west line, passing through the Dismal 
Swamp, and acquired, as Col. Byrd expresses it, "immortal reputation bv 
being the first of mankind that ever ventured through the Dismal 
Swamp." Upon arriving at Buzzard Creek about 169 miles westward 
from the Atlantic coast, the Carolina commissioners abandoned the work, 
October 5, 1728. Mr. Fitz William also abandoned the work at the same 
time. Col. Byrd and Mr. Dandridge continued the line to a point on 
Peter^s Creek, a tributary of Dan Eiver, near the Saura Towns, 241 miles 
and 30 poles from the coast, and there marked the termination of their 
work on a red oak tree, October 26, 1728. Col. Byrd wrote a delightful 
work entitled: "The History of the Dividing Line," in which he records 
his disappointment at finding that the people along the border were de- 
sirous of falling on the Carolina side of the line, and though disgusted 
and indignant, as well as disappointed, at this preference of the people, 
yet true to the generosity of his nature, he favored their wishes as far as 
his instructions would permit, and located the line about one mile north 
of thirty-six degrees and thirty-one minutes. In his history he says: 
"We constantly found the borderers laid it to heart, if their land was 
taken into Virginia. They chose much rather to belong to Carolina, 



172 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

where they pay no tribute to God or Caesar." Col. Byrd closes his nar- 
rative in the following language: "Nor can we by any means reproach 
ourselves of having put the Crown to any exorbitant expense in this 
difficult affair, the whole charge from beginning to end amounting to no 
more than £1,000. But let no one concerned in this painful Expedition 
complain of the scantiness of his pay, so long as his Majesty has been 
graciously pleased to add to our reward the Honour of his Royal appro- 
bation, and to declare, notwithstanding the Desertion of the Carolina 
Commissioners, that the line by us run shall hereafter stand as the true 
Boundary betwixt the Governments of Virginia and North Carolina." 

The next step in the history of this line was taken in 1749, Avhen it 
was extended westward from Peters Creek, where Col. Byrd terminated 
his labors, to a point on Steep Rock Creek, a distance of eighty-eight 
miles, in all 329 miles from the coast. In this extension the commis- 
sioners on the part of Virginia were Joshua Fry, professor of mathe- 
matics in William and Mary College, and Peter Jefferson, father of 
Thomas Jefferson, afterward President of the United States ; and on the 
part of North Carolina they were Daniel Weldon and William Churton. 

The line thus extended by these last commissioners was satisfactory, 
and remained the boundary between North Carolina and Virginia ; and 
as by the treaty of Paris in 1763, the Mississippi River was fixed upon 
as the western boundary of North Carolina, it was hoped that that and 
the northern boundary line were established — the latter at thirty-six de- 
grees and thirty minutes. In 1779, urged by the necessities of the 
western settlements, the Legislatures of Virginia and North Carolina 
appointed a joint commission to extend the line westward between their 
respective territories. The commissioners on the part of North Carolina 
were Col. Richard Henderson and William B. Smith ; and on the part of 
Virginia, Dr. Thomas Walker and Daniel Smith. These commissioners 
were instructed to begin the extension of the line where Fry and Jeffer- 
son, and Weldon and Churton ended their work; and if that were found 
to be truly in latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north, then 
to run due west from that point to the Tennessee or the Ohio River. If 
that point were found not to be truly in said latitude, then to run from 
the said place due north or due south into the said latitude and thence 
due west to the said Tennessee or Ohio River, correcting said course at 
due intervals by astronomical observations. 

The commissioners met early in September, 1779, but failed to find 
the point on Steep Rock Creek where Fry and Jefferson, and Weldon 
and Churton ended their line. The point of observation chosen, according 
to memoranda of agreement entered on the books of both parties, was in 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 173 

north latitude thirty-six degrees, thirty-cue minutes and twenty-five 
seconds, and in west longitude eighty-one degrees and twelve minutes. 
From this point they ran due south one mile, to a point supposed to be 
in latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes. From this point they 
ran a line, as they supposed, due west about forty-five miles, to Carter's 
Valley, when a disagreement occurred, and the two commissions separated. 
Each commission then ran a line independent of the other as far west as 
the Cumberland Mountain, the two lines being parallel with each other, 
and about two miles apart. The line run by the North Carolina commis- 
sioners, generally known as Henderson's line, was north of that run by 
the Virginia commissioners, likewise generally known as "Walker's line. 
At the Cumberland Mountain the North Carolina commissioners aban- 
doned their work after sending in a protest against Walker's line. The 
Virginia commissioners continued with their line to the Tennessee River, 
leaving, however, an unsurveyed gap from Deer Fork to the east crossing 
of Cumberland River, a distance estimated by them to be one huncbed 
and nine miles. Although not authorized to do so, the commissioners 
marked the termination of this line on the Mississippi River, but did not 
survey the intervening distance. The total length of the line thus far 
surveyed was as follows: Bryd's line, 241 miles; Fry and Jefferson's 
line, 88 miles; Walker's line — ^from Steep Rock Creek to Deer Fork — 
123| miles, unsurveyed line (estimated) 109 miles; from the east to the 
west crossing of the Cumberland, 131 miles ; and from the Cumberland 
to the Tennessee River, 9^ miles; total distance from the Atlantic Ocean 
to the Tennesse River, 702 miles. The commissioners were at Deer 
Fork November 22, 1779; at the east crossing of the Cumberland 
February 25, 1780; and at the Tennessee River March 23, following. 

Considerable disorder followed the running of these two lines, as be- 
tween them the authority of neither State was established; the validity 
of process from neither State was acknowledged; entries for lands 
tween the lines were made in both States ; and both States issued grants 
for the said lands. Crimes committed on this disputed territory could 
not be punished, and while no immediate action was taken by the two 
States, yet such a condition of society between them could not be long en- 
dured, especially as by concert of action a remedy could be applied. Upon 
this subject the Governor of Virginia addressed a letter to the Legisla- 
ture of North Carolina, proposing that the line commonly called Walker's 
line be established as the boundary between the States; and that if that 
proposition were not satisfactory, they then would appoint commissioners 
to meet commissioners to be appointed by North Carolina, empowered to 
confer on the propriety of establishing either Walker's or Henderson's 



174 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

line, and to report the result of their conference to the Legislatures of 
their respective States. This letter was referred by the Legislature of 
North Carolina to a committee of which Gen. Thomas Person was chair- 
man, at its session commencing November 2, and ending December 22, 
1789. The committee reported through Gen. Person in favor of the pas- 
sage of a law confirming and establishing Walker's line as the boundary be- 
tween the two States. Doubts arising as to the formality and sufficiency 
of this action of the. Legislature, a second report was made by the Cai'olina 
committee on boundaries, of which Gen. Person was again chairman, again 
recommending the confirming of Walker's line as the boundary line. 
This report was read and concurred in December 11, 1790, by both the 
House of Commons and the Senate. Learning of this action on the part 
of North Carolina, the Legislature of Virginia passed an act on the 7th 
of December, 1791, declaring "That the line commonly called and known 
by the name of Walker's line shall be, and the same is hereby declared 
to be the boundary line of this State." Thus the boundary line, which 
had so long been in controversy, was regarded by both States as being 
finally settled. 

With reference to the direction of the line run by Mr. Walker and 
Mr. Smith it may here be stated that in consequence of failure to make 
due allowance for the variation of the needle, this line continuously de- 
flected toward the north. This deflection was caused either by the im- 
perfection of their instruments or by the failure of the commissioners to 
test their work by a sufficient number of observations. Upon reaching 
the Tennessee River Walker's line was more than twelve miles too far 
north in a direct line, being near latitude thirty-six degrees and forty 
minutes, and where it first touched the State of Tennessee it was near 
latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty-four minutes. 

With respect to the date of the first resolution confirming Walker's 
line, it should here be noted that it was adopted practically on the 2d 
of November, 1789, as under the law of North Carolina all acts related 
to the first day of the session, and the act ceding the Western Terri- 
tory to the United States was passed at the same session of the Legisla- 
ture, and thus, therefore, on the same day. The deed executed to Con- 
gress, in pursuance of the cession act, was dated February 25, 1790, and 
was accepted April 2, 1790. The second resolution confirmatory of 
Walker's line was passed December 11, 1790. 

In 1792 William Blount, territorial governor of Tennessee, insisted 
that the first resolution of the Carolina Legislature, referred to above, 
was not a legal confirmation of Walker's line, and that the second reso- 
lution adopted December 11, 1790, having been passed many months 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 175 

after the acceptance by Congress of the cession of the Western Terri- 
tory, was invalid as to the United States, of which Tennessee was then 
a Territory. Gov. Blount also urged that for ten years previous to the 
cession North Carolina had exercised jurisdiction to Henderson's line, 
and announced his intention of maintaining that jurisdiction. A proc- 
lamation was issued by Gov. Blount asserting jurisdiction to Hender- 
son's line, and a counter proclamation was issued by Gov. Lee, of Vir- 
ginia, asserting jurisdiction to Walker's line. Matters remained in this 
rather hostile shape until 1801, when a joint commission was appointed 
to determine the true boundary line. 

The Legislature of Tennessee passed an act appointing Moses Fisk, 
Gen. John Sevier and Gen. George Rutledge her commissioners to meet 
commissioners appointed by Virginia to take the latitude and run the 
line. Virginia appointed Joseph Martin, Creed Taylor and Peter John- 
son. This commission met at Cumberland Gap December 18, 1802, and 
failing to agree in the result of their astronomical observations, entered 
into an agreement, which they reduced to writing, signed and sealed, 
and ran the line in accordance therewith parallel to the two lines in 
dispute and about midway between them, and about one mile from each. 
The agreement of the commissioners and the certificate of the surveyors 
who ran the line are as follows: 

The commissioners for ascertaining and adjusting the boundary line between the two 
States of Virginia and Tennessee, appointed pursuant to the public authority on the part 
of each, have met at the place previously appointed for the purpose, and not uniting from 
the general result of their astronomical observations to establish either of the former lines 
called Walker's or Henderson's, unanimously agree, in order to end the controversy 
respecting the subject, to run a due west line equally distant from both, beginning on the 
summit of the mountain generally known by the name of White Top Mountain, where 
the northwest corner of Tennessee terminates, to the top of the Cumberland Mountain, 
where the southwestern corner of Virginia terminates, which is declared hereby to be the 
true boundary line between the two Stales, and has been accordingly run by Brice Martin 
and Nathan B. Marklaud, the surveyors duly appointed for the purpose, and marked 
under the direction of the said commissioners, as will more at large appear by the report 
of the said surveyors hereto annexed, and bearing date herewith. The commissioners 
do, therefore, unanimously agree to recommend to their respective Stales that individuals 
having claims or titles to lands on either side of the said line as now affixed and agreed 
upon and between the lines aforesaid, shall not in consequence thereof in any wise be 
prejudiced or affected thereby, and that the Legislatures of their respective States should 
pass mutual laws to render all such claims or titles secure to the owners thereof. 

Given under our hands and seals at William Robertson's, near Cumberland Gap, the 
8th day of December, 1802. 

The certificate of the surveyors that they had run the line as above 
described was dated on the same day, and signed by both. This agree- 
ment and the line run in accordance therewith were confirmed by the 
Legislatures of both States, by Tennessee November 3, 1803, and by 



176 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Virginia in the same year, and the boundary between Virginia and Ten- 
nessee was thus finally established by a compromise. Although subse- 
quent negotiations have occurred, no change has been made, but in 1859 
the line was re-marked by Samuel Milligan and George E. McClellan, 
commissioners for Tennessee, and Leonidas Bangui and James C. Black, 
commissioners for Virginia. 

While this compromise line midway between Walker's and Hender- 
son's lines became the established boundary between Tennessee and Vir- 
ginia, the boundary between Tennessee and Kentucky was Walker's line. 
In the first Carolina resolution confirming the Walker line, the foUow- 
iusr lanoruasre was used: "Mr. Walker and the other commissioners from 
Virginia extended the line to the Tennessee River and marked its termi- 
nation on the Mississippi from observations, leaving the line from the 
Tennessee to that place unsurveyed." The second resolution reafiirmed 
the first, and the Legislatures of both States ratified the action of the 
commissioners, thus clearly extending the line to the Mississippi River. 
But the action of Tennessee under Gov. Blount, above explained, repudi- 
ating the Carolina and Virginia compact, was seized upon by Kentucky 
in later years to reopen the boundary question as between her and Ten- 
nessee. As stated above Kentucky discovered that Walker's line was 
several miles north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes ; the parallel 
upon wdiich it was designed to be run, and was desirous of readjusting the 
boundary on that parallel. The logic of her argument in favor of this 
was irresistible: "Since by your own showing the confirmation of Walk- 
er's line by Virginia and North Carolina is invalid as to us, then we have 
no dividing line except the imaginary one of thirty-six degrees and thirty 
minutes. Let us move down south and locate it." 

In 1813 Kentucky passed an act in the preamble to which she inti- 
mates her impatience at the continuance of the struggle, and her deter- 
mination to find some effectual means of settling it: "Whereas Tennes- 
see proposes to depart from the true line of separation * * * 
to be ascertained by correct and scientific observations, etc., the disa- 
greeable necessity is imposed upon Kentucky of having the long-con- 
tested question finally settled by the means pointed out by the Constitu- 
tion of the United States." The next step taken by Tennessee was No- 
vember 17, 1815, when an act was passed to which the following is the 
preamble : 

Whekeas, Some difficulty has existed between the State of Kentucky and this State, 
and whereas it is essential to the harmony and interest of both States that the line com- 
monly called Walker's line heretofore considered and acted on as the boundary between 
them sliould be established as the boundary between the two States, therefore be it en- 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 177 

acted that tlie line commonly called Walker's line be, and the same is hereby established 
and confirmed as the true boundary between the States of Kentucky and Tennessee." 
******* 

Sec. 5. Be it enacted that if the Legislature of Kentucky shall refuse to pass such 
an act as the above, then this act shall cease to be in force, etc. 

In response to this proposition on the part of Tennessee, Kentucky 
passed an act on the 10th of February, 181(3, in which she declines to 
accept the line proposed, but offers to adopt "Walker's line so far as it 
was originally run and marked, to wit: From a point near the mouth of 
Obed's, alias Obey's River to the Tennessee River, as the true jurisdictional 
line between this State and the State of Tennessee, and as to the residue of 
the line between the two States, the following shall be adopted as the true 
position thereof: At the eastern extremity of Walker's line near the mouth 
of Obed's River aforesaid, a line shall be run at right angles either 
north or south, as the case may require, till it reaches the true chartered 
limits of the two States in the latitude of thii'ty-sis degrees and thirty 
minutes north, and from that point the line shall be extended to the 
east, still keeping the same latitude till it reaches the eastern boundary 
of this State; and at the west extremity of Walker's line, to wit, the Ten- 
nessee River, a line shall be extended up or down the said river as the 
case may require till it reaches the true chartered latitude thirty-six de- 
grees and thirty minutes north, and from that point the line shall be ex- 
tended due west, still keeping the same latitude till it reaches the Missis- 
sippi River." 

Had "this proposition been accepted by Tennesseie about 180 miles 
of the boundary line would have been placed on the "' chartered latitude," 
thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes ; but Tennessee could be satisfied 
with nothing short of Walker's line, or at least with very little less than 
that line as her northern boundary, and in order to show her insistence 
on that line passed an act, after reciting the customary preamble, "that 
the line commonly called Walker's line, so far as the same has been run 
and marked, shall be considered and taken to be the true line between 
the States." 

Sec. 2. That as soon as the State of Kentucky shall pass a law agreeing thereto, a 
direct line from the eastern extremity of the line called Walker's line, as marked at Cum- 
berland River, to Walker's line at a place called Cumberland Gap, shall be considered 
and taken the true line between the States. 

Sec. 3. That this State will, provided the State of Kentucky agree thereto, apply to 
the Executive of the United States to appoint a commissioner to ascertain the true point 
where the boundary line between this State and the State of Kentucky will strike the Ten- 
nessee River on the western bank thereof, and that from that point a line shall be run di- 
rectly west to the western boundary of the State of Tennessee, which shall be the line 
bounding the two States. 

This persistence on the part of Tennessee in affirming what she con- 



178 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

sidered to be her riglit, considerably nettled her sister State, who re- 
plied to this proposal on January 30, 1818, by the following "spicy en- 
actment." 

Be it enacted that all laws heretofore passed by the General Assembly of this com- 
monwealth relative to the boundary line between this State and Tennessee shall be, and 
the same are hereby repealed. 

Sec. 2. That the southern boundary line of this State shall be and remain on a 
line running west from the top of Cumberland Mountain to the Mississippi River in 36° 
30' north latitude, anything in any former law passed by this State to the contrary not- 
withstanding. 

In pursuance of this enactment Kentucky, in 1819, sent her surveyors 
Alexander and Munsell to run and mark the line on thirty-six degrees 
and thirty minutes between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers, and 
declared this to be the true boundary. This line struck the Tennessee 
River about twelve miles in a direct line south of Walker's line, and if 
it had been continued on eastward it would have passed about two miles 
to the south of Clarksville. It was now evident to Tennessee that her 
territorial integrity was in danger, and that decided steps must be taken 
if she would not lose to a large extent in property and population. She 
realized her own illogical position in claiming jurisdiction to a line the 
validity of which as a boundary she had solemnly repudiated. She could 
not rest quietly in possession, for she plainly saw that Kentucky intended 
to have the boundary question settled, and to extend her southern line 
down to the "chartered limits" of the State, thirty-six degrees and thirty 
minutes; the latitude in which Walker's line was supposed to be run. 
It was necessary to find some plea by which she could still plavisibly 
maintain her right to Walker's line as actually run as her northern 
boundary. This plea was supplied by Gov. Joseph McMinn in his mes- 
sage of October 6, 1819, and it was the only plea which Tennessee could 
bring to her aid, the desire of the people residing on the belt of territory 
between the ."chartered limits," and Walker's line, to remain under the 
jurisdiction of Tennessee. He admitted that Alexander & Munsell' s line, 
if it were in fact in latitude thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, should 
be allowed to stand. The necessity of this comjjromise was forced upon 
Tennessee by her being estopped from pleading the confirming of 
Walker's line by the Virginia and Carolina compact which under Gov. 
William Blount she had repudiated. 

The Legislature of Tennessee having thus failed to establish her 
claim by enactments determined to send commissioners to the Kentucky 
Legislature and try the efficacy of a joint commission. Kentucky though 
opposed to that method of settling the question, was at length persuaded 
by Tennessee's commissioners. Felix Grundy and William L. Brown, to 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 179 

appoint a commission, selecting John J. Crittenden and Robert Trimble. 
Notwithstanding the fact that Kentucky's argument as to abstract title 
was Unanswerable, yet the Tennessee commissioners successfully urged 
actual possession, and the desires of the people, together with the multi- 
tude of hardships that must necessarily result from a change, and offered 
to permit all the lines to remain as then located including Alexander & 
Munsell's line. The compromise was accepted by Kentucky, and effected 
February 2, 1820. According to this compromise the boundary line was 
to be Walker's line to the Tennessee RiA'er; thence uj) and with said 
river to Alexander & Munsell's line; thence with said line to the Missis- 
sippi River — the treaty to be valid when ratified by the Legislature of 
Kentucky. Thus the main points were finally settled, but still for some 
years numerous inconveniences continued to develop from the loss of 
some of the landmarks of Walkers line, the uncertainty regarding others, 
and the unsurveyed gap, between Deer Fork and the Cumberland River. 
In 1821, this gap unsurveyed by Walker, was surveyed by a joint com- 
mission consisting of William Steele, on the part of Kentucky, and Ab- 
salom Looney, on the part of Tennessee, and they extended their survey 
from the east crossing of Cumberland River to Cumberland Gap. On 
November 13, 1821, Tennessee passed an act confirming this survey as 
far as it extended, including in the act a minute description of the survey, 
and on the 22d of the same month Kentucky confirmed this line. 

In 1831 James Bright, commissioner for Tennessee, and Dr. Mun- 
sell. commissioner for Kentucky, ran and marked Walker's line along 
the southern borders of Allen, Simpson and Trigg Counties straight from 
the point near the west crossing of the Cumberland River to the Tenn- 
essee. This survey, if adopted, would have thrown into Kentucky a strip 
of land about a mile wide which is now a portion of Tennessee. 

In 1815 Gov. James C. Jones appointed, as commissioners on the 
part of Tennessee, C. W. Nance and William P. McLain, who met Messrs. 
Wilson and Duncan, commissioners from Kentucky, in October of that 
year, and marked a line along the borders of Trigg and Christian Coun- 
ties, and along that portion of Fulton County west of Reelfoot Lake. 
These different lines were all readjusted in 1859, by a joint commission 
consisting of Benjamin Peeples and O. R. Watkins, commissioners ; O. H. 
P. Bennett, engineer; J. Trafton, L. Burnett, assistant engineers, and J. 
M. Nicholson, surveyor, on the part of Tennessee ; and Austin P. Cox and 
C. M. Driggs, commissioners; J. Pillsburg, engineer; G. Trafton, G. 
Stealey and A. Hensly, assistant engineers, on the part of Kentucky. 
They met at a place called Compromise, on the Mississippi River, and 
having improved instruments made an accurate and satisfactory survey, 



180 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

placing the stones as required and marking the line on permanent trees 
with four chops toward the east and toward the west. 

From Compromise, in latitude thirty-six degrees, twenty-nine minutes 
and fifty -five and seven hundredths seconds, they followed very nearly 
along Alexander and Munsell's line to the Tennessee, in latitude thirty- 
sis degrees, twenty-nine minutes and fifty-four seconds. Thence they 
ran down the Tennessee to Walker's line, which is very nearly in latitude 
thirty-six degrees, forty minutes and forty-five seconds, and from this 
point they followed Walker's line to the southeastern corner of Kentucky, 
latitude thirty-six degrees, thirty-four minutes and fifty-three and forty- 
eight hundredths seconds. From this point they ran to the southwest 
corner of Virginia in latitude thirty six degrees, thirty-six minutes and 
ninety-two hundredths seconds. This survey cost Tennessee $25,357, 
and Kentucky |22,630.07. The stone posts cost $1,265. Kentucky ap- 
proved the acts of this joint commission February 28, 1860, and Ten- 
nessee March 21, 1S60. 

Thus after a protracted, and in many instances a vexatious contro- 
versy, lasting from 1792 to 1860, Tennessee finally established her title, 
if not her right, to that strip of territory extending from White Top 
Mountain to the Tennessee Eiver. That portion adjoining Virginia is 
about 110 miles long, and averages about seven miles in width, while 
that adjoining Kentucky is about 245 miles long, and about five and 
three-quarters miles wide at its eastern extremity, gradually increasing 
in width until it reaches the Tennessee, where it is about twelve and one- 
half miles wide. 

For this acquisition she is indebted first to the failure of the Virginia 
and Carolina commissioners to make due allowance for the variation of 
the needle; second, to the fidelity and ability of her public servants; 
third, to the preference of the people along the border to remain within 
her jurisdiction, and fourth, to the liberality of Kentucky and Virginia, 
which led them to respect the preferences of the people. And for the 
loss of the strip west of the Tennessee and between the "chartered limits" 
and Walker's line, she is indebted to the repudiation by Gov. Blount, 
of the Virginia and Carolina compact. And yet, although this struggle 
which lasted so long and had attracted so much attention, was settled 
thus in 1860, her constitution of 1870 adheres to the old imaginary lines, 
and describes her northern boundary as thirty-six degrees and thirty 
minutes, but this careless description is well guarded by the following 
clause: "Provided that the limits and jurisdiction of this State shall ex- 
tend to any other laud an<l territory now acquired by compact or agree- 
ment with other States or otherwise, although such land and territory 
are not included within the boundaries hereinbefore designated." 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 181 

The liistoiy of the southern boundary line of this State is not of such 
absorbing interest, nor fortunately so long as that above detailed. 
Quoting again from the Declaration of Rights: "That line and that only 
should be esteemed the southern boundary of this State (North Carolina) 
as follows, that is to say : Beginning on the sea-side at a cedar stake at or 
near the mouth of Little Eiver, being the southern extremity of Bruns- 
wick County and runs thence a northwest course through the Boundary 
House, which stands in thirty-three degrees and fifty-six minutes, to 
thirty-five degrees north latitude, and from thence a west course, so far 
as is mentioned in the charter of King Charles II to the late ^proprietors 
of Carolina." This declaration was adopted in December, 1776, and 
shows that the parallel of thirty-five degrees north latitude was consid- 
ered as the established southern boundary line of North Carolina 
westward from the point where the line "running a northwest course 
through the Boundary House" if extended would intersect that parallel. 
To establish the line between North and South Carolina, commissioners 
were appointed by both these colonies in 1737. Those of the former 
colony were Robert Hilton, Matthew Rowan and Edward Mosely. 
They began at the cedar stake on the sea shore by the mouth of Little 
River, and ran the line until they arrived at the thirty-fifth degree. At 
the termination of the northwest line they erected a light wood stake 
upon a mound. The line was continued by private parties twenty miles, 
and in 1764 was still further extended. 

In 1818 the boundary between Tennessee and Georgia was estab- 
lished. The commissioners appointed Joseph Cobb surveyor, and two 
chain carriers and two markers. These parties arrived at Ross' in the 
Cherokee nation on the 15th of May. From Ross', which was on the 
Tennessee River, they proceeded to Nickajack, where on the next day 
they met the commissioners and surveyor a,j)pointed by Georgia. The 
joint commission decided that the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude 
was one mile and twenty-eight poles, fi'om the south bank of the Tennes- 
see, due south from near the center of the town of Nickajack. This point 
was supposed by them to be the corner of the States of Georgia and Ala- 
bama. At this point they caused a rock to be erected, two feet high, four 
inches thick and fifteen inches broad, engraved on the north side "June 
1, 1818, Var. six degrees and forty-five minutes east," and on the south side 
"Geo. Lat. thirty-five degrees north, J, Car mack." From this rock they 
ran the line due east to the top of the Unaka, Mountains, where they 
closed their survey with a variation of the compass of five degrees and 
thirty minutes; the length of the line surveyed being nearly 110 miles. 
The line west of Nickajack was extended in part by Gen. Coffee and the 



182 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

residue by Gen. Winchester. The boundary line between Tennessee and 
Mississippi was also run by John Thompson, and his line was adopted 
by Tennessee as the southern boundary, but Mississippi failed to adopt 
it. The question was finally settled by Tennessee November 9, 1837, 
and by Mississippi February 8, 1838, on which dates the two States, 
resj)ectively, ratified the proceedings of a joint commission to run the 
true boundary line. The history of the running of the line is sufficiently 
shown in the language of the act by the Tennessee Legislature above re- 
ferred to as follows: 

Whereas the State of Tennessee believing the southern boundary line of the State 
dividing Tennessee from Mississippi was not correctly run by the commissioners in 1819, 
with the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude; and whereas the State of Tennessee, by an 
act passed November 29, 1833, did establish what is known as Thompson's line as the 
southern boundary of the State, which act did not receive the sanction of the State of 
Mississippi; and whereas the authorities of Tennessee and Mississippi having recently by 
commissioners on the part of the two States, run and marked another line wliich is agreed 
upon providing they ratify the same, which line is described in the commissioners' report 
as follows- Commencing at a point on the west bank of the Tennessee River, sixty-four 
chains south or above the mouth of Yellow Creek and about three-fourths of a mile north 
of the line known as Thompson's line, and twenty-six chains and ten links north of 
Thompson's line at the basis meridian of the Chickasaw surveys, and terminating at a 
point in the east bank of the Mississippi River, opposite Cow Island, sixteen chains north 
of Thompson's line; therefore 

Be it enacted, etc., That the line as run and marked between this State and Mississippi 
by B. A. Ludlow,D. W. Connely and W. Petrie (commissioners on the part of Mississippi), 
and John D. Graham and Austin Miller (commissioners on the part of Tennessee) be and 
the same is hereby declared to be the true southern boundary of the State of Tennessee, 
being 35° north latitude, and that the jurisdiction of the State be extended to that line 
in as full and ample a manner as the same was extended to the line run by Winchester. 

The eastern boundary line, or that between Tennessee and North Car- 
olina, was finally established by an act passed by the Legislature of the 
former State during the session commencing November 19, 1821, the 
lancfuasre of the act running somewliat as follows: That the dividing line 
run and marked by Alexander Smith, Isaac Allen and Simeon Perry, com- 
missioners on the part of Tennessee, and James Mebane, Montford Stokes 
and Robert Love, commissioners from North Carolina, which line begins 
at a stone set up on the north side of the Cataloochee Turnpike Road, 
' and marked on the west side " Tenn. 1821," and on the east side " N. C. 
1821," and running along the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains, 
etc., etc., and striking the southern boundary line twenty-three poles 
west of a tree in said line marked " 72 M," where was set up by said 
commissioners a square post, marked on the west side "Tenn. 1821," and 
on the east side " N. C. 1821" and on the south side "G." be and the 
same is hereby ratified, confirmed and established as the true boundary 
line between this State and North Carolina. This line was confirmed by 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 183 

the Legislature ol: North Carolina during the session commencing No- 
vember 19, 1821. 

THE WATAUGA ASSOCIATION. 

The settlers on the Watauga and Holston, though very near the 
boundaries of Virginia and North Carolina, and though most of them 
were emigrants from the latter State, were living without the protection 
of the laws of either. Being thus without regular government, it was 
necessary for them to adopt for themselves rules for their own guidance. 
These rules were adopted in 1772, and are believed to have constituted 
the first written compact of government west of the mountains. The 
government was simple and moderate, paternal and patriarchal, summary 
and firm. The settlers elected as commissioners thirteen citizens, as fol- 
lows: John Carter, Charles Robertson, James Robertson, Zachariah Is- 
bell, John Sevier, James Smith, Jacob Brown, AVilliam Bean, John 
Jones, George Russell, Jacob "VVomack, Robert Lucas and "William 
Tatham. Of these thirteen commissioners five were appointed as a 
court, by whom all matters in controversy were settled, and the same tri- 
bunal had entire control of everything pertaining to the public good. 
This court was composed, it is believed, of the following persons: John 
Carter, Charles Robertson, James Robertson, Zachariah Isbell and 
John Sevier, with William Tatham as clerk. For a number of years this 
form of government performed its functions with success and satisfaction 
to the people. But at length dissensions arose, and the result of these 
various views and desires of the people was the establishment of the State 
of Franklin, as detailed later in this chapter. 

After the establishment of the Watauga Association, the* Govern- 
ment of the Notables was the next in the order of time. This was on 
the banks of the Cumberland, as that was on the banks of the Watausra. 
It grew up from the necessities of the people, far removed from any pro- 
tecting government. Robertson's principal colony arrived at the French 
Lick about January 1, 1780 — Putnam says December 25, 1779. John 
Donelson's party arrived April 24, 1780, and on May 1 following, the 
compact of government or articles of agreement were entered into by 
the settlers on the Cumberland. It was stated in the chapter on the set- 
tlement of the territory, that in the vicinity of the French Lick there 
were eight stations, and when the government came to be established, 
each station was entitled to representatives in the " Tribunal of Nota- 
bles" as follows: 

Nashborough (at Nashville) 3 

Mansker's (Casper Mansker's Lick) 2 

Bledsoe's (now Castilian Springs) 1 



184 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Asher's (Station Camp Creek) 1 

Freeland's (at Dr. McGavock's or Horticultural Garden) 1 

Eaton's (now Brooklyn) 3 

Fort Union (where Haj'sl)orougli was) 1 

Stone's River (west of the Hermitage) 1 

These representatives, or a majority of them, after being bound by 
the solemnity of an oath to do equal and impartial justice between all 
contending parties, were empowered and made competent to settle all 
controversies relative to location and improvements of lands; all other 
matters and questions of dispute among the settlers; protecting the rea- 
sonable claims of those who may have returned for their families; pro- 
viding implements of husbandry and food for such as might arrive with- 
out such necessaries ; making especial provisions for widows and orphans 
whose husbands or fathers may die or be killed by the Indians ; guaran- 
teeing equal rights, mutual protection and impartial justice; pledging 
themselves most solemnly and sacredly to promote the peace, happiness 
and well being of the community, to suppress vice and punish crime. 

In this compact one of the principal elements of popular government was 
expressly set forth, viz. : the right of the people at the various stations to 
remove their representative or judge, or other officers, for misconduct or 
unfaithfulness in the discharge of their duties, and to elect others to fill 
the vacancies. "This tribunal exercised the prerogatives of government 
to their fullest extent, with the exception of the infliction of capital pun- 
ishment. They called out the militia of the stations to 'repel or pursue 
the enemy;' impressed horses for such service as the public exigency 
might demand ; levied fines, payable in money or provisions ; adjudicated 
causes; fintered up judgments and awarded executions; granted letters of 
administration upon estates of deceased persons, taking bonds 'payable to 
Col. James Robertson, chairman of committee,' " etc. 

Following are the articles of agreement, or compact of government, 
entered into by the settlers on the Cumberland River May 1, 1780. The 
first page is lost and the second torn and defaced, but there can be read 
distinctly as follows, supplying in brackets lost words: 

* * property of right shall be determined as soon [as] conveniently may be in 
the following manner: The free men of this country over the age [of twenty] one years 
shall immediately, or as soon as may [be convenient], proceed to elect or choose twelve con- 
scientious and [deserving] persons from or out of the different sections, that is [to] say: 
From Nashborough, three; Mansker's.two; Bledsoe's, one; Asher's, one; Stone's River, one; 
Freeland's, one; Eaton's, two; Foj^t Union, one. Which said persons, or a majority of 
them, after being bound by the solemnity of an oath, to do equal and impartial justice be- 
tween all contending parties, according to their best skill and judgment, having due regard 
to the regulations of the land office herein established, shall be competent judges of the 
matter, and * * hearing the allegations of both parties and [their] witnesses as to 
the facts alleged or otherwise * * as to the truth of the case, shall have [power] to 



. HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 185 

decide controversies, and determine who is of right entitled to an entry for such land so in 
dispute, when said determination or decision shall be forever binding against the future 
claim of the party against whom such judgment [shall be rendered]. And the entry taker 
shall make a [record thereof] in his book accordingly, and the entry * * tending 
party so cast shall be * * * if it had never been made, and the land in dispute 

* * * to the person in whose favor such judgment shall * * * * in case 
of the death, removal, or absence of any of the judges so to be chosen, or their refusing to 
act, the station to which such person or persons belong, or was chosen from, shall proceed 
to elect another, or others, in his or their stead, which person, or persons, so chosen, after 
being sworn, as aforesaid, to do equal and impartial justice, shall have full power and au- 
thority to proceed to business, and act in all disputes respecting the premises as if they 
had been oi'iginally chosen at the first election. 

That the entry book shall be kept fair and open by * * person * * to be 
appointed by said Richard Henderson * * * chose, and every entry for land num- 
bered and dated, and * * * order without leaving any blank leaves or spaces 

* * * to the inspection of the said twelve judges, or * * of them at all times. 
That many persons have come to this country without implements of husbandry, and 

from other circumstances are obliged to return without making a crop, and [intend] re? 
moving out this fall, or early next spring, and it * * reason * * such should 
have the pre-emption * * * of sucli places as they may have chosen. * * the 
purpose of residence, therefore it is * * * be taken for all such, for as much 
land as they are entitled to from their head-rights, which said lands shall be reserved for 
the particular person in whose name they shall be entered, or their heirs, provided such 
persons shall remove to this country and take possession of the respective place or piece of 
land so chosen or entered, or shall send a laborer, or laborers, and a white person in his or 
her stead to perform the same, on or before the first day of May, in the year one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty-one; and also provided such land so chosen and entered for is 
not entered and claimed by some person who is an inhabitant, and shall raise a crop of 
corn the present year at some station or place convenient to the general settlement in this 
country. But it is fully to be understood that those who are actually at this time inhab- 
itants of this country shall not be debarred of their choice or claim on account of the right 
of any such absent or returning person or persons. It is further proposed and agreed that 
no claim or title to any lands whatsoever shall be set up by any person in consequence of 
any mark or former improvement, imless the same be entered with the entry taker within 
twenty daj's from the date of this association and agreement; and that when any person 
hereafter shall mark or improve land or lands for himself, such mark or improvement shall 
not avail him or be deemed an evidence of prior right, unless the same be entered with the 
entry taker in thirty days * * from the time of such mark or improvement, but no 
other person shall be entitled to such lands so as aforesaid to be reserved * * conse- 
quence of any purchase gift, or otherwise. 

That if the entry taker to be appointed shall neglect or refuse to perform his duty, 
or be found by said judges, or a majority of them, to have acted fraudulently, to the prej- 
udice of any person whatsoever, such entry taker shall be immediately removed from his 
office, and the book taken out of his possession b}' the said judges, until another be ap- 
pointed to act in his room. 

That as often as the people in general are dissatisfied with the doings of the judges 
or triers so to be chosen, they may call a new election at any of the said stations and eleqt 
others in their stead, having due respect to the number now to be elected at each station, 
which persons so to be chosen shall have the same power with those in whose room or 
place they shall or may be chosen to act. 

That as no consideration money for the lands on Cumberland River, within the 
claim of the said Richard Henderson and Company, and which is the subject of this asso- 
ciation, is demanded or expected by the said company, until a satisfactory and indisputa- 
ble title can be made, so we think it reasonable and just that the £36, 13s. 4d. current 
money per hundred acres, the price proposed by the said Richard Henderson, shall be 



186 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

paid according to the value of money on tlie first day of January last, being the time 
when the price was made public, and settlement encouraged thereon by said Henderson, 
and the said Richard Henderson on his part does liereby agree that in case of the rise or 
appreciation of money from that * * * an abatement shall be made in the 
sum according to its raised or appreciated value. 

That where any person shall remove to this country with intent to become an in- 
habitant and depart this life, either by violence or in the natural way, before he shall 
have performed the requisites necessary to obtain lands, the child or children of such de- 
ceased person shall be entitled, in his or her room, to such quantity of land as such person 
would have been entitled to in case he or she had lived to obtain a grant in their own 
name; and if such death be occasioned by the Indians the said Henderson doth promise 
and agree that the child or children shall have as much as amounts to their head-rights 
gratis, surveyor's and other incidental fees excepted. 

And Whereas, from our remote situation and want of proper offices for the admin- 
istration of justice, no regular proceedings at law can be had for the punishment of of- 
fenses and attainment of right, it is therefore agreed that until we can be relieved by 
Government from the many evils and inconveniences arising therefrom, the judges or 
triers to be appointed as before directed when qualified shall be and are hereby declared 
a proper court or jurisdiction for the recovery of any debt or damages; or where the cause 
of action or complaint has arisen, or hereafter shall commence for anything done or to be 
done among ourselves, within this our settlement on Cumberland aforesaid, or in our pas- 
sage hither, where the laws of our country could not be executed, or damages repaired in any 
other way; that is to say, in all cases where the debt or damages or demand docs or shall 
not exceed one hundred dollars, any three of the said judges or triers shall be competent to 
make a court, andfinally decide the matter in controvers}'; butif for a larger sum, and either 
party shall be dissatisfied with the judgment or decision of such court, they may have an 
appeal to the whole twelve judges or triers, in which case nine members shall be deemed 
a full court, whose decision, if seven agree in one opinion, the matter in dispute shall be 
final, and their judgment carried into execution in such ,manner, and by such person or 
persons as they may appoint, and the said courts, respectively, shall have full power to 
tax such costs as they may think just and reasonable, to be levied and collected with the 
debt or damages so to be awarded. , 

And it is further agreed that a majority of said judges, or triers, or general arbitra- 
tors shall have power to punish in their discretion, having respect to the laws of our coun- 
try, all offenses against the peace, misdemeanors, and those criminal or of a capital nature 
provided such court does not proceed with execution so far as to affect life or member; 
and in case any should be brought before them whose crime is or shall be dangerous to 
the State, or for which the benefit of clergy is taken away by law, and sufficient evidence 
or proof of the fact or facts can probably be made, such courts, or a majority of the mem- 
bers, shall and may order and direct him, her, or them to be safely bound and sent under 
a strong guard to the place where the offense was or shall be committed, or where legal 
trial of such offense can be had, which shall accordingly be done, and the reasonable ex- 
pense attending the discharge of this duty ascertained by the court, and paid by the in- 
habitants in such proportion as shall be hereafter agreed on for that purpose. 

That as this settlement is in its infancy, unknown to government, and not included 
in any county within North Carolina, the State to which it belongs, so as to derive the 
advantages of those wholesome and salutary laws for the protection and benefits of its cit- 
izens, we find ourselves constrained from necessity to adopt this temporary method of 
restraining the licentious, and supplying, by unanimous consent, the blessings flowing 
from a just and equitable government, declaring and promising that no action or com- 
plaint shall be hereafter instituted or lodged in any court of record within this State or 
elsewhere, for anything done or to be done in consequence of the proceedings of the said 
judges or general arbitrators so to be chosen and established by this our association. 

That the well-being of this country entirely depends, under Divine Providence, on 
unanimity of sentiment and concurrence in measures, and as clashing interests and opin- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 187 

ions without being under some restraint will most certainly produce confusion, discord 
and almost certain ruin, so we think it our duty to associate and hereby form ourselves 
into one society for the benefit of present and future settlers, and until the full and proper 
exercise of the laws of our country can be in use, and the powers of government exerted 
among us, we do solemnly and sacredly declare and promise each other that we will faith- 
fully and punctually adhere to, perform and abide by this our association, and at all times, 
if need be, compel by our united force a due obedience to these our rules and regulations. 
In testimony whereof wo have hereunto subscribed our names, in token of our entire 
approbation of the measures adopted. 

The following additional resolutions were adopted and entered into at 
Nashborough, May 31, 1780: 

That all j^oung men over the age of sixteen years, and able to perform militia duty, 
shall be considered as having a full right to enter for and obtain lands in their own names 
as if they were of full age; and in that case not be reckoned in the family of his father, 
mother or master so as to avail them of any land on their account. 

That when any person shall mark or improve land or Jands, with intent to set up a 
claim thereto, such person shall write or mark in legible characters the initial letters of 
his name at least, together with the day of the month and year an which he marked or 
improved the same at the spring or most notorious part of the land, on some convenient 
tree or other durable substance, in order to notify his intention to all such as may inquire 
or examine; and in case of dispute with respect to priority of right, proof of such trans- 
action shall be made by the oath of some indifferent witness, or no advantage or benefit 
shall be derived from such mark or improvement; and in all cases where priority of mark 
or occupancy cannot be ascertained according to the regulations and prescriptions herein 
proposed and agreed to, the oldest or first entry in the office to be opened in consequence 
of this association shall have the preference, and the lands granted accordingly. 

It is further proposed and agreed that the entry office shall be opened at Nash- 
borough on Friday, the 19th of May, instant, and kept from thenceforward at the same 
place unless otherwise directed by any future convention of the people in general or their 
representatives. 

That the entry taker shall and may demand and receive twelve dollars for each entry 
to be made in his book, in manner before directed, and shall give a certificate thereof if 
required; and also may take the same fee for every caveat or counter-claim to any lands 
before entered; and in all cases where a caveat is to be tried in manner before directed, 
the entry book shall be laid before the said committee of judges, triers, or general arbi- 
trators, for their inspection and information, and their judgment upon the matter in dis- 
pute fairly entered as before directed; which said court or committee is also to keep a 
fair and distinct journal or minutes of all their proceedings, as well with respect to lands 
as other matters which may come before them in consequence of these our resolutions. 

It is also firmly agreed and resolved that no person shall be admitted to make an entry 
for any lands with the said entry taker, or permitted to hold the same, unless such person 
shall subscribe his name and conform to this our Association, Confederacy and General 
Government, unless it be for persons who have returned home, and are permitted to have 
lands reserved for their use until the first day of May next, in which case entries may be 
made for such absent persons according to the true meaning of this writing, without their 
personal presence, but shall become utterly void if the particular person or persons for 
whom such entry shall be made should refuse or neglect to perform the same as soon as 
conveniently may be after their return, and before the said first day of May, 1781. 

Whereas, The frequent and dangerous incursions of the Indians and almost daily mas- 
sacre of some of our inhabitants renders it absolutely necessary for our safety and defense 
that due obedience be paid to our respective officers elected and to be elected at the sev- 
eral stations or settlements to take command of the men or militia at such fort or station. 

It is further agreed and resolved that when it shall be adjudged necessary and expe 
dient by such commanding officer to draw out the militia of any fort or station to pursue 



188 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

or repulse the enemy, the said officer shall have power to call out such and so many of his 
men as he may judge necessary, and in case of disobedience may inflict such fine as he in 
his discretion shall think just and reasonable, and also may impress the horse or horses of 
any person or persons whomsoever, which, if lost or damaged in such service, shall be 
paid for by the inhabitants of such fort or station in such manner and such proportion as 
the Committee hereby appointed, or a majority of them, shall direct and order; but if any 
person shall be aggrieved, or think himself unjustly vexed and injured by the fine or fines 
so imposed bj^his officer or officers, such person may appeal to the said Judges or Com- 
mittee of General Arbitrators, who, or a majority of them, shall have power to examine 
the matter fully and make such order therein as they may think just and reasonable, 
which decision shall be conclusive on the party complaining as well as the officer or officers 
inflicting such fine; and the money arising from such fines shall be carefully applied for 
the benefit of such fort or station in such manner as the said Arbitrators shall hereafter 
direct. 

It is lastly agreed and firmly resolved that a dutiful and humble address or petition be 
presented by some person or persons to be chosen by the inhabitants, to the General As- 
sembly, giving the fullest assurance of the fidelity and attachment to the interest of our 
country and obedience to the laws and Constitution thereof; setting forth that we are 
confident our settlement; is not within the boundaries of any nation or tribq of Indians, as 
some of us know and all believe that they have fairly sold and received satisfaction for 
the land or territories whereon we reside, and therefore we hope we may not be consid- 
ered as acting against the laws of our country or the mandates of government. 

That we do not desire to be exempt from the ratable share of the public expense of 
the present war, or other contingent charges of government. That we are, from our 
remote situation, utterly destitute of the benefit of the laws of our country, and exposed 
to the depredations of the Indians, without any justifiable or effectual means of embodying 
our militia, or defending ourselves against the hostile attempts of our enemy; praying and 
imploring the immediate aid and protection of government, by erecting a county to in- 
clude our settlements; appointing proper officers for the discharge of public duty; taking 
into consideration our distressed situation with respect to Indians, and granting such relief 
and assistance as in wisdom, justice and humanity may be thought reasonable. 
Nashborough, 13th May, 1780. 

To these articles of agreement 250 persons signed tlieir names, all of 
wliom could write but one, James Patrick, who made his mark. No rec- 
ords of the government of the Notables have been discovered by any his- 
torian, for the reason, doubtless, that few, if any, were made. Putnam 
to whom this, as well as other histories, is largely indebted for its account 
of this government on the Cumberland says on this point: "After the 
organization of the primitive government on May-day, 1780, down to 
January, 1783, we have no records, not even a fugitive scrap or sheet, of 
which that ready clerk, Andrew Ewin, was usually so careful. The peo- 
ple were so greatly exposed and kept in such constant alarm, some leav- 
ing, and many agitating the propriety or possibility of remaining, alll 
admitting that tlieir perils were imminent and were likely so to continue 
for an indefinite period, that we may presume there were no regular 
meetings of the judges and no regular minutes made. * * * 

"Prom our researches we conclude that immediately after the adop- 
tion of the articles, an election was held at the stations, and that then 
Robertson was chosen colonel ; Donelson, lieutenant-colonel; Lucas, major; 




VIEW ON FALLS CREEK, NEAR SMITHVILLE. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 189 

and George Freeland, Mauldin, Bledsoe and Blackmore, captains." 
How long these individuals remained in office, or wliat duties tliey per- 
formed, is not now known. But in 1783 the government was revived, 
as the following extract shows: 

North Carolina, Cumberland River, January 7, 1783 

The manifold sufferings and distresses that the settlers here have from time to time 
undergone, even almost from our first settling, with the desertion of the greater number 
of the first adventurers, being so discouraging to the remaining few that all administration 
of justice seemed to cease from amongst us, which, however weak, whether in con- 
stitution, administration or execution, yet has been construed in our favor against those 
whose malice or interest would insinuate us a people fled to a hiding place from justice, 
and the revival of them again earnestly recommended. It appears highly necessary that 
for the common weal of the whole, the securing of peace, the performance of contracts 
between man and man, together with the suppression of vice, again to revive our former 
manner of proceedings, pursuant to the plan agreed upon at our first settling here, and to 
proceed accordingly until such times as it shall please the Legislature to grant us the sal- 
utary benefits of the law duly administered amongst us by their authority. 

To this end, previous notice having been given to the several stationers to elect 
twelve men of their several stations, whom they thought most proper for the business, and 
being elected, to meet at Nashborough on the 7th day of January, 1783. 

Accordingly there met at the time and place aforesaid Col. James Robertson, Capt- 
George Freeland, Thomas MoUoy, Isaac Lindsey, David Rounsevail, Heydon Wells, -Tames 
Maulding, Ebenezer Titus, Samuel Barton and Andrew Ewin, who constituted themselves 
into a committee, for the purposes aforesaid, by voluntarily taking the following oath: 

I. , do solemnly swear that as a member of the committee, I will do equal right 

and justice, according to the best of my skill and judgment, in the decision of all causes 
that shall be laid before me without fear, favor or partiality. So help me God. 

The committee then proceeded to elect Ool. James Robertson, chair- 
man; John Montgomery, sheriff, and Andrew Ewin, clerk, and to fix the 
clerk's fees. From this time to the organization of Davidson County in 
April, 1783, the committee held meetings as occasion required, accounts 
of which will properly be introduced as a prelude to the history of that 
organization. And in this way the government of the Notables served 
its purpose and came to its end. It was wholly unlike that other anom- 
aly in government, the State of Franklin, in not aspiring to independent 
Statehood, and always looking steadily to North Carolina as the source 
of proper government for the settlers on the Cumberland. Its proceed- 
ings were frequently dated " North Carolina, Cumberland District," and 
a part of the time " Nashborough," and were continued until in August, 
after which the regular authorities of Davidson County, the act for the 
organization of which was approved October 6, 1783, assumed authorita- 
tive control of public affairs. 

THE STATE OF FEANKLIN. 

The Revolutionary war was over and independence won. The colonies 
and their dependencies were thrown entirely upon their own resources. 

12 



190 HIST^liY OF TENNESSEE. 

Society was in an unsettled, iu somewliat of a chaotic condition, but it is 
remarkable that there was very little o£ the spirit of insubordination and 
anarchy. The main reason for the universal disposition to maintain 
order was undoubtedly the financial necessities of the various colonial 
governments, as well as those of the Continental Congress. The stabil- 
ity of the individual States and of the General Government depended, in 
large measure, upon the extinguishment of the debts that had been 
created during the war of the Revolution. 

One of the expedients for improving the condition of. things resorted 
to by Congress, was its suggestion to such of the States as owned vacant 
lands to throw them together, establish a joint fund, and with this joint 
fund pay off the common debt. North Carolina owned a large amount 
of territory, extending from the Alleghany Mountains to the Mississippi 
River, and among the measures adopted by her General Assembly was the 
act of June, 1783, ceding to Congress the lands therein described. 
According to this act the authority of North Carolina was to extend over 
this territory until Congress should accept the cession. The members to 
the General Assembly, from the four western counties, Washington, Sulli- 
van, Greene and Davidson, were present and voted for the cession. 

These members perceived a disinclination on the part of the parent State 
to make proper provision for the protection of the people in the western 
province. Accounts were constantly being presented to the General 
Assembly for the defense of the frontier settlements against the Indians. 
These accounts were reluctantly received, cautiously scrutinized and 
grudgingly paid. Crimination and recrimination were mutually indulged 
in by North Carolina and her western counties, and it was even intimated 
that some of these accounts, or portions of some of them, were fabricated 
or invented. The inhabitants of these western counties, whose exposed 
situation seemed not to be appreciated and whose honor seemed thus to 
be impugned, remembering that in the Bill of Rights adopted at the same 
time with the State Constitution, a clause had been inserted authorizing 
the formation of one or more new States out of this western territory, 
and entertaining the impression that Congress would not accept the 
cession of the territory within the two year limit, and feeling that the 
new settlements included within this territory would be practically 
excluded from the protection of both North Carolina and Congress, would 
in fact be left in a state of anarchy, unable to command their own powers 
and resources, knowing that no provision had been made for the estab- 
lishment of superior courts west of the mountains, seeing that violations 
of law were permitted to pass unpunished except by the summary process 
of the regulators appointed for the purpose by the people themselves, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 191 

and perceiving also that the military organization was inadequate to the 
defense of the inhabitants, in part because there was no brigadier-general' 
authorized to call the military forces into active service, with an extensive 
frontier constantly exposed to and suffering from the ravages of the 
savages, and with numerous other considerations suggested to them by 
their anomalously exposed situation, perceived the necessity of themselves 
devising means for the extrication of themselves from the numerous, 
great and unexpected difficulties with which they found themselves sur- 
rounded. 

For the purpose of an attempt at extrication it was projwsed that each 
captain's company elect two representatives, and that these representa- 
tives assemble to deliberate upon the condition of affairs and if possible 
devise some general plan adapted to the emergency. Accordingly these 
representatives met August 23, 1783, in Jonesborough. Following are 
the names of the deputies from Washington County: John Sevier, 
Charles Robertson, William Trimble, William Cox, Landon Carter, Hugh 
Henry, Christopher Taylor, John Christian, Samuel Doak, William 
Campbell, Benjamin Holland, John Beau, Samuel Williams and Eichard 
White. Sullivan County: Joseph Martin, GiHiert^ Christian, William 
Cocke, John Manifee, William Wallace, John Hall, Samuel Wilson, 
Stockley Donelson and William Evans. Greene County: Daniel Ken- 
nedy, Alexander Outlaw, Joseph Gist, Samuel Weir, Asahel Rawlings, 
Joseph Bullard, John Managhan, John Murphey, David Campbell, 
Archibald Stone, Abraham Denton, Charles Robinson and Elisha Baker. 
Davidson County sent no delegates. 

John Sevier was chosen president of the convention, and Landon 
Carter, secretary. A committee was appointed to deliberate upon the 
condition of affairs, consisting of Cocke, Outlaw, Carter, Campbell, 
Manifee, Martin, Robinson, Houston, Christian, Kennedy and Wilson. 
After deliberation upon and discussion of the objects of the convention, 
during which the Declaration of Independence was read, and the inde- 
pendence of the three counties represented suggested, the committee 
drew up and presented a report, which was in substance as follows: That 
the committee was of the opinion that they had the right to petition Con- 
gress to accept the cession of North Carolina and to recognize them as a 
separate government; that if any contiguous part of Virginia should 
make application to join this association, after being permitted to make 
such application by Virginia, they should receive and enjoy the same 
privileges that -they themselves enjoyed, and that one or more persons 
should be sent to represent the situation of things to Congress. This 
report was adopted by the following vote : Yeas— Messrs. Terrell, Samms, 



192 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

North, Taylor, Anderson, Houston, Cox, Talbot, Joseph Wilson, Trim- 
ble, Reese, John Anderson, Manifee, Christian, Carnes, A. Taylor, Fitz- 
gerald, Cavit, Looney, Cocke, B. Gist, Rawlings, Bullard, Joshua Gist, 
Valentine Sevier, Eobinson, Evans and Managhan. Nays — John Tip- 
ton, Joseph Tipton, Stuart, Maxfield, D. Looney, Vincent, Cage, Provine, 
Gammon, Davis, Kennedy, Newman, Weir, James Wilson and Campbell. 

It is thought that the above described proceedings were had at the 
August convention of 1784, which may account for the discrepancy in 
the names of those voting as compared with those elected, as given ear- 
lier.* The plan of the association was drawn up by Messrs. Cocke and 
Hardin, and was referred next day to the convention. This plan was the 
formation of an association by the election of representatives to it, to 
send a suitable person to Congress, and to cultivate public spirit, benev- 
olence and virtue, and they pledged themselves to protect the association 
with their lives and fortunes, faith and reputation. 

It was then determined that each county should elect five members to 
a convention to adopt a constitution and form an independent State. 
This convention met in November and broke up in great confusion upon 
the plan of association, and besides some were opposed to separation 
from North Carolina. The North Carolina General Assembly was then in 
session at Newbern, and repealed the act of cession to the United States, 
appointed an assistant judge and an attorney-general for the superior 
court, directed the superior court to be held at Jonesborough and also 
organized the militia of Washington District into a brigade and ap- 
pointed John Sevier brigadier-general. Gen. Sevier expressed himself 
satisfied with the action of North Carolina, and advised the people to 
proceed no further in their determination to separate from the parent 
State, but they were not 'to be advised. Proceeding with their move- 
ment five delegates or deputies were chosen to the convention from each 
county as follows: Washi4gton County — John Sevier, William Cocke, 
_John Tipton, Thomas Stewart and Rev. Samuel Houston. Sullivan 
County — David Looney, Richard Gammon, Moses Looney, William Cage 
and John Long. Greene County — Daniel Kennedy, John Newman, 
James Roddye and Joseph Hardin. 

Upon assembling John Sevier was elected president of the conven- 
tion, and F. A. Ramsey, -secretary. Prayer was offered b}- the Rev. 
Samuel Houston. A constitution was adopted subject to the ratification 
or rejection of a future convention to be chosen by the people. This 
convention met at the appointed time and place, Greeneville, November 
14, 1784, the first legislative assembly that ever convened in Tennessee. 

♦Ramsey. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 193 

Landon Carter was speaker and Thomas Talbot clerk of the Senate; 
William Cage, speaker and Thomas Chapman, clerk of the House of 
Commons. The assembly, after being organized, elected John Sevier 
governor. A judiciary system was established, and David Campbell 
elected judge of the superior court, and Joshua Gist and John Anderson 
assistant judges. The last day of this first session was March 31, 1785. 
Numerous acts were ratified, among them one for the promotion of learn- 
ing in the county of Washington. Under the provisions of this act 
Martin Academy was founded, and Rev. Samuel Doak became its presi- 
dent. Wayne County was organized out of a part of Washington and 
Wilkes Counties. The officers of this new State, in addition to those 
mentioned above, were the following: State senator, Landon Carter; 
treasurer, William Cage; surveyor-general, Stockley Donelson; briga- 
dier-generals of the militia, Daniel Kennedy and William Cocke. Gen. 
Cocke was chosen delegate to Congress. Council of State, William Cocke, 
Landon Carter, Francis A. Ramsey, Judge Campbell, Gen. Kennedy and 
Col. Taylor. The salaries of the officers were fixed, various articles were 
made a legal tender in the payment of debts, and a treaty was made with 
the Cherokee Indians. The boundary line, according to this treaty, 
which was concluded May 31, 1785, was the ridge dividing the Little 
River and the Tennessee. 

Gov. Martin, of North Carolina, hearing of the organization of 
the State of Franklin, addressed Gov. Sevier, requesting informa- 
tion regarding the movement. In response to this request a communi- 
cation was sent to Gov. Martin, signed by Gov. John Sevier, by Landon 
Carter, speaker of the Senate, and by William Cage, speaker of the House 
of Commons, setting forth what had been done and the several reasons 
therefor. Thereupon Gov. Martin called together the Council of North 
Carolina, April 22, and convened the Legislature June 1, and on the 
same day issued an elaborate manifesto to the inhabitants in the revolted 
counties, Washington, Sullivan and Greene, hoping to reclaim them to 
their allegiance to North Carolina, and warning them of the consequences 
of their action in adhering to the State of Franklin. A few had, from 
the first, opposed the organization of the State. The repeal of the cession 
act had increased their number, but no one seemed to desire to establish 
a permanent connection with North Carolina, hence a large majority of 
the people firmly adhered to the new commonwealth. 

During the administration of Patrick Henry as governor of Virginia, 
information was communicated by him to the Legislature of that State 
as to the movement of Col. Arthur Campbell and others, who had labored 
with some success to persuade the citizens of Washington County to sever 



194 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

their connection from the old government of Virginia, and attach them- 
selves to the new State of Franklin, or to form a new one distinct from 
it. It was proposed by Col. Campbell that the limits of the new State, 
•which he was in favor of forming and naming " Frankland," should be as 
follows: " Beginning at a point on the top of the Alleghany or Appalach- 
ian Mountains, so as a line drawn due north from this point will touch 
the bank of the New Eiver, otherwise called Kanawha, at its confluence 
with Little Eiver, which is about one mile from Ingle's Ferry, down the 
said river Kanawha to the mouth of the Eencovert, or Green Briar Eiver; 
a direct line from thence to the nearest summit of the Laurel Mountains, 
and along the highest part of the same to the point where it is inter- 
cepted by the thirty-seventh degree of north latitude ; west along that lati- 
tude to a point where it is met by a meridian line that passes through the 
lower part of the Eiver Ohio ; south along the meridian to Elk Eiver, a 
branch of the Tennessee ; down said river to its mouth, and down the 
Tennessee to the most southwardly part or bend of the said river ; a direct 
line from thence to that branch of the Mobile called Tombigbee; down 
said river Tombigbee to its junction with the Coosawattee Eiver, to the 
mouth of that branch of it called the Hightower ; thence south to the top 
of the Appalachian Mountains, or the highest land that divides the sources 
of the eastern from the western waters ; northwardly along the middle of 
said heights and the top of the Appalachian Mountains to the beginning." 

The proposed form of government stated that the inhabitants Avithin 
the above limits agreed with each other to form themselves into a free 
and independent body politic or State by the name of the " Commonwealth 
of Frankland." It will be seen that the people who proposed to estab- 
lish the independent State of Frankland had affixed such boundaries to 
their proposed commonwealth as to include the State of Franklin, much 
of the territory of Virginia, and the present Kentucky, and of Georgia 
and Alabama. This magnificent project was supported by but few men, 
and was soon abandoned, even by its friends and projectors. 

The people who had revolted from North Carolina, however, continued 
to maintain their form of government, but it still remained for the people 
ill convention assembled to ratify, amend or reject the constitution pro- 
posed by a former convention. The convention met, but a complete list 
of their names has not been preserved. The following, is a partial list: 
David Campbell, Samuel Houston, John Ti])ton, John Ward, EobertLove, 
"William Cox, David Craig, James Montgomery, John Strain, Eobert 
Allison, David Looney, John Blair, James White, Samuel Menece, John 
Gilliland, James Stuart, George Maxwell, Joseph Tipton and Peter Park- 
inson. The Bill of Eights and Constitution of the State of Frankland, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 195 

were proposed for adoption, discussed and rejected by a small majority. 
The president of the convention, Gen. John Sevier, then presented the 
constitution of North Carolina as the foundation of the government for 
the new State. This constitution, modified to suit the views of the mem- 
bers of the convention, was adopted by a small majority. The names 
" Franklin," after Dr. Benjamin Franklin, of Philadelphia, and " Frank- 
land," meaning the land of freemen, were then proposed, and the name 
Franklin chosen, and the convention appointed Gen. Cocke to present the 
constitution as adopted to Congress, with a memorial applying for admis- 
sion into the Union, but he was not received and no notice was taken of 
his mission. 

The Franklin government had now got under way, and Greeneville 
became the permanent capital of the State. Four days after the Greene- 
ville Convention was held the North Carolina Legislature passed an act 
preceded by a preamble in which were recited the reasons for the organ- 
ization of the State of Franklin, that the citizens thought North Carolina 
inattentive to their welfare, had ceased to regard them as citizens, and 
had made an absolute cession of the soil and jurisdiction of the State to 
Congress. It stated that this opinion was ill-founded, that the General 
Assembly of North Carolina had been and continued to be desirous of 
extending the benefits of civil government over them, and granted par- 
don and oblivion for all that had been done, provided they would return 
to their allegiance to North Carolina. It appointed officers civil and 
military in place of those holding office under the State of Franklin, and 
empowered the voters of Washington, Sullivan and Greene Counties to 
elect representatives otherwise than by the methods then in vogue. 
Dissatisfaction with the Franklin government began to manifest itself, 
and in Washington County, George Mitchell, as sheriff, issued the fol- 
lowing notice: 

.Tilly, 19th day, 1786. 

Advertisement — I hereby give Publick Notice that there will be an election held the 
third Friday in August next at John Rennoe's near the Sickamore Sholes, where Charles 
Robinson formerly lived, to choose members to represent "Washington County in the 
General Assembly of North Carolina, agreeable to an act of Assembly in that case made 
and provided, where due attendance will be given pr me. 

George Mitchell, Sheriff. 

The election was held on Watauga River. Col. John Tipton was 
chosen senator from Washington County, and James Stuart and Bichard 
White members of the House of Commons. Their election was, and 
was generally perceived to be, ominous of the fate of the State of Frank- 
lin, and following their example many citizens enrolled their names in 
opposition to the new State. From this time resistance to its authority 
assumed a more systematic and determined form. The unusual anomaly 



196 HISTOKY OP TENNESSEE. 

was exliibited o£ two empires holding sway at one and the same time 
over the same territory. As was to be expected, the authority of the 
two frequently came in conflict with each other. The county courts of 
the one were broken up by the forces of the other and vice versa, and the 
justices of the peace turned out of doors. But the government of 
Franklin continued to exercise its authority in the seven counties con- 
stituting its sovereignty, and to defend its citizens from the encroach- 
ments of the Indians. Gen. Cocke and Judge Campbell were appointed 
commissioners to negotiate a separation from North Carolina, but not- 
withstanding their most determined and persistent efforts, the General 
Assembly of North Carolina disregarded their memorials and protests, 
and continued to make laws for the government of the people of the 
State of Franklin. Commissioners were sent to, accepted, and acted 
under, by several people in Washington, Sullivan and Hawkins Coun- 
ties as justices of the peace, and courts were held by them as if the State 
of Franklin did not exist. Difficulties between the two States continued, 
notwithstanding efforts on the part of the people to adjust them, and 
trouble with the Indians could not be avoided. Negotiations were con- 
ducted with Georgia for the purpose of securing mutual assistance. 
Gov. John Sevier was elected a member of the "Society of the Cincin- 
nati." Sevier recruited an army to co-operate with Georgia in her cam- 
paign against the Creek Indians. In 1787 there remained in the com- 
monwealth of Franklin scarcely vitality enough to confer upon it a mere 
nominal existence, the Legislature itself manifested a strong inclination 
to dismemberment, its county courts were discordant, and in fact 
attempting to exercise conflicting authority. An unpleasant clashing of 
opinion and effort to administer the laws was the necessary result. The 
county court of Washington County held its session at Davis', under 
the authority of North Carolina, while that under Franklin held its ses- 
sions at Jonesborough. John Tipton was clerk at Davis' and the fol- 
lowing extract is from his docket: 

1788, February term — Ordered, that the Sheriff take into custody the County Court 
docket of said county, supposed to be in possession of John Sevier, Esq., and the same 
records being from him or any other person or persons in whose possession they may be, 
or hereafter shall be, and the same return to this or some succeeding Court for said 
County. 

The supremacy of the new and old governments was soon after this- 
brought to a test. A scire facias was issued in the latter part of 1787 
and placed in tlie hands of the sheriff to be executed in the early part of 
1788 against the estate of Gov. John Sevier. The sheriff of North Caro- 
lina seized Gov. Sevier's negroes while he was on the frontiers of Greene 
County defending the inhabitants against the Indians. Hearing of this 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 197 

action oi; the sheriff Gov. Sevier immediately resolved to suppress all op- 
position to the government of Franklin and to punish the actors for their 
audacity. Raising 150 men he marched directly to Col. Tipton's house. 
Gov. Sevier's indignation had also been aroused by a knowledge of the 
fact that Tipton had made an attempt to take him prisoner. Upon Sevier's 
arrival before Tipton's house, which was on Sinking Creek, a branch of 
Watauga Biver, about eight or ten miles from Jonesborough, he found 
it defended by Col. Tipton and fifteen of his friends. Though he had a 
much larger force than Tipton and was in possession of a small piece of 
ordnance, his demand for an unconditional surrender w^as met with a flat 
refusal and the daring challenge "to fire and be damned." But Gov. 
Sevier could not bring himself to the point of making an attack upon 
men who were, and upon whom he looked as, his fellow citizens. Nego- 
tiations failed to effect a surrender. Gov. Tipton received large rein- 
forcements, and after the siege had been continued a few days made an 
attack upon the Governor's forces, who, after defending themselves in a 
half-hearted way for a short time, were driven off. With this defeat of 
Gov. Sevier's troops the government of Franklin practically came to an end. 
But the populace was greatly excited. Not long after this siege, which 
terminated about February 28, 1788, Bishop Francis Asbury made a 
visit to the settlements on the Watauga and held a conference, the first 
west of the mountains, about May 1, 1788. His calm dignity and un- 
pretending simplicity served to soothe and quiet and harmonize the ex- 
cited masses, and to convert partisans and factions into brothers and 
friends. 

After the termination of the siege at Tipton's, Gov. Sevier, now a 
private citizen, was engaged in defending the frontiers against the In- 
dians. As was to be expected, his conduct was represented to the Gov- 
ernor of North Carolina as embodying under the form of a colonelcy of 
an Indian expedition, still further resistance to North Carolina. The 
consequence was that Gov. Johnston issued to Judge Campbell the fol- 
lowing instructions: 

Hillsborough, 29th July, 1788. 

Sir: It has been represented to the Executive that John Sevier, who styles himself 
captain-general of the State of Franklin, has been guilty of high treason, in levying troops 
to oppose the laws and government of the State, and has with an armed force put to death 
several good citizens. If these facts shall appear to you by the affidavit of credible per- 
sons, you will issue your warrant to apprehend the said John Sevier, and in case he can 
not be sufficiently secured for trial in the District of Washington, order him to be com- 
mitted to the public gaol. 

Judge Campbell, either from unwillingness or incapacity arising 

from his past relations with Gov. Sevier, or both, failed to obey the 

order of Gov. Johnston; but Spencer, one of the judges of North Caro- 



198 • HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

lina, held a superior court at Jonesborougli in. conjunction with Camp- 
bell, and there issued the warrant against Sevier for the crime of high 
treason. After the expiration of considerable time Sevier was arrested, 
handcuffed, and taken as a prisoner to Morganton for trial, notwith- 
standing his protest against being taken away from his home and friends. 
After being in Morganton a few days, during a part of which time he 
was out on bail, a small party of men, composed of two sons of his 
(James and John Sevier), Dr. James Cozby, Maj. Evans, Jesse Greene 
and John Gibson arrived unnoticed in Morganton, having come in singly, 
and at night, at the breaking up of the court which was then in session, 
pushed forward toward the mountains with the Governor with the great- 
est rapidity, and before morning were there and far beyond pursuit. 
This rescue, so gallantly made, was both witnessed and connived at by 
citizens of Burke County, of which Morganton was the county seat, 
many of whom were friends of Sevier, and although sensible that he had 
been guilty of a technical violation of the law, were yet unwilling to see 
him suffer the penalty attached by the law to such violation. ' His cap- 
ture and brief expatriation only served to heighten, among the citizens of 
the late State of Franklin whom he had served so long and so well, their 
appreciation of his services, and to deepen the conviction of his claims 
to their esteem and confidence, and when the General Assembly, which 
met at Fayetteville November 21, 1788, extended the act of pardon to 
all who had taken part in the Franklin revolt except John Sevier, who 
was debarred from the enjoyment of any office of profit, of honor or trust 
in the State of North Carolina, this exception was seen to be at variance 
with the wishes of the people, and at the annual election in August of 
the next year the people of Greene County elected John Sevier to repre- 
sent them in the Senate of North Carolina. At the appointed time, No- 
vember 2, 1789, he was at Fayetteville, but on account of disabilities did 
not attempt to take his seat until after waiting a few days, during which 
time the Legislature repealed the clause above mentioned which debarred 
him from office. During the session he was reinstated as brigader-gen- 
eral for the western counties. In apportioning the representatives to 
Congress from North Carolina the General Assembly divided the State 
into four Congressional Districts, the westernmost of which comprising 
all the territory west of the mountains. From this district John Sevier 
was elected, and was thus the first member of Congress from the great 
Mississippi Valley. He took his seat Wednesday, June 16, 1790. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 199 



CHAPTER VII. / 

Organization Concluded— Congressional Action for the Disposal of Un- 
appropriated Lands— The Cession Act of North Carolina— The Ac- 
ceptance BY Congress— The Deed — Act for the Governiment of the 
Territory— Offices and Commissions— Gubernatorial Acts and Poli- 
cies—The Spanish and the Indian Questions — Establishment of Coun- 
ties—The Territorial Assembly— The Early La^\'s and Taxes— Offi- 
cial Documents— Statistics— The First Constitutional Convention — 
Debate of Forms and Provisions— The Bill of Rights— Real Estate 
Taxation— Official Qualifications— Other Constitutional Measures 
— Formation of the State Government — The State Assembly — John 
Sevier, Governor — Legislative Proceedings— Establishment of Courts 
— The Second Constitutional Convention— Alterations, etc. — Amend- 
ments Before and Soon After the Civil War— The Present Constitu- 
tion—Its General Character and "Worth. 

AS was stated under the history of the State of Franklin, it was not 
long after the dissolution of that organization before it became 
necessary that separation should occur between North Carolina and her 
western territory. And this separation was effected by the passage by 
the mother State of her second cession act, dated December, 1789. This 
cession was in accordance with the following resolution adopted by the 
Congress of the United States, October 10, 1780: 

Resolved: That'the unappropriated lands that may be ceded or relinquished to the 
United States by any particular State, pursuant to the recommendation of Congress of the 
6th day of September last, shall be disposed of for the common benefit of the United States 
and be settled and formed into distinct republican States, which shall become members of 
the Federal Union and have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom and independence as 
the other States; that each State which shall be so formed shall contain a suitable extent 
of territory, not less than one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty miles square, 
or as near thereto as circumstances will admit; that the necessar}^ and reasonable expenses 
which any particular State shall have incurred since the commencement of the present 
war, in subduing any British posts or in maintaining forts or garrisons within, and for 
the defense, or in acquiring any part of the territory that may be ceded or relinquished to 
the United States, shall be reimbursed; that the said lands shall be granted or settled at 
such times and under such regulations as shall hereafter be agreed on by the United 
States in Congress assembled, or any nine or more of them. — Journals of Congress, October 
10, 1780. 

The cession act of North Carolina was in the following language: 

Whereas, the United States in Congress assembled, have repeatedly and earnestly 
recommended to the respective States in the Union, claiming or owning vacant western 
territory, to make cession of part of the same as a further means, as well of hastening the 
extinguishment of the debts, as of establishing the harmony of the United States; and the 



200 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

inhabitants of the said western territory being also desirous that such cession should be 
made, in order to obtain a more ample protection than they have heretofore received; 

Nolo, this State, being ever desirous of doing ample justice to the public creditors, as 
well as the establishing the harmony of the United States, and complying with the rea- 
sonable desires of lier citizens: 

Be it enacted by the Oeneral Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby 
enacted by the authority of the same. That the senators of this State, in the Congress of 
the United States, or one of the senators and any two of the representatives of this State, 
in the Congress of the United States, are hereby authorized, empowered and required to 
execute a deed or deeds on the part and behalf of this State, conveying to the United 
States of America all right, title and claim which this State has to the sovereignty and 
territory of the lands situated within the chartered limits of this State west of a line be- 
ginning on the extreme height of the Stone Mountain, at a place where the Virginia line 
intersects it; running thence along the extreme height of the said mountain to the place 
where Watauga River breaks through it; thence a direct course to the top of the Yellow 
Mountain, where Bright's road crosses the same; thence along the ridge of said mountain 
between the waters of Doe River and the waters of Rock Creek to the place where the 
road crosses the Iron Mountain; from thence along the extreme height of said mountain 
to where Nolichucky River runs through the same; thence to the top of the Bald Mountain; 
thence along the extreme height of the said mountain to the Painted Rock on French 
Broad River; thence along the highest ridge of the said mountain to the place where it 
is called the Great Iron or Smoky Mountain; thence along the extreme height of the said 
mountain to the place where it is called Unicoy or Unaka Mountain, between tlie Indian 
towns of Cowee and Old Chota; thence along the main ridge of the said mountain to the 
southern boundary of this State; upon the following express conditions and subject there- 
to: TJiat is to say: 

First. That neither the lands nor the inhabitants westward of the said mountain 
shall bo estimated after the cession made by virtue of this act shall be accepted, in the as- 
certaining the proportion of this State with the United States in the common expense 
occasioned by the late war. 

Secondly. That the lands laid off or directed to be laid off by an act or acts of the 
General Assembly of this State for the officers and soldiers thereof, their heirs and assigns, 
respectively, shall be and inure to the use and benefit of the said officers, their heirs and 
assigns, respectively; and if the bounds of the lands already prescribed for the officers and 
soldiers of tlie continental line of this State sliall not contain a sufficient quantity of land 
fit for cultivation, to make good tlie .several provisions intended by law, that such officer or 
soldier or his assignee, who shall fall short of his allotment or proportion after all the 
lands fit for cultivation within the said bounds are appropriated, be permitted to take his 
quota, or such part thereof as may be deficient, in any other part of the said territory in- 
tended to be ceded by virtue of this act, not already appropriated. And where entries 
have been made agreeable to law, and titles under them not perfected by grant or other- 
wise, then, and in that case, the governor for the time being shall, and he is hereby required 
to perfect, from time to time, such titles, in such manner as if this act had never been 
passed. And that all entries made by, or grants made to, all and every person or persons 
•y^atsoever agreeable to law and within the limits hereby intended to be ceded to the 
IpHk States, shall have the*same force and effect as if such cession had not been made; 
a]|^Uiui. all and every right of occupancy and pre-emption and every other right reserved 
by^iiny act or acts to persons settled on and occupying lands within the limits of the lands 
hereby intended to be ceded as aforesaid, shall continue to be in full force in the same 
manner as if the cession had not been made, and as conditions upon which the said lands 
are ceded to the United States. And further, it shall be understood that if any person or 
persons shall have by virtue of the act entitled "An act for opening the land office for the 
redemption of specie and other certificates and discharging the arrears due to the army," 
passed in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, made his or their entry 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 201 

in the office usually called John Armstrong's office and located the same to any spot or 
piece of ground on which any other person or persons shall have previously located any 
entry or entries, and then, and in that case, the person or persons having made such entry 
or entries, or their assignee or assignees, shall have leave, and be at full liberty to remove 
the location of such entry or entries, to any land on which no entry has been specially 
located or on any vacant lands included within the limits of the lands hereby intended to 
he ceded: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall extend, or be construed to ex- 
tend, to the making good of any entry or entries, or any grant or grants heretofore de- 
clared void, by any act or acts of the General Assembly of this State. 

Thirdly. That all the lands intended to be ceded by virtue of this act to the United 
States of America, and not appropriated as before mentioned, shall be considered as a 
common fund for the use and benefit of the United States of America, North Carolina in- 
clusive, according to their respective and usual proportion in the general charge and ex- 
penditure, and shall be faithfully disposed of for that purpose and for no other use or 
purpose whatever. 

Fourthly. That the territory so ceded shall be laid out and formed into a State or 
States,* containing a suitable extent of territory, the inhabitants of which shall enjoy all 
the privileges, benefits and advantages set forth in the ordinance of the late Congress for 
the government of the Western Territory of the United States; that is to say: Whenever 
the Congress of the United States shall cause to be officially transmitted to the executive 
authority of this State, an authenticated copy of the act to be passed b}' the Congress of 
the United States accepting the cession of territory made by virtue of this act under the 
express conditions hereby specified, the said Congress shall at the same time, assume the 
government of the said ceded territory, which they shall execute in a similar manner f to 
that which they support in the territory west of the Ohio; shall protect the inhabitants 
against enemies and shall never bar nor deprive them of any privileges which the people 
in the territory west of the Ohio enjoy: Provided always, that no regulations made or to 
be made by Congress shall tend to emancipate slaves. 

Fifthly. That the inhabitants of the said ceded territory shall be liable to pay such 
sums of money as may, from taking their census, be their just proportion of the debt of 
the United States, and the arrears of the requisitions of Congress on this State. 

Sixthly. That all persons indebted to this State residing in the territory intended to 
be ceded by virtue of this act shall be held and deemed liable to pay such debt or debts in 
the same manner, and under the same penalty or penalties, as if this act had never been 
passed. 

Seventldy. That if the Congress of the United States do not accept the cession 
hereby intended to be made, in due form, and give official notice thereof to the executive 
of this State, within eighteen months from the passing of this act, then this act shall be 
of no force or effect whatsoever. 

Eighthly. That the laws in force and use in the State of North Carolina, at the time 
of passing this act shall be, and continue, in full force within the territory hereby ceded 
until the same shall be repealed or otherwise altered by the Legislative authority of the 
said territory. 

Ninthlj^ That the lands of non-resident proprietors within the said ceded territory 
shall not be taxed higher than the lands of residents. .^ 

Tenthly. That this act shall not prevent the people now residing south (^^Hjk ^ 
Broad, between the rivers Tennessee and Big Pigeon, from entering their pre-enipsio^ in 
that tract should an office be opened for that purpose under an act of the present Gen'feral 
Assembly. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That the sovereignty and 
jurisdiction of this State, in and over the territory aforesaid, and all anif every inhabitant 

* See Act of Congress of June 1, 1796, post; also resolution of Congress of October 10, 1780, ante. 

f The " manner" of government here referred to is fully set forth in "An Ordinance for the Government 
of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Kiver Ohio," passed July 13, 1787. The "Territory of 
the United States south of the River Ohio " was, for the purpose of temporary government, declared to be one 
district by an act of Congress approved May 26, 1790. 



202 ' HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

thereof, shall be, and remain, the same, in all respects, until the Congress of the United 
States shall accept the cession to be made by virtue of this act, as if this act had never 
passed. 

Read three times, and ratified in General Assembly the day of December, A. D. 

1789. Chas. Johnson, Sp. Sen. 

S. Cabarrus, Sp. H. C. 

Upon the presentation of this cession act to Congress, that body passed 
the following act accepting the cession: 

AN ACT TO ACCEPT A CESSION OF THE CLAIMS OP THE STATE OP NORTH CAROLINA TO A 
CERTAIN DISTRICT OP Vi^ESTERN TERRITORY. 

A deed of cession having been executed, and, in the Senate, offered for acceptance to 
the United States, of the claims of the State of North Carolina to a district or territory 
therein described, which deed is in the words following, viz. : 
To all who shall see these Presents. 

We, the underwritten Samuel Johnston and Benjamin Hawkins, Senators in the Con- 
gress of the United States of America, duly and constitutionally chosen by the Legislature 
of the State of North Carolina, send greeting. 

Whereas, The General Assembly of the State of North Carolina on the day of 

December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, passed 
an act entitled "an act for the purpose of ceding to the United States of America certain 
western lands therein described," in the words following, to wit: 

(Here was recited the cession act of North Carolina.) 

Now, therefore, know ye, That we, Samuel Johnston and Benjamin Hawkins, Sen- 
ators aforesaid, by virtue of the power and authority committed to us by the said act, and 
in the name, and for and on behalf of the said State, do, by these presents, convey, assign, 
transfer and set over, unto the United States of America, for the benefit of the said States, 
North Carolina inclusive, all right, title and claim which the said State hath to the sover- 
eignty and territory of the lands situated within the chartered limits of the said State, as 
bounded and described in the above recited act of the General Assembly, to and for the 
use and purposes, and on the conditions mentioned in the said act. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and afllxed 
our seals in the Senate chamber at New York, this twenty-fifth day of Febru- 
ary, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninet3^ ^^d in 
the fourteenth year of the independence of the United States of America. 
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of 

Sam. a. Otis Sam. Johnston, 

Benjamin Hawkins. 
The following act was then passed by Congress: 

Be it enacted bij the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of Amer- 
ica in Congress assembled, That the said deed be, and the same is hereby accepted. 

Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
John Adams, 
Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate. 
Approved April the 2d, 1790. 

George Washington, 

President of the United States. 

The cession thus being accepted and approved, Congress soon after- 
ward passed a law for the government of the new acquisition. This law 
"was in the following language: 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 203 

AN ACT FOR THE GOVERNMENT OP THE TERRITORY OP THE UNITED STATES, SOUTH OP THE 
RIVER OHIO. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
State of America in Congress assembled, That the territory of the United States south of 
the river Ohio, for the purposes of temporary government, shall be one district, the inhab- 
itants of whicli shall enjoy all the privileges, benefits and advantages, set forth in the 
ordinance of the late Congress for the government of the territory of the United States 
northwest of the river the Ohio. And the government of the said territory south of the Ohio, 
shall be similar to that which is now exercised in the territory northwest of the Ohio, 
except so far as is otherwise provided in the conditions expressed in an act of Congress 
of the present session entitled: "An act to accept a cession of the claims of the State of 
North Carolina to a cfertain district of western territory." 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That the salaries of the officers, which the Pres- 
ident of the United States shall nominate, and with the advice and consent of the Senate 
appoint, by virtue of this act shall be the same as those, by law established of similar offi- 
cers in the government northwest of the river Ohio. And the powers, duties and emol- 
uments of a superintendent of Indian affairs for the Southern Department shall be united 
with those of the Governor. 

Approved May 26, 1790. 

Congress having thus made provision for the government of the ter- 
ritory, the duty devolved upon President George Washington to appoint 
suitable officers to carry the government of the new territory into oper- 
ation. As is usual in such cases, there were several gentlemen of 
acknowledged capacity and worth of character, who through their friends 
were candidates for the office of governor. Mr. Mason of Virginia was pre- 
sented to the President by Patrick Henry. But the representatives in the 
North Carolina General Assembly from Washington and Mero Districts, 
had frequently met in the Assembly a North Carolina gentleman, kindly 
and sociable indisposition, of graceful and accomplished manner, business- 
like in his habits, and of extensive information respecting Indian affairs, 
and, who in addition to these qualifications had manifested many proofs 
of sympathy and interest for the pioneers of the territory now needing 
an executive head. This gentleman was William Blount, and besides his 
eminent fitness for the position ; there was an evident propriety in select- 
ing the governor from the State, by which the territory had been ceded 
to the United States. President Washington, recognizing the validity 
and force of these considerations, issued to him a commission as gov- 
ernor, which he received August 7, 1790. On the 10th of October follow- 
ing. Gov. Blount reached the scene of his new and important public 
duties on the frontier, and took up his residence at the house of Willjam 
Cobb, near Washington Court House, in the fork of Holston and Watauga 
Kivers, and not far from Watauga Old Fields. Mr. Cobb was a wealthy 
farmer, an emigrant from North Carolina, and was no stranger to com- 
fort, taste nor style. He entertained elegantly, and kept horses, dogs, 
rifles and even traps for the comfort and amusement of his guests. Thus 



\y 



204 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

surrounded, Gov. Blount held his first court. The President had ap- 
pointed as judges in the Territorial Go^'ernment David Campbell and 
Joseph Anderson. David Campbell will be remembered as having held 
a similar position under the State of Franklin, and subsequently under 
the appointment of North Carolina. Joseph Anderson had been an offi- 
cer in the Continental service during the Revolutionary war. Gov. 
Blount appointed Daniel Smith Secretary of the Territorial Government, 
and also the civil and military officers for the counties forming the dis- 
trict of Washington. The oath of office was administered to these ap- 
pointees by Judge Campbell. The following are the names of some of 
the officers: Washington County, November term, 1790 — magistrates, 
Charles Robertson, John Campbell, Edmond Williams and John Chis- 
holm; clerk, James Sevier. Greene County, February term, 1791— 
magistrates, Joseph Hardin, John Newman, William Wilson, John Mc- 
Nabb and David Rankin; clerk, David Kennedy. David Allison and 
William Cocke were admitted to the bar. Hawkins County, December 
term, 1790, clerk, Richard Mitchell. 

The private secretaries of the Governor were Willie Blount, his half- 
brother, afterward governor, and Hugh Lawson White, afterward Judge 
White, and candidate for the presidency of the United States. Having 
commissioned the necessary officers for the counties of Washington Dis- 
trict, Gov. Blount set out for Mero District on the 27th of November. 
Mero District was composed of Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee Coun- 
ties. Davidson County — John Donelson, justice of the peace, and Samp- 
son AVilliams was appointed sheriff, and upon the presentation of his com- 
mission from the governor, was appointed by the court. Sumner County: 
Benjamin Menees was appointed justice of the peace, his commission be- 
ing dated December 15, 1790, as were also George Bell, John Philips 
and Martin Duncan. Anthony Crutcher was appointed clerk, and James 
Boyd sheriff. At the April term, 1791, John Montgomery produced 
his commission from Gov. Blount as justice of the peace. In all the 
counties the Governor had appointed military officers below the rank of 
brigadier-general. These he was not authorized to appoint, but recom- 
mended for appointment Col. John Sevier for Washington District, 
and Col. James Robertson for Mero District. These commissions were 
issued in February, 1791. Following is the commission of John Don- 
elson : 

"William Blount, Governor in and over the Territory op the United States of 

America ^outii of the River Ohio. 
To nil who shall see these Presents, Greeting: 

Know ye that I do appoint John Douelson, Esq., of the County of Davidson in the 
said Territory, a Justice of the Peace for the said County, and do authorize and empower 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 205 

him to execute and fulfill the duties of that office according to law, and to have and to 
hold the said office during his good Behavior, or during the existence of the Temporary 
Government of said Territory, with all the powers, authorities and privileges to the same 
of right appertaining. 

Given under my hand and seal in the said Territory, this 15th day of December, 1790. 
By the Governor: William Blotjnt. 

Danikl Smith. 

In his tour through the territory, Gov. Blount endeavored to famil- 
iarize himself with the condition and necessities of the inhabitants, with 
tiie view of becoming better prepared to discharge his official duties. His 
position was by no means a sinecure, for, besides the ordinary duties of 
his gubernatorial office, he was obliged to perform those pertaining to 
that of superintendent of Indian affairs, having been also appointed to 
that position on account of his long familiarity with the Indian tribes, 
with whom the people of his territory were necessarily immediately in 
contact. It was and is believed that no man could have been selected 
better qualified than he to reconcile the two classes of citizens more or 
less estranged by the setting up, continuing in existence and dissolution 
of the anomalous government of the State of Franklin, and to regulate 
affairs between the people of the territory, the Indians, and the govern- 
ment of the United States. His superintendency of Indian affairs in- 
cluded the four southern tribes — the Creeks, the Cherokees, the Chicka- 
saws and Choctaws. All of these tribes either resided within or claimed 
hunting grounds within his own territory, and the collisions continually 
occurring between some of these Indians and the settlers caused a con- 
stant complaint to be addressed to the Governor for redress or mitigation. 
One reason of these conflicts was, that in all of the tribes there wei'e sev- 
eral distinct parties swayed by opposing influences and motives. Some 
adhered and favored adherence to the United States; others adhered to 
the Spanish authorities, who still held possessions with military and trad- 
ing posts in Florida, and also similar posts within the limits of the United 
States east of the Mississippi. The Spaniards, notwithstanding treaties 
of peace and professions of friendship, by artful persuasions and tawdry 
presents, incited and inflamed the savages to robbery, pillage and mur- 
der. To reconcile all these animosities, and to protect the people from 
their naturally injurious effects, frequent conferences and an extensive 
correspondence were required, as also was required a high degree of ad- 
ministrative and diplomatic ability. The difficulties of his position were 
enhanced by the policy of the Government of the United States, which 
was to avoid offensive measures, and rely upon conciliation and defense 
with the view of the establishment of peace between the various Indian 
tribes and the settlements, and the neutralization of the influence of the 

13 



206 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Spaniards. Under these circumstances, Gov. Blount found it imj)ossible 
to afPord protection to settlers upon the frontier, aggressions upon whom 
were numerous and of several years' continuance. The settlers them- 
selves, whose property was being destroyed and whose friends and rela- 
tives were being barbarously murdered, could not appreciate this inof- 
fensive policy, but burned with the desire to retaliate in kind upon their 
savage foe, and, as was perfectly natural, heaped upon the head of Gov. 
Blount unstinted censure. Neither were they any better satisfied with 
the treaty concluded August 17, 1790, between the Government of the 
United States and the Creek nation of Indians, by which a large territory 
was restored to that nation. The treaties, however, were not observed by 
the Indians, and, consequently, not by the white people, who complained 
against the Governor for not adopting vigorous measures of offense. The 
Indians complained that such measures were adopted, and the United 
States Government complained that the expense of protecting the frontier 
accumulated so rapidly. Thus Gov. Blount was the center of a steady 
fire of complaint from at least three different sources. But like the mar- 
tyrs of old, the Governor bore these complaints with equanimity, and at 
length the people, ascertaining that the fault was not with him, withdrew 
their complaints, and very generally sustained his authority. 

Besides difficulties with the Indians the duty devolved upon the Gov- 
ernor of preventing the settlement by the Tennessee Company of their 
immense purchase in the Great Bend of the Tennessee River, which was 
at length effectually prevented by the State of Georgia annulling the 
sale. He had also to raise a force of 332 men in the district of Wash- 
ington for service under Gen. St. Clair at Fort Washington. These 
duties, however, he was obliged to permit to fall on Gen. Sevier, his own 
time being so fully engrossed with his Indian superintendency, in which 
capacity he made a treaty with the Cherokees on the Holston July 2, 
1791. Indian hostilities, however, continued, notwithstanding the treaty 
of Holston, and numerous people were killed for a number of years. 
During the next year the Governor held another conference with the In- 
dians, this time at Nashville with the Chickasaws and Choctaws, and in 
company with Gen. Pickens, who attended the conference at the request 
of the Secrerary of War. There was a large delegation of chiefs in 
attendance; goods were distributed among them, which gave renewed 
assurances of peace. A brief account of this conference was written by 
the Governor to the Secretary of War under date of August 31, 1792, as 
follows: 

On the 10th inst. the conference with the Chickasaws and Choctaws ended; there was 
a very full representation of the former, but not of the latter, owing, there is reason to 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 207 

believe, to the Spanish influences. During the conference Gen. Pickens and myself re- 
ceived the strongest assurances of peace and friendship for the United States from these 
nations, and I believe they were made with great sincerity. 

In this way was the Governor engaged for the first two years of his 
term. In 1792 he turned his attention to civil government, and on the 
11th of June, 1792, he issued an ordinance circumscribing the lim- 
its of Greene and Hawkins Counties, and creating Knox and Jefferson 
Counties. This ordinance fixed the time for holding courts of pleas and 
quarter sessions in these two new counties. A number of acts were also 
passed by the Governor and his two judges, David Campbell and Joseph 
Anderson, the first one being pa;ssed November 20, 1792. This act au- 
thorized the levying of a tax for building or repairing court houses, 
prisons and stocks in the respective counties, limiting the tax to 50 cents 
on each poll, and to 17 cents on each 100 acres of land. 

According to the congressional ordinance for the government of the 
territory of the United States south of the Ohio Eiver, the governor and 
the judges, or a majority of them, were authorized to adopt and publish 
such laws, criminal and civil, as might be necessary and best suited to 
the circumstances of the district, which, being from time to time report- 
ed to Congress and by that body approved, were to be the law of the Ter- 
ritory until the organization of the General Assembly, but afterward the 
General Assembly was to have the power to alter them as they might see 
proper. According to this ordinance the Territorial Legislature was to 
consist of the governor, Legislative Council and the House of Represent- 
atives. The General Assembly met at Knoxville, August 25, 1794, the 
Legislative Council being composed as follows: The Hon. Griffith Ruth- 
erford, the Hon. John Sevier, the Hon. James Winchester, the Hon. 
Stockley Donelson and the Hon. Parmenas Taylor. The Hon. Griffith 
Rutherford was unanimously elected president ; George Roulstone, clerk, 
and Christopher Shoat, door-keeper. The House of Representatives was 
composed as follows: David "Wilson, James White, James Ford, William 
Cocke, Joseph McMinn, George Rutledge, Joseph Hardin, George Doher- 
ty, Samuel Wear, Alexander Kelly and John Baird. A message was sent 
by the house to the council, and also one to the governor, notifying each 
respectively of its readiness to proceed to business. The next day they 
adopted rules of decorum and also rules to be observed in the transaction 
of business, prepared by a joint committee of the two houses. When all 
the preliminaries had been arranged the following bills were reported: 
An act to regulate the military of this Territory ; an act to establish the 
judicial courts and to regulate the proceedings thereof; an act making 
provision for the poor ; an act to enable executors and administrators to 



208 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

make rights for lauds due upou bouds of persons deceased; an act de- 
claring what property is to be taxable, and for collecting the tax thereon ; 
an act to levy a tax for the support of the Government of 1794:, and an 
act to provide relief for such of the military as have been wounded by 
the Indians in the late invasion. 

By the ordinance for the government of the Territory it was provided 
that as soon as a Legislature shall be formed in the district, the council 
and house, assembled in one room, shall have authority, by joint ballot, 
to elect a delegate to Congress. Under this authority the two houses 
met September 3, 1794, at the court house and balloted for a -delegate 
to Congress. The joint committee to superintend the balloting was com- 
posed of Parmenas Taylor, from the council, and George Doherty and 
Leroy Taylor on the part of the house, and the result of the balloting was 
the election of James White as delegate to Congress. On the next day 
a resolution was adopted by the council requesting the concurrence of 
the house to the taking of a new census of the people, to be made on the 
last Saturday of July, 179t). 

Toward the latter part of the session the two houses had considerable 
difficulty in arranging the details of the Tax Bill. Amendments were 
proposed by the one house and uniformly rejected by the other. During 
this discussion the council submitted to the house the following estimate 
to show that its own schedule of taxation was ample in its provisions for 
the raising of revenue. The following is the estimate of the contingent 
fund: 10,000 white polls at 12| cents, $1,250; 1,100 black polls at 50 
cents, $550; 100 stud horses at $4, $400; 200 town lots at $1, $200; 
taxes of law proceedings, grants, deeds, etc., $750; 1,000,000 acres of 
land at 124- cents, $1,250; total $4,400. This was while the council 
was insisting that a tax of 12| cents on each 100 acres of land was 
sufficient, while the house insisted that the tax on land should be 
25 cents on each 100 acres. Failing to agree on Saturday, September 
27, the two houses adjourned until Monday, the 29th, and on that 
day, after an attempt at compromise by fixing the land tax at 18 cents 
on each 100 acres, the council at length yielded and sent the house 
the following message: "The council accede to your proposition in tax- 
ing land at 25 cents per 100 acres ; you will, therefore, send two of your 
members to see the amendments made accordingly." Following is the 
resv::lution of the house fixing the pay of the members of both houses: 
"■Resolved, that the wages of the members, clerks and door-keepers of 
both houses be estimated as follows: For each member per day, 
$2.50; for each clerk per day, $2.50; for each clerk for stationery 
$25; for each door-keeper per day, $1.75; each member, clerk and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE 209 

door-keeper to be allowed for ferriages; every twenty-five miles, riding 
to and from the assembly, $2.50." On the last day of the session, Sep- 
tember 30, among other joint resolutions the following was passed: 
"That the thanks of this General Assembly be presented to Gov. 
Blount for the application of his abilities and attention in forwarding 
their business as representatives; more especially in compiling and ar- 
ranging the system of court law, and that as there appears to be no more 
business before this assembly his excellency is requested to prorogue 
the same to the first Monday in October, 1795." The Governor after 
acknowledging that the laws presented for his approval were essential to 
the public happiness, and that no law of importance was omitted, sent the 
following prorogation : 

William Blount, Goveknor in and over the Territory op the United States of 

America, south of the River Ohio. 
To the President and Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and the Speaker and Oentlemen 

of the House of Representatives. 

The session of the General Assembly is prorogued until the first Monday in the month 
of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, then to commence at this place. 

Given under my hand at Knoxville, September 30, 1794. 

By the Governor, Daniel Smith. WiiiLiAM Blount 

The expense of the Tjegislative Council for the August aiul September 
session, 1794, amounted to $970. 71f, and of the House of Representatives 
for the same session, $1,700. 16|. The Territorial Assembly, although 
prorogued as above narrated, was convened by the Governor on June 29, 
1795. In his message the Governor said: "The principal object for 
which I have called you together at an earlier period than that to which 
the General Assembly stood prorogued, is to afford an opportunity to in- 
quire whether it is as I have been taught to believe, the wish of the 
majority of the people that this Territory should become a State, when 
by taking the enumeration there should prove to be ()0,000 free inhabit- 
ants therein, or at such earlier period as Congress shall pass an act for its 
admission, and if it is to take such measures as may be proper to effect 
the desired change of the form of government as early as practicable." 
On the 7th of July, following, John Sevier from the joint committee ap- 
pointed for the purpose offered the following address to the Governor: 

Sir: — The members of the Legislative Council, and of the House of Representatives 
beg leave to express to your Excellency their approbation of the object for which they 
were principally called together; and feeling convinced that the great body of our con- 
stituents are sensible of the many defects of our present mode of government, and of the 
great and permanent advantages to be derived from a change and speedy representation 
in Congress; the General Assembly of this Territory will during the present session, en- 
deavor to devise such means as may have a tendency to effect that desirable object, and 
in doing so we shall be happy in meeting with your Excellency's concurrence. 



210 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The treasurer of Washington and Hamilton Districts submitted his 
report at this session of the Legislature. A joint committee, to whom it 
■was referred, in the conclusion of their report used the following lan- 
guage: "Your committee beg leave to observe that the moneys arising 
from the tax levied by the last General Assembly very much exceed their 
most sanguine expectations, and that such will be tlie state of the treas- 
VLi'Y department, that the next tax to be levied may be very much lessened 
and then be fully commensurate and adequate to defray every expendi- 
ture and necessary contingency of our government." It is believed that 
this flattering condition of the treasury had its influence in determining 
public sentiment more strongly in favor of the change in the form of 
government from a Territory to a State. The preference of the people 
of the Territory for a State form of government was recognized by the 
Legislature, which |)assed an act for the enumeration of the inhabitants 
of the Territory, in which it was provided that "if it shall appear that 
there are ()0,000 inhabitants therein, the governor be authorized and 
requested to recommend to the people of the respective counties, to elect 
five persons of each county to represent them in convention to meet at 
Knoxville at such time as he shall judge proper for the purj)Ose of form- 
ing a constitution or form of government for the .permanent government 
for the people who are or shall become residents upon the lands by the 
State of North Carolina ceded to the United States." So general had 
become the conviction that the territorial would soon be superseded by a 
State government, that this session of the Territorial General Assembly 
was of but short duration — thirteen days — and its work, other than that 
outlined above, comparatively unimportant, and in accordance with a con- 
current request of the two houses, the Governor sent the following 
message : 

William Blount, Governor in and over the Territory of the United States op 
America, south of the River Ohio. 

To the President and Qentlemenof the Legislative Council nnd the Speaker and Oentle- 
men of the House of Representatives. 

The business of this session being completed the General Assembly is prorogued Ktne 
die. 

Given under my hand and seal at Knoxville, July 11, 1795. 

William Blount. 
By the Governor, 

Thomas H. Williams, Pro. Sec'y. 

The results of the enumeration of the people under the act passed as 

above recited were as follows: 

Territory op the United States op America, South of the River Ohio. 

Schedule of the aggregate amount of each description of persons, taken agreeably to 
" An act providing for the enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory of the United 
States of America south of the River Ohio," passed July 11, 1795. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



211 



COUNTIES. 


Free white males, 
16 years and up- 
ward, including 
heads of families. 


a> ■ 

a !S 
a a) 

u 3 




All other free per- 
sons. 


Slaves. 


Total 
Popula- 
tion. 


Yeas. 


Nays. 


Jefferson 

Hawkins 


1706 

2666 

1567 

2721 

2013 

1803 

628 

585 

728 

1382 

380 


2225 
3279 
2203 

2723 

2578 

2340 

1045 

817 

695 

1595 

444 


3021 
4767 
3350 
3664 
4311 
3499 
1503 
1231 
1192 
2316 
700 


112 
147 

52 
100 
225 

38 
273 

6 

1 

19 


776 

2472 

446 

2365 

978 

777 

129 

183 

992 

1076 

398 


7840 

13331 

7638 

11573 

10105 

8457 

3578 

2816 

3613 

6370 

1941 


714 

1651 

560 

1100 

873 

715 

261 

476 

96 


316 
534 


Gieene 


495 


Kuox 


128 


Washington 

Sullivan 


145 
125 


Sevier 


55 


Blount 


16 


Davidson 


517 


Sumner 




Tennessee 


58 


231 






Totals 


16179 


19994 


29554 


973 


10613 


77262 


6504 


2562 







I, William Blount, Governor in and over the Territory of the United States of Amer- 
ica, south of the River Ohio, do certify that the schedule is made in conformity with the 
schedules of the sheriffs of the respective counties in the said Territory, and that the 
.schedules of the said sheriffs are lodged in my office. 

Given under my hand at Knoxville November 28, 1795. 

William Blount. 

The Territory being thus found to contain more than the number of 

inhabitants required by the ordinance to authorize the formation of a 

State government, Gov. Blount issued the following proclamation : 

William Blount, Governor in and over the Territory of the United States of America, south 

^of the River Ohio, to the people thereof: 

Whereas by an act passed on the 11th of July last, entitled " An act providing for the 
enumeration of the inhabitants of the Territory of the United States of America south of 
the River Ohio," it is enacted "' that if upon taking the enumeration of the people in the 
said Territory as by that directed, it shall appear that there are 60,000 inhabitants therein, 
counting the whole of the free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years 
and excluding Indians not taxed and adding three-fifths of all other persons, the Governor 
be authorized and requested to recommend to the people of the respective counties to elect 
five persons for each county, to represent them in convention to meet at Knoxville at such 
time as he shall judge proper for the purpose of forming a constitution or permanent form 
of government." 

And, Whereas, upon taking the enumeration of the inhabitants of said Territory, as 
by the act directed, it does appear that there are 60,000 free inhabitants therein and more, 
besides other persons; now I, the said William Blount, Governor, etc., do recommend to 
the people of the respective counties to elect five persons for each county, on the 18th and 
19th days of December next, to represent them in a convention to meet at Knoxville on 
the lltli day of January next, for the purpose of forming a constitution or permanent 
form of government. 

And to the end that a perfect uniformity in the election of the members of the conven- 
tion may take place in the respective counties, I, the said William Blount, Governor, etc., 
do further recommend to the sheriffs or their deputies, respectively, to open and hold 
polls of election for members of convention, on the 18th and 19th days of December, as 
.aforesaid, in the same manner as polls of election have heretofore been held for members 



212 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

of the General Assembly; and that all free males twenty one years of age and upward, be 
considered entitled to vote by ballot for five persons for members of convention, and that 
the sheriffs or their deputies holding such polls of election give certificates to the five 
persons in each county having the greatest number of votes, of their being duly elected 
members of convention. 

And I, the said William Blount, Governor, etc., think proper here to declare that this 
recommendation is not intended to have, nor ought to have, any effect whatever upon the 
present temporary form of government; and that tlie present temporary form will con- 
tinue to be exercised in the same manner as if it had never been issued, until the conven- 
tion shall have formed and published a constitution or permanent form of government. 

Done at Knoxville November 38, 1795. 

William Blount. 
By the Governor, Willie Blount, Pro. Secretary. 

In accordance with the suggestions of this proclamation, elections 
were held in each of the eleven counties in the Territory, for five mem- 
bers of the convention from each county. These members met at Knox- 
ville, January 11, 1796. Following are the names of the members who 
appeared, produced their credentials and took their seats: 

Jefferson County — Joseph Anderson, George Doherty, Alexander 
Outlaw, William Roddye, Archibald Roane. Hawkins County — James 
Berry, William Cocke, Thomas Henderson, Joseph McMinn, Richard 
Mitchell. Greene County — Elisha Baker' Stephen Brooks, Samuel Fra- 
zier, John Galbreath, William Rankin. Knox County — John Adair, Will- 
iam Blount, John Crawford, Charles McClung, James White. Wash- 
ington County — Landon Carter, Samuel Handley, James Stuart, Leroy 
Taylor, John Tipton. Sullivan County — William C. C. Claiborne, Rich- 
ard Gammon, George Rutledge, John Rhea, John Shelby, Jr. Sevier 
County — Peter Bryan, Thomas Buckingham, John Clack, Samuel Wear, 
Spencer Clack. Blount County — Joseph Black, David Craig, Samuel 
Glass, James Greenaway, James Houston. Davidson County — Thomas 
Hardeman, Andrew Jackson, Joel Lewis, John McNairy, James Robert- 
son. Sumner County — Edward Douglass, W. Douglass, Daniel Smith, 
D. Shelby, Isaac Walton. Tennessee County— James Ford, William 
Fort, Robert Prince, William Prince, Thomas Johnson. 

The convention was organized by the election of William Blount, pres- 
ident; William Maclin, secretary, and John Sevier, Jr., reading and en- 
grossing clerk. John Rhea was appointed door-keeper. On motion of 
Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Roddye, it was ordered that the next morn- 
ing's session commence with prayer, and that a sermon be delivered by 
Rev. Mr. Carrick. In the act providing for the enumeration of the in- 
habitants of the Territory, it was provided that each member of the con- 
vention should be entitled to receive the same wages as a member of that 
session of the Assembly — $2.50 per day. The convention on the second 
day of its session adopted the following resolutions : 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 218 

Resohfd, That economy is an admirable trait in any government and that, in fixing 
the salaries of the officers thereof, the situation and resources of the country should be 
attended to. 

Resolved, That ten shillings and sixpence, Virginia currency, per day to every member 
is a sufficient compensation for his services in the Convention, and one dollar for everj'^ 
thirty miles they travel in coming to and returning from the Convention, and that the 
members pledge themselves each one to the other that they will not draw a greater sum 
out of the public treasury. 

After substituting $1.50 for 10s. 6d. in the second resolution, botli 
resolutions were unanimously adopted. It was then resolved tliat the con- 
vention appoint two members from each county to draft a constitution, 
and that each county name its members, and accordingly the following 
individuals were named as members of the committee. 

Blount County— Daniel Craig and Joseph Black. Davidson County 
— Andrew Jackson and John McNairy. Greene County— Samuel Fra- 
zier and William Rankin. Hawkins County — -Thomas Henderson and 
■William Cocke. Jefferson County — Joseph Anderson and William 
Boddye. Knox County — William Blount and Charles McClung. Sulli- 
van County — William C. C. Claiborne and John Rhea. Sumner Countv 
— D. Shelby and Daniel Smith. Sevier County— John Clack and Sam- 
uel Wear. Tennessee County — Thomas Johnson and William Fort. 
Washington County — -John Tipton and James Stuart. On motion of Mr. 
McMinn, the sense of the coiivention was taken as to whether a declara- 
tion of rights be prefixed to the constitution, which being decided in 
the affirmative the committee was directed to present as early as practic- 
able a declaration or bill of rights to be thus prefixed. k. bill of 
rights was consequently prepared, but later in the session it was decided 
by the convention to affix it to the constitution as the eleventh arti- 
cle thereof. 

On the 18tli of January an important (juestion was presented to the 
• convention by Mr. Outlaw, as to whether the Legislature should consist 
of two houses. This question being decided in the affirmative, another 
question was raised by Mr. McNairy as to whether the two houses in the 
Legislature should be of equal numbers and of equal powers. This ques- 
tion, being decided in the affirmative, was the next day reconsidered on 
motion of Mr. McXairy, and amended so as to read as follows: Li b>u 
of the words ''two houses," insert "one House of Representatives," and 
that no bill or resolution shall be passed unless by two thirds of the 
whole number of members present. Tl].is proposed form of the legisla- 
tive branch of the government was, upon reflection, no more satisfactory 
than "two houses of equal numbers and powers," and on the 20th of Jan- 
uary the convention again resolved itself into committee of the whole on 
this question; and Mr. Robertson, chairman of the committee, reported 



214: HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

that "the Leofislature shall consist of two branches, a Senate and a House 
of Represenatives, organized on the principles of the constitution of North 
Carolina, to be elected once in two years ; and that the members of each 
house be elected by the same electors, and that the qualifications of the 
members of each house be the same, until the next enumeration of the 
people of the United States, and then to be represented by members, re- 
taining the principle of two representatives to one senator ; provided the 
ratio shall be such as that both shall not exceed forty until the number 
of the people exceed 200,000, and that the number shall never exceed 
sixty." 

Although in the report of the proceedings of the convention no further 
reference is made to discussions upon this part of the constitution, yet on 
January 30, when the draft of the constitution was considered in com- 
mittee of the whole, this clause is found to have undergone considerable 
change. It was then provided that the General Assembly should consist 
of a Senate and a House of Representatives, the former to consist of one 
and the latter of two members from each county, to continue thus for 
sixteen years from the commencemeat of the second session, and after 
that representation should be apportioned according to numbers in such 
manner that the whole number of senators and representatives should not 
exceed thirty-nine until the number of free white persons should be 
200,000, and after that (preserving the same ratio of two representatives 
to one senator) the entire number of senators and representatives should 
never exceed sixty. As finally adopted on February 4, 1796, this portion 
of the constitution assumed the following form: 

ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. The legislative authority of this State shall be vested in a General As- 
sembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives, both dependent on 
the people. 

Sec. 2. Within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and with- 
in every subsequent term of seven years, an enumeration of the taxable inJiahitanis shall 
be made in such manner as shall be directed by law. The number of representatives shall 
at the several periods of making such enumeration be fixed by the Legislature, and appor- 
tioned iiii'ong the several counties according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each, 
und shall never be less than twenty-two, nor greater than twenty-six, until the number of 
taxable inhabitants shall be 40,000; and after that event at such ratio that the whole num- 
ber of representatives shall never exceed forty. 

Sec. 3. The number of senators shall at the several periods of making the enumera- 
tion before mentioned be fixed by the Legislature, and apportioned among the districts, 
formed as hereinafter directed, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each, 
and shall never be less than one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representa- 
tives. 

Sec. 4. The senators shall be chosen by districts, to be formed by the Legislature, 
each district containing such a number of taxable inhabitants as shall be entitled to elect 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 215 

not more than three senators. When a district shall be composed of two or more counties 
they shall be adjoining, and no county shall be divided in forming a district. 

Thus was concluded perhaps the most important part of the work of 
the convention. It is doubtless more curious than profitable to reflect 
upon what would have been the consequences to the people of the State 
had either of the earlier propositions been adopted — ^to form a Legislature 
consisting of two houses of equal power and numbers, or of "one House 
of Representatives." It is an interesting study, however, to note the 
varying forms this subject assumed in the minds of those primitive con- 
stitution builders, illustrating as it does the general principle that the 
wisest form or course is seldom that first suggested to the mind. There 
are other features in this constitution, declared by JefPerson to be the 
"least imperfect and most republican" of the systems of government 
adopted by any of the American States, worthy of especial comment. 
Several of its features or principles had previously been enacted into laws 
by North Carolina. So far as those laws are concerned these principles 
had their origin in the demands of the times, or the necessities of the 
people ; and experience, that great teacher of the wise legislator, had de- 
termined their wisdom by demonstrating their adaptability to the ends 
they were designed to subserve. This adaptability being thus clearly 
proven by experience, the principles were embodied in the constitution 
for the purpose of conferring upon the people with certainty the benefits 
to be derived from their operation, and of placing them beyond the power 
and caprice of Legislatures ; for it is worthy of remark that the present, 
no matter how much confidence it may possess in its own wisdom and in 
that of the past, has very little respect for that of the future. One of 
these principles was enacted into a law, in 1777, by the Legislature of 
North Carolina, as follows: "That every county court shall annually se- 
lect and nominate a freeholder, of suifficient circumstances, to execute the 
ofl&ce of sheriff, who shall thereupon be commissioned by the governor, 
or commander-in-chief, to execute that office for one year." The Con- 
stitution of Tennessee, Article VI, Section 1, reads as follows: "There 
shall be appointed in each county, by the county court, one sheriff, one 
coroner, one trustee, and a sufficient number of constables, who shall Laid 
their offices for two years. They shall also have power to appoint one 
register and one ranger for the county, who shall hold their offices during 
good behavior. The sheriff and coroner shall be commissioned by the 
governor." In 1784 the Legislature of North Carolina passed the fol- 
lowing law: 

Whereas, It is contrary to the spirit of the constitution and the principles of a gen- 
uine republic that any person possessing a lucrative office should hold a seat in the Gen- 
eral Assembly; 



216 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Therefore, he it enacted, etc., That from and after the present session of the General As- 
sembly, every person holding a public office of profit, either by stated salary or commis- 
sions, shall be and they are hereby declared to be incapable of being elected a member to 
serve in the General Assembly, or to enjoy seats therein." 

This principle was embodied in the constitution of Tennessee in the 
followino^ form: "No person, who heretofore hath been or hereafter may 
be a collector or holder of public monies, shall have a seat in either house 
of the General Assembly." The next section was of similar import. In 
the year 1785 North Carolina passed the following law: "That from and 
after passing of this act the several county courts of pleas and quarter 
sessions within this State shall have, hold and exercise jurisdiction in all 
actions of trespass in ejectment, formedon in descender, remainder and 
reverter, dower and partition, and of trespass quare clausitm f regit, any 
law to the contrary notwithstanding," etc. 

The constitution of Tennessee, Article Y, Section 7, provides that "the 
judges or justices of the inferior courts of law shall have power in all civil 
cases, to issue writs of certiorari, to remove any cause or a transcript 
thereof from any inferior jurisdiction into their court, on sufficient cause 
supported by oath of affirmation." North Carolina enacted in 1780 that 
the public tax on each and every poll should equal the public tax on 300 
acres of land. The constitution of Tennesee, Article I, Section 26, pro- 
vides that "no freeman shall be taxed higher than 100 acres of land, and 
no slave higher than 200 acres on each poll." But perhaps the most re- 
markable feature of this constitution was that respecting the tax to be 
levied on land, in the following language: "All lands liable to taxation 
in this State, held by deed, entry or grant, shall be taxed equally and 
uniformly in such manner that no 100 acres shall be taxed higher than 
another, except town lots," etc. 

It is not certain whence this idea was derived. It is not to be found 
in the constitution of North Carolina, nor in that of any of the other 
States. It probably originated in the Territorial Legislature of 179-1, in 
which, as will be seen by reference to the preceding pages, the most se- 
rious contest occurred over the question of what the tax should be upon 
eac]} too acres of land, whether 12i cents, 18 or 25 cents, the decision 
beitig finally in favor of 25 cents. The idea of taxing lands according to 
quantity instead of according to value was probably derived from the 
fact of the equal value of the lands at that time, and was suggested to 
the constitutional convention of 1796 by the course pursued by the Ter- 
ritorial Legislature of 1794. At any rate it was embodied in the fii'st 
constitution of this State, where it remained an anomalous feature, work- 
ing greater and greater injustice, as lands became more and more un- 
equal in value, until the adoption of the constitution of 1834, when the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 217 

principle was adopted of taxing lands as well as other property according 
to their value. 

With reference to the qualifications of electors the constitution of 
Tennessee provided that "Every freeman of the age of twenty-one years 
and upwards possessing a freehold in the county wherein he may vote, 
and being an inhabitant of this State, and every freeman being an in- 
habitant of any one county in this State six months immediately pre- 
ceding the election, shall be entitled to vote for members of the Gen- 
eral Assembly for the county in which he may reside." This was a step 
considerably in advance of the provisions of the North Carolina constitu- 
tion, which required an elector to be a freeman, a resident of the county 
twelve months, and to be possessed of a freehold of fifty acres in the 
county in which he resided, to qualify him to vote for senator. To be 
qualified to vote for representative he was required to have been a resi- 
dent of his county twelve months, and to have paid public taxes. But it 
will be observed that under both these constitutions colored men, if free, 
could vote. 

Then in reference to the qualifications of ofl&ce-holders, the constitu- 
iion of Tennessee provided, like that of North Carolina, that no clergy- 
man or preacher of the gospel should be eligible to a seat in either house 
of the General Assembly. With regard to the religious qualification of 
office-holders in general, it is interesting to note the advance made in 
public opinion during the twenty years from 1776 to 1796. In the North 
Carolina constitution it was provided that "No person who shall deny 
the being of God, or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the divine 
authority of either the Old or New Testament, or who shall hold religious 
principles incompatible with the freedom or safety of the State, shall be 
capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil de- 
partment of this State." The constitutional convention of Tennessee, 
when discussing this question, evidently had the constitution of North 
Carolina before them, and were determined to improve upon that instru- 
ment. When the first draft of the constitution was presented, January 
30, 1796, no reference was made to religious qualifications for office- 
holders ; but on February 2, Mr. Doherty moved, and Mr. Roan seconded 
the motion, that the following be inserted as a section in the constitution : 
"No person who publicly denies the being of God, and future rewards 
and punishments, or the divine authority of the Old and New Testaments, 
shall hold any office in the civil department in this State;" which was 
agreed to. Mr. Carter then moved, and Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion, 
that the words "or the divine authority of the Old and New Testaments" 
be struck out, which being objected to, the yeas and nays were called for, 



218 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

and resulted in an affirmative victory by a vote of twenty-seven votes to 
twenty-six. Afterward the word " publicly " was struck out, and tliis 
section of the constitution was adopted in the following form: "No person 
who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punish- 
ments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State." 

One or two features of the bill of rights are deemed worthy of notice 
in this connection. The twenty-ninth section^ adopted through the 
efforts of William Blount, was as follows: "That an equal participation 
of the free navigation of the Mississippi is one of the inherent rights of 
the citizens of this State ; it cannot, therefore, be conceded to any prince, 
potentate, power, person or persons whatever." Section 31 was as 
follows: " That the people residing south of French Broad and Hols- 
ton, between the rivers Tennessee and Big Pigeon, are entitled to the 
right of pre-emption and occupation in that tract." It is stated that the 
name "Tennessee" was suggested as the name of the State by Andrew 
Jackson, the members from the county of Tennessee consenting to the 
loss of that name by their county, on condition that it be assumed by 
the State. 

The president of the convention was instructed to take the constitu- 
tion into his safe keeping until a secretary of State should be appointed 
under it, and then to deliver it to him. The president was also instructed 
to send a copy of the constitution to the Secretary of State of the United 
States; and he was also instructed to "issue writs of election to the 
sheriffs of the several counties, for holding the first election of 
members of the General Assembly and a governor, under the au- 
thority of the constitution of Tennessee, to bear teste of this date.'' 
(February 6, 1790.) On the 9th of February a copy of the constitution 
was forwarded to the Secretary of State, Mr. Pickering, by Joseph 
McMinn, who was instructed to remain at the seat of the Federal Gov- 
ernment long enough to ascertain whether members of Congress from 
Tennessee would be permitted to take their seats in Congress. Mr. 
White, who was then territorial delegate in that body, was urged by- 
Mr. McMinn to apply for the admission of Tennessee into the Union. 
In response to the application of Mr. White, Congress at length passed, 
the following act, receiving the State of Tennessee into the Union: 

Whereas, By the acceptance of the deed of cession of the State of North Carolina, 
Congress are bound to lay out into one or more States the territory thereby ceded to the 
United States. 

Be it enacted, etc., That the whole of the territory ceded to the United States by the 
State of North Carolina shall be one State, and the same is hereby declared to be one of 
the United States of America, on an equal footing with the original States, in all respects 
whatever, by the name and title of the State of Tennessee. That until the next general 
census the said State of Tennessee shall be entitled to one representative in the House of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 219 

Representatives of the United States; and in all other respects as far as they may be 
applicable, the laws of the United States shall extend to and have force in the State of 
Tennessee, in the same manner as if that State had originall}^ been one of the United 
States. 

Approved June the 1st, 1796. Jonathan Dayton, 

George Washington, Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives. 

President of the United States. Samuel Livermore, 

President of the Senate, pro. tern. 

Writs o£ election were issued by the president of the convention to 
the sheriffs of the several counties, requiring them to hold the first elec- 
tion of members of the General Assembly, and governor of the State, 
The Legislature thus elected assembled at Knosville March 28. The 
Senate was constituted as follows : From Tennessee County, James Ford ; 
from Sumner County, James Winchester; from Knox County, James 
White; from Jefferson County, George Doherty; from Greene County, 
Samuel Frazier; from Washington County, John Tipton; from Sullivan 
County, George Eutledge ; from Sevier County, John Clack ; from Blount 
County, Alexander Kelly; from Davidson County, Joel Lewis; from 
Hawkins County, Joseph McMinn. 

The Senate was organized by the election of James Winchester, 
speaker; Francis A. Ramsey, clerk; Nathaniel Buckingham, assistant 
clerk ; Thomas Bounds, door-keeper. The House of Representatives was 
composed of the following gentlemen: Blount County, Joseph Black and 
James Houston; Davidson County, Seth Lewis and Robert Weakley; 
Greene County, Joseph Conway and John Gass; Hawkins County, John 
Cocke and Thomas Henderson; Jefferson County, Alexander Outlaw and 
Adam Peck; Knox County, John Crawford and John Manifee; Sullivan 
County, David Looney and John Rhea; Sevier County, Spencer Clack 
and Samuel Newell ; Sumner County, Stephen Cantrell and William Mont- 
gomery; Tennessee County, William Fort and Thomas Johnson; Wash- 
ington County, John Blair and James Stuart. James Stuart was chosen 
speaker; Thomas H. Williams, clerk; John Sevier, Jr., assistant clerk, 
and John Rhea, door-keeper. 

The two houses being thus organized met in the representatives 
chamber, to open and publish the returns of the election in the several 
counties for governor. From these returns it appeared that "citizen 
John Sevier is duly and constitutionally elected governor of this State, 
which was accordingly announced by the speaker of the Senate, in pres- 
ence of both houses of the General Assembly. On the same day a joint 
committee was appointed "to wait on his Excellency, John Sevier, and 
request his attendance in the House of Representatives, to-morrow, at 12 
o'clock, to be qualified agreeably to the constitution of the State of Tennes- 



■220 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

see." Gov. William Blount was requested to be present at tlie quali- 
fication of the governor elect, and on March 30, "both houses having 
convened in the representative chamber, the several oaths prescribed 
for the qualification of the governor were duly administered to him 
by the honorable Joseph Anderson." After his inauguration Gov. 
Sevier presented the following address: 

Oentlemen of the. Senate and House of Representatives: 

The high and honorable appointment conferred upon me by the free suffrage of my 
countrymen, fills my breast with gratitude, which, I trust, my future life will manifest. 
I take this early opportunity to express, through you, my thanks in the strongest terms of 
acknowledgment. I shall labor to discharge with fidelity the trust reposed in me; and if 
such my exertions should prove satisfactory, the first wish of my heart will be gratified. 
Gentlemen, accept of my best wishes for your individual and public happiness; and, rely- 
ing upon your wisdom and patriotism, I have no doubt but the result of your deliberations 
will give permanency and success to our new system of government, so wisely calculated to 
secure the liberty and advance the happiness and prosperity of our fellow citizens. 

John Sevier. 

The duty of electing United States Senators for Tennessee still re- 
mained unperformed. The mode adopted at that time was as follows: 
The following message was sent by the House to the Senate: "This 
House propose to proceed to the election of two senators to represent this 
State in the Congress of the United States; and that the Senate and 
House of Representatives do convene in the House of Representatives 
for that purpose to-morrow at 10 o'clock; and do propose Mr. William 
Blount, Mr. William Cocke and Mr. Joseph Anderson, as candidates for 
the Senate." The Senate replied by the following message: "We 
concur with your message as to the time and place for the election by 
you proposed, and propose Dr. James White to be added to the nomin- 
ation of candidates for the Senate." On the next day the names of Jo- 
seph Anderson and James White were withdrawn, leaving only William 
Blount and AVilliam Cocke as candidates, who were thereupon duly and 
constitutionally elected the first United States senators from Tennessee. 
Addresses were prepared by committees appointed for that purpose to 
William Blount as retiring governor, and as senator elect, and to William 
Cocke as senator elect, to which both these gentlemen appropriately replied. 
William Maclin was elected Secretary of State ; Landon Carter, treasurer 
of the districts of Washington and Hamilton, and William Black, treasurer 
of the district of Mero. John McNairy, Archibald Roane and Willie 
Blount, were elected judges of superior courts of law and equity. This 
election occurred April 10. John McNairy and Willie Blount declined 
the appointment, and Howell Tatum and W. C. C. Claiborne were com- 
missioned in their places respectively. John C. Hamilton was appointed 
attorney for the State, in place of Howell Tatum, appointed judge. 




'J ^ 



JOHN Sevier 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 221 

On the 14tli of April a curious piece of legislation was attempted in 
the House of Eepresentatives : "The bill to preclude persons of a certain 
description from being admitted as witnesses, etc., was then taken up, to 
which Mr. Gass proposed the following amendment: 'That from and 
after the passing of this act, if anj person in this State shall publicly 
deny the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments, 
or shall publicly deny the divine authority of the Old and New Testa- 
ments, on being convicted thereof, by the testimony of two witnesses, 

shall forfeit and pay the sum of dollars for every such offense, etc' 

The foregoing amendment being received the question was taken on the 
amended bill which was carried. "Whereupon the yeas and nays were 
called upon by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Gass, which stood as follows: 
Yeas: Messrs. Blair, Black, Conway, Clack, Crawford,* Gass, Houston, 
Johnson, Looney, Montgomery, Newell, Outlaw, Peck and Weakly — 14. 
Nays: Messrs. Cantrell, Cocke, Fort, Henderson, Lewis, Manifee, Khea 
— 7. Mr. Lewis entered the following protest: "To this question we 
enter our dissent, as we conceive the law to be an inferior species of per- 
secution, which is always a violation of the law of nature, and also that 
it is a violation of our constitution. Setli Lewis, John Cocke, William 
Fort, John Ehea, Stephen Cantrell, John Manifee, Thomas Henderson." 
On the IGtli of April this question came up in the Senate, where the 
following proceedings were had: "Ordered that this bill be read, which 
being read was on motion rejected." On the 22d of April, both houses 
of the General Assembly being convened in the representatives' chamber, 
proceeded to ballot for four electors to elect a President and Vice-Pres- 
ident of the United States, when the following gentlemen were chosen: 
Daniel Smith, Joseph Greer, Hugh Neilson and Joseph Anderson. Attor- 
neys-general were also similarly elected on the same day ; for Washing- 
ton District, Hopkins Lacey; Hamilton District, John Lowrey; Mero 
District, Howell Tatum. 

The above mentioned action of the General Assembly, in electing four 
electors, was in accordance with a law passed by which it was provided 
that the General Assembly should, from time to time, by joint ballot, 
elect the number of electors required by the constitution of the United 
States. The error was in supposing that the State was entitled to two 
representatives in Congress as well as two Senators, and in accordance 
with this supposition an act was passed April 20, 1796, dividint^ the 
State in two divisions, the first to be called the Holston Division, and to 
be composed of the districts of Washington and Hamilton ; the second to 
be called Cumberland Division, to be composed of Mero District ; each of 
which divisions should be entitled to elect one representative to Cono-ress. 



222 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

When it was learned that Tennessee was entitled to only one representa- 
tive in Congress, Gov. Sevier convened the Legislature in extra session 
to meet on the 30th of July for the purpose of making an alteration in 
the act directing the mode of electing representatives to Congress; "for 
by a late act of Congress the intended number of our representatives is 
diminished, of course it proportionably lessens our number of electors for 
President and Vice-President of the United States." In accordance with 
the necessities of the situation and the recommendations of the governor, 
the Legislature on the 3d of August, passed the following law: 

"Be it enacted, etc. : That an election shall be held at the respective court houses in each 
county in this State on the first Tuesday in October next and on the day next succeeding, 
to elect one representative to represent this State in the Congress of the United States. " 

In an act passed October 8 provision was made for the election of elec- 
tors for the districts of Washington, Hamilton and Mero, one for each dis- 
trict. William Blount and William Cocke were again elected senators 
to Congress, and under the act providing for the election of electors of 
President and Vice-President, the State was divided into three districts, 
Washington, Hamilton and Mero, and three persons from each county in 
each district were named to elect the elector for their respective districts. 
The electors named in the act were to meet at Jonesborough, Knoxville, 
and Nashville, and elect an elector for each district, and the three elec- 
tors thus elected were to meet at Knoxville on the first Wednesday in 
December, "to elect a President and Vice-President of the United 
S bates, pursuant to an act of Congress. Andrew Jackson was elected 
representative from Tennessee to the Congress of the United States, and 
when that body assembled at Philadelphia, December 5, 1799, Mr. Jack- 
son appeared and took his seat. 

On the 31st of January, 1797, an act was passed by Congress giving 
effect to the laws of the United States within the State of Tennessee. 
By the second section of this act the State was made one district, the 
district court therein to consist of one judge who was required to hold 
four sessions annually, three months apart, and the first to be held on 
the first Monday of April, the sessions to be held alternately at Knox- 
ville and Nashville. This judge was to receive an annual compensation 
of $800. By the fourth section of this act, the entire State of Tennessee 
was made one collection district, the collector to reside at Palmyra, 
"which shall be the only port of entry or deliver}^ within the said district 
of any goods, wares and merchandise, not the growth or manufacture of 
the United States; and the said collector shall have and exercise all the 
powers which any other collector hath, or may legally exercise for col- 
lecting the duties aforesaid; and in addition to the fees by law provided. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 223 

shall be paid the yearly compeusatiou of one hundred dollars." At the 
election of August, 1797, John Sevier was again elected governor ; and 
a Legislature, consisting of eleven senators and twenty-two representa- 
tives from the thirteen counties then in existence, was chosen, Grainger 
and Hawkins sent Joseph McMinn, Senator, and Eobertson and Mont- 
gomery sent James Ford. James White was elected speaker of the Sen- 
ate; George Koulstone, principal clerk; and N. Buckingham, assistant 
clerk ; James Stuart was elected speaker of the House ; Thomas H. Will- 
iams, clerk; Jesse Wharton, assistant clQi'k, and John Ehea, door-keeper. 
On the 3d of December, 1798, the second session of the Second Gen- 
eral Assembly convened at Knoxville. James Eobertson was elected 
senator in place of Thomas Hardeman, who had resigned. William 
Blount appeared from Knox County in place of James White, resigned. 
William Blount was elected speaker of the Senate, George Eoulstone, 
clerk, and N. Buckingham assistant clerk. It was at this session of the 
Legislature that the number of senators was increased to twelve and the 
number of representatives to twenty-four by a law passed January 5, 
1799. Section 2 of the act provided that there should be four sen- 
ators and eight representatives from Washington District. Washington 
and Carter Counties were made one senatorial district, and Sullivan, 
Greene and Hawkins Counties each had one senator, while Carter and 
Hawkins Counties each had one representative, and Washington, Sulli- 
van and Greene each had two. Hamilton District was divided as fol- 
lows : Knox and Grainger each had one senator, Blount and Sevier had 
one, and Jefferson and Cocke one ; Knox and Grainger had two representa- 
tives each, while the other counties in the district had one each. Mero 
District — Davidson County had two senators and three representatives; 
Sumner County one senator and three representatives; and Eobertson 
and Montgomery Counties one senator from both counties and one rep- 
resentative from each. The first session of the General Assembly elected 
according to the provisions of this act began at Knoxville, September 16, 
1799. Alexander Outlaw was chosen speaker of the Senate, and John 
Kennedy, clerk. William Dickson was chosen speaker of the House, and 
Edward Scott, clerk. 

The first constitution of Tennessee had been so wisely constructed as 
to subserve its purj^ose for forty years without urgent necessity being 
felt for its revision. But in 1S33, in response to a demand in various 
directions, for its amendment, the Legislature passed an act, under date 
of November 27, providing for the calling of a convention. The act pro- 
vided that the convention should consist of sixty members, who should 
be elected on the fii'st Thursday and Friday of March following, and that 



224 HISTOBY OF TENNESSEE. 

it should meet at Nasliville on the third Monday of May. The conven- 
tion having assembled May 19, 1834, Willie Blount, of Montgomery 
County, was made temporary chairman, and immediately afterward Will- 
iam B. Carter, the delegate from Carter County, was elected president. 
Mr. Carter, in the course of his speech acknowledging the honor con- 
ferred upon him, said "the great principle which should actuate each indi- 
vidual in this convention is to touch the constitution with a cautious and 
circumspect hand, and to deface that instrument, formed with so much 
wisdom and foresight by our ancestors, as little as possible, and should 
there be in that sacred charter of liberty some articles or features of 
doubtful policy, prudence requires that we should better let it remain 
than to launch it into a sea of uncertainty when we cannot perhaps better 
its condition." The Rev. James C. Smith, of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church of Nashville, pronounced a solemn and appropriate prayer. 
William K. Hill was made secretary of the convention, and William T. I. 
Morrow assistant secretary, the latter by a yea and nay vote of fifty-one 
to nine. Ministers of the gospel and editors of Tennessee newspapers 
were admitted to seats within the bar of the house. Various committees 
were appointed, each committee to bring forward amendments on some 
specific department of the constitution — the first the Bill of Rights, the 
second the Judicial Department, the third the Legislature, etc. The 
Bill of Rights in the new constitution remained substantially the same 
as in the old. Its position was changed from that of the eleventh article 
to that of the first, and the first change was in the seventeenth section, 
from which is the following sentence: "Suits may be brought against 
the State in such manner and in such courts as the Legislature may by 
law direct, provided the right of bringing suit be limited to citizens of 
this State," the proviso being omitted. In the nineteenth section the 
sentence " and in all indictments for libels the jury shall have a right to 
determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in 
other cases," the word " criminal " was inserted in the last phrase, so 
as to cause it to read "as in other criminal cases." Section 26, 
reading that "the freemen of this State shall have a right to keep and 
bear arms for the common defense," was changed so as to read that 
"the free white men," etc. Section 31, describing the boundaries 
of the State, was amended by the following additional words: "And 
provided also that the limits and jurisdiction of this State shall extend 
to any otiier lands and territory now acquired or that may hereafter be 
acquired by compact or agreement with other States or otherwise, al- 
thougli the land and territory are not included within the boundaries 
hereinbefore designated." 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 225 

In the constitution proper, Article I in the old constitution became 
Article II in the new, and two new sections were prefixed thereto. 
These new sections provided that the government should be divided into 
three distinct departments, Legislative, Executive and Judicial, and that 
no person belonging to one of these departments should exercise any of 
the powers belonging to either of the others except in certain specified 
cases. Section 4 of this second article provides that an enumeration 
of the qualified voters should be made every ten years, commencing in 
1841, instead of an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants every seven 
years, and Section 5 provides that representatives shall be appointed 
according to the number of qualified voters instead of the taxable inhabi- 
tants, and the number of representatives was limited to seventy-five until 
the population of the State became 1,500,000, and after that event the 
number should never exceed ninety-nine, and the number of senators 
was limited to one-third of the number of representatives. Under the 
old constitution no man was eligible to a seat in the General Assem- 
bly unless he possessed, in his own right, at least 200 acres of land. 
From the new constitution this requirement was omitted. Section 20, 
Article I, of the old constitution limited the pay of legislators to $1.75 
per day, and no more than that sum for every twenty-five miles of travel 
to and from the place of meeting. This was changed in the new consti- 
tution so that each member was allowed $4 per day, and $4 for 
every twenty-five miles of travel to and from the seat of government. 

In the old constitution the governor was required to possess a free- 
hold estate of 500 acres of land, and to have been a citizen of the State 
four years. In the new constitution he was required to be at least thirty 
years of age, to be a citizen of the United States, and to have been a 
citizen of Tennessee at least seven years next preceding the election, the 
property qualification being omitted. The article on the qualifications 
of electors was changed so as to read "every free white man of the age 
of twenty-one years, being a citizen of the United States, and of the 
county wherein he may offer to vote six months next preceding the day 
of election, shall be entitled to vote for members of the General Assem- 
bly and other civil officers for the county or district in which he may re- 
side; provided that no person shall be disqualified from voting at any 
election on account of color who is now by the laws of this State a com- 
petent witness in the courts of justice against a white man. A free man 
of color shall be exempt from military duty in time of peace, and also 
from paying a free poll tax." Section 3 of article IX was entirely 
new, and read: "Any person who shall fight a duel, or knowingly be the 
bearpr of a challenge to fight a duel, or send or accept a challenge for 



226 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

that purpose, or be an aider and abettor in fighting a duel, shall be de- 
prived of the right to hold any office of honor or profit in this State." 
The new constitution established a supreme court for the State, and pro- 
vided that this court should consist of three judges, one of whom should 
reside in each of the three grand divisions of the State, the concurrence 
of two of whom was necessary in every case to a decision. It also pro- 
vided for their term of office and salary. 

The above are the principal changes made in the old constitution by 
the convention of 1834. Its labors terminated August 30, after passing 
an ordinance for an election to be held on the first Thursday and Friday 
of March, 1835, on the question of adopting the constitution it had pre- 
pared. A curious provision of this ordinance was as follows: "That no 
person shall be deemed a qualified voter in said election except such as 
are included within the provisions of the first section of the fourth arti- 
cle of the amended constitution," according to which only free white 
men were allowed to vote. Thus the convention itself assumed the right 
and exercised the power of adopting for the people a portion of the con- 
stitution, the whole of which it was preparing to submit to them for their 
ratification or rejection. This proceeding was doubtless extra-judicial, 
but was defensible, if at all, on the ground that the free colored men 
who had hitherto exercised the right of suffrage, would most probably 
-vote against their own disfranchisement, and thus, perhaps, render 
doubtful the fate of the constitution. The amended constitution was 
submitted to the people March 5 and 6, and was ratified by them by a 
vote of 42,666 for the constitution to 17,691 against it. According to 
the census of 1830 there were then in the State 4,511 free colored per- 
sons, or about 900 who, under the old constitution, were entitled to vote, 
which number had probably increased to 1,000 at the time of the adop- 
tion of the amended constitution. 

The session of the convention lasted about three months and its delib- 
erations were characterized by great earnestness, patriotism and intelli- 
gence. The future good of the State was kept constantly in view, and 
the care and caution and even jealousy with which proposed changes 
were scrutinized are sufficiently indicated by the method adopted in their 
discussion — each section being read, considered and voted upon four 
times before finally disposed of. But its crowning work was its estimate 
placed upon the value of education, and provision made for the perpetu- 
ity of the fund for the support of common schools. This estimate is 
clearly and forcibly expressed in the following language: "Knowledge, 
learning and virtue being essential to the preservation of Republican 
institutions, and the diffusion of the opportunities and advantages of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 227 

education tliroughout tlie different portions of the State being highly- 
conducive to the promotion of this end, it shall be the duty of the Gen- 
eral Assembly in all future periods of this Government to cherish litera- 
ture and science." The provision made for the perpetuity of the common 
school fund, and the development of the educational facilities under the 
new constitution are discussed and set forth in the chapter on education. 
In 1853 this constitution was so amended as to provide for the elec- 
tion of the judges of the supreme court by the qualified voters of the 
State at large, and of the judges of the inferior courts by the qualified 
voters of the district to which such judges were assigned. An attorney- 
general for the State and attorney for the districts and circuits were to 
be elected in the same manner instead of by the Legislature. Before 
the conclusion of the civil war, a convention met at Nashville, January 
9, 1865, and completed its labors on the 26th of the same month. By 
this convention the following amendments were framed and submitted to 
ihe people 

That slavery and iavoluntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof 
the party shall have been duly convicted, are hereby forever abolished and prohibited 
throughout this State. 

The Legislature shall make no law recognizing the right of property in man. 

Other amendments were made abrogating certain features of the 
constitution of 1834, so as to make it consistent with the above amend- 
ments, and also declaring treasonable, unconstitutional, null and void, 
the declaration of independence of Tennessee, and the ordinance dis- 
solving the Federal relations between Tennessee and the United States 
-of America, passed and promulgated May 6, 1861. 

The present constitution was prepared by a convention held in Nash- 
ville January, 1870, and which ended its labors February 23, 1870. 
The first change made was in Article I, Section 4, which in the constitu- 
tion of 1834 reads: "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualifi- 
cation to any office or public trust under this State." In the constitution 
of 1870 this section reads, " No political or religious test, other than an 
oath to support the constitution of the United States and of this State, 
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust 
under this State." Section 5 of this article, "That elections shall be 
free and equal," was amended by adding the following words: "And the 
right of suffrage, as heretofore declared, shall never be denied to any per- 
son entitled thereto, except upon conviction by a jury of some infamous 
crime, previously ascertained and declared by law and judgment thereon 
by a court of competent jurisdiction." Section 6, reading "That the 
right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate," was amended by adding 



228 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

"and no religious or political test shall ever be required as a qualifica- 
tion for "jurors." Section 8, "That no free man shall be taken or 
imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges," etc., was 
amended by omitting the word "free." Section 18 was amended so as 
to read: "The Legislature shall pass no law authorizing imprisonment for 
debt in civil cases." 

In the legislative department of the constitution, important changes 
were made. Counties and incorporated towns were forbidden to lend 
their credit to, or to become stockholders in, any incorporation, except upon 
a three-fourths majority of the vote cast at an election upon the question, 
and the credit of the State was forbidden to be given to any company, 
incorporation or municipality. No bonds of the State can be issued to 
any railroad company, which at the time of its application for the same is 
in default in payment of interest upon the State bonds previously loaned 
to it, or that previously to such application shall have sold any State 
bonds loaned to it at less than par. In the executive department the 
principal change made was in conferring upon the governor the veto 
power. The qualifications of electors were so changed as to confer the 
suffrage on every male person of the age of twenty-one years, resident in 
the' State one year and in the county six months who had paid his poll 
tax. The supreme court was changed so as to consist of five judges 
instead of three, of whom not more than two may reside in any one of 
the grand divisions of the State. The judges themselves are required to 
elect one of their own number chief justice. 

One of the miscellaneous provisions of the present constitution is as 
follows: "The Legislature shall have no power to authorize lotteries 
for any purpose, and shall pass laws to prohibit the sale of lottery tick- 
ets within this State." A provision was also inserted under which each 
head of a family is entitled to a homestead of the value of |1,000, ex- 
empt from sale for debt, except for public taxes and the purchase price 
of the homestead, which may be retained by the widow and minor chil- 
dren so long as occupied by them. The intermarriage of white persons 
with negroes or mulattoes, or persons of mixed blood descending from a 
negro to the third generation inclusive, is prohibited under this consti- 
tution. The vote on the ratification of this new constitution was taken 
March 26, 1870, and resulted as follows: For the constitution, 98,128; 
against it, 33,872. In East Tennessee, 15,678 ; against it, 17,155. Middle 
Tennessee, 48,503; against it, 7,190. West Tennessee, 33,917; against it,. 
9,527. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 229 



CHAPTER VIII.* 

Growth and Development— Imperfect Agricultural Methods— Produc- 
tions FOR Market— Supply for Home Consumption— Adoption of Im- 
proved AgrioulturXl Implements— Comparison of the Tiiuee Grand 
Divisions of the State in Crops and Progress— The Staple Products— 
The Great Range of Productions and the Reason— Fruit, Grain, To- 
bacco, Cotton, Peanuts, Hay, Hemp, Flax, Sorghum, Live-Stock and 
Miscellaneous Products— Introduction of the Cotton-Gin— Purchase 
of the Patent by the Legislature— The Labor Question and the cost 
of Production — Fertilization and Statistics. 

TENNESSEE is so happily situated geographically and topographic- 
ally that her fields yield in greater or less abundance nearly every 
product of the temperate zones, and it is doubtful if any other State in 
the Union possesses equal agricultural resources. Yet the condition of 
agriculture in the State has not been so prosperous as the nature of the 
soil, the variety of the products and the salubrity of the climate should 
insure. This is due partly to the agricultural methods, which have been 
in the main quite primitive, and partly to the fact that in Middle and 
West Tennessee especially, the attention of farmers has been directed to 
one or two crops to the almost utter exclusion of all others. It is true 
that before the war these farmers were the most thriving in the State and 
that many of their farms were in a high state of cultivation and improve- 
ment, but this mode of agriculture could succeed and prove profitable 
only under a well regulated and well disciplined system of slave labor. 
The great civil convulsion which overturned the social system of the 
South wrought most disastrous changes among the land owners and 
farmers, and many years have been required for them to recover from the 
effects, and to adapt themselves to the new condition of society. 

There is a widely marked and striking difference in the three divis- 
ions of the State in the economical management of the farmers. The 
most distinguishing characteristic of the average farmer in East Tennes- 
see is the effort which he makes to supply what may be required for his 
own consumption. It is not uncommon on a small farm to see a patch of 
cotton, which the women of the household work up into cloth ; a spot 
given to tobacco for home consumption; a field of sorghum, from which 

♦Compiled from Killebrew's "Resources of Tennessee," "Revised Hand Book of Tennessee " census and 
other reports, and collected by the writer from numerous original and reliable sources. ' 



230 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

syrup is made for domestic use ; a few acres of wheat are raised for flour ; 
corn and oats or hay to feed the stock, which usually consist of a few 
sheep, to supply wool for winter clothes ; cows, from which a consider- 
able revenue is derived by the manufacture of butter, and a brood-mare 
or two, from which the farmer rears his mules and horses for farm use. 
Besides these an abundance of the staple vegetables and of all kinds of 
poultry are raised. A few bee-hives and an apple and peach orchard are 
the necessary adjunct to nine-tenths of the farms in East Tennessee. 
The most striking fact in the farming operations of that division is that 
no money crop is raised. Tobacco, cotton, corn and hay are all grown in 
small quantities, not so much for sale as for use. The amount of money 
realized by the average farmer of East Tennessee is exceedingly small, 
and yet the people in no portion of the State live so well or have their 
tables so bountifully furnished. Many a farmer, who lives like a lord at 
his table, does not realize $200 in money from his farm in a year, and 
this comes mainly from the sale of feathers, chickens, eggs, dried fruit 
and occasionally a few cattle or mules. Indeed, with their strict habits 
of economy, they have but little use for money. The wool and cotton, by 
the patient industry of the female members of the family, are wrought 
into cloth. A few hides from the beeves are tanned and made into 
shoes. Salt, coffee and sugar comprise almost the sum total of pur- 
chases, while a few dollars are required to meet the demands of the tax- 
gatherer. 

The use of improved machinery, except in the valley lands, is impos- 
sible on the farms in East Tennessee ; consequently the implements are 
very inexpensive, and are frequently made at the neighboring blacksmith 
shop. The valley farms, however, are usually supplied with all the ma- 
chinery to be found upon the best farms in the other portions of the 
State. The growing of corn and wheat for a long period in East Tennes- 
see, without proper rotation, resting or clovering, has. greatly impaired 
the fertility of the soil ; yet there is no better land anywhere for clover, 
and the rich, red ferruginous subsoils, resting in the valleys on the lime- 
stone rock, are susceptible of being kept up to a high point of fertility 
if properly managed. Although a small minority of the farmers are 
content to plant, wox'k and gather their crops just as did their fathers 
and grandfathers before them, under the lead of a few intelligent farm- 
ers, and the inspiration of the East Tennessee Farmers' Convention, great 
changes for the better have been wrought within the past few years. 
Improved breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs, and better methods of cultiva- 
tion have been pretty generally introduced. When this spirit of progress 
and improvement shall have become general, East Tennessee will rival 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 231 

any other portion of the Union in the variety and wealth of its agricult- 
ural products. 

Unlike his brother in East Tennessee, the farmer of the middle 
division, especially in the Central Basin and the richer portions (5f the 
Highlands, aims to have in addition to the food crops, a "money crop" 
of either tobacco, cotton or peanuts. His anxiety is greater to secure the 
former than the latter, for his domestic habits are not such as to enable 
him to dispense with money to the same extent as the farmer of East 
Tennessee. As a usual rule, except in places remote from town, he does 
not manufacture his clothes at home, but buys them. He does not pay 
as much attention to the smaller industries, nor is his every day table 
supplied with such a variety of food. Milk and butter he usually pro- 
duces in abundance for home consumption, but unless in the dairy busi- 
ness he does not aim to produce a surplus for market. While his 
orchards may cover more acres, his orchard products are less remunera- 
tive. Fowls are raised in large quantities, but the money for them 
belongs to the housewife, and does not enter into his bills receivable. 
His thoughts center in his money crops, and everything, even the appear- 
ance of his farm, must yield to the imperative demands of such crops. 
He feels no disajjpointment at having no corn or pork to sell. He aims 
to make a supply. If there is a surplus he rejoices, if not, he remains 
contented. He knows and appreciates the value of labor-saving machinery, 
and his farm is usually well supplied with the best of implements. His 
work-stock are the best his purse will enable him to buy. He also 
inherits a love for a good saddle horse. He rejoices in a good cotton- 
gin, or tobacco screw, gin house or tobacco barn, and will take infinitely 
more pains to exhibit these than he will his dwelling, although his 
dwelling may be tasteful and elegant in its surroundings. He is fond 
too of a good stable, with a bounteous supply of provender, though 
stables and everything else must yield to the exactions of his "money 
crop." If a stock raiser, everything is subordinated to that, it being the 
"money crop." The possession of a heavy purse once a year is the 
dream of his existence. Energetic, thoughtful, intelligent and pains- 
taking, he prospered under a different condition of things. He prospers 
yet, when able to take the front row or to carry on his farm in a system- 
atic and orderly manner. He is not so careful of his land now as before 
the war ; he does not value it so highly. He can be tempted to rent out 
fields that in the regular order should be rested. Sometimes his clover 
seed runs short, and he prefers to let the unsown fields lie fallow rather than 
to incur further expense. He is not so particular about having his fence 
corners clean as formerlv. He is in a manner disheartened because he 



232 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

can rely upon no regular supply of labor. His enthusiasm is greatly 
chilled by the course of events, and yet he will confess that in a good 
season with good hands his profits are as great and as satisfactory as 
ever. * 

The farms in Middle Tennessee, as a general thing, are much better 
improved than in the other divisions. The dwelling houses are good, 
many of them elegant, some of them princely. Stock raising and cotton 
growing in this central basin are the favorite branches of industry. Fine 
stock, horses, cattle, hogs and sheep of the most approved breeds are to 
be found in every county. On the Highlands surrounding the basin, 
peanuts, tobacco, wheat and fruits are the favorite crops. The average 
farmer of lower West Tennessee aspires to be a planter. He loves to 
see many broad acres in cultivation. He is ambitious, industrious, care- 
less and energetic. He cares for nothing so much as to see his cotton 
fields flourishing. He does not try to raise his supplies, but stoutly 
maintains that he can buy them cheaper than he can make them. Debt 
has no such terrors for him as for the East Tennessee farmer. He will 
stake his all upon the prospects for cotton; chicken, eggs, butter, corn, 
wheat, hay, meat — all these are little things and cotton will buy them. 
Cotton is the great mogul of all the crops. It controls all and buys all. 
Land, teams, tools are as nothing, compared with the lordly bales rolled 
out from the gin house. Gullies may wash, fences may.rot, houses may 
fall to decay, but cotton must be raised. A big crop of cotton will buy 
fresh fields with virgin soil elsewhere. Taking care of land and resting 
it may do for the farmer elsewhere, but time is too valuable to be wasted 
in this way by the average West Tennessee farmer. He can and does 
spend money for fertilizers, and they are used where the cotton crop will 
get the full benefit. He will crop out his land, or rent it out, payable in 
cotton, but rarely in money. He is inclined to be more cosmopolitan 
than his brothers of the other divisions, yet he cherishes a high regard 
for his State, but would cherish it still more, if it would produce more 
cotton. 

In the more northern counties of West Tennessee, however, the 
average farmer is very much like the Middle Tennessee farmer. He has 
his money crop, but he takes an interest in working supplies enough for 
home consumption. He is careful of his soil, and feeds and nurses it 
with clover. He takes great delight in his corn crop until his tobacco 
plants begin to press him, then the corn must stand second in his affec- 
tions. He loves his hay fields, but his tobacco fields better. He is fond 
of rich soil and studies the aptitudes and capacities of the different vari- 
eties, and plants his various crops so that each may have the most con- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 233 

genial soil. There is no better farmer in the State than the farmer of 
northern West Tennessee. He raises a surplus of all food crops, but 
pays little attention to the smaller industries. He is fond of good stock, 
especially good hogs, which his magnificent corn crops enable hi'm to 
rear in great quantities. He keeps up his improvements and has a 
lively faith in the future of the State. 

The many varieties of soil and the difference of elevation gi^e to Ten- 
nessee a very wide range in its agricultural products. Assuming that 
an elevation of 333 feet is equivalent, so far as temperature is concerned 
to one degree of latitude, it will be seen that the highest clime of the 
Unakas in the East differ from the low lands of the Mississippi by near- 
ly fifteen degrees of latitude ; the one having a semi-tropical climate and 
the other that of Canada. The soils do not differ less than the climate. 
Upon them can be grown the sweet potato of the South and the Irish 
potato of the North, both in remunerative quantities, and of excellent 
quality. Peaches that attain their luscious sweetness in a sunny climate 
find in the State a congenial home, where they are brought to their high- 
est perfection. Apples, upon the elevated lands, bear as profusely and 
ripen as deliciously as in the great apple growing region of Ohio or 
Michigan. Grapes of many varieties bear in unsurpassed luxuriance up- 
on the sunny slopes and rich hills in every part of the State. Plums, 
apricots, pears, nectarines and cherries flourish and yield in pro- 
fusion. Even the fig, in sheltered places, may be brought to maturity 
in the open air. Those more common, but not less useful fruits, the 
blackberry, raspberry and the dewberry are indigenous throughout the 
State. In the woods and in the fields, on poor soil and on rich, covering 
'the mountain tops and flourishing in the alluvial bottoms, the blackber- 
ry bush supplies a rich, healthy and delicious fruit, and in quantities 
sufficient to supply ten times the present population. So numerous and 
so excellent are the berries, that pickers are sent out from Cincinnati 
and from other northern towns to gather and ship the fruit. The rasp- 
berry and dewberry grow wild, and yield abundantly. The cranberry- 
grows wild in the elevated swampy places of Johnson County, and but 
for want of facilities for transportation could be made a source of great 
profit. Of the great staple products, corn should, perhaps, be ranked 
first, although as a "money crop" it is subordinate to both cotton and 
tobacco. Tennessee now ranks ninth as a corn growing State. In 18-40 
she stood first. The average annual production of this cereal is not far 
from 50,000,000 bushels. The great central basin of Middle Tennessee, 
the rich valleys of East, and the low lands of West Tennessee raise enor- 
mous crops of this grain and the quality is greatly superior to that grown 



234 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

in hio-lier or lower latitude. The grain matures earlier than in the North 
and dries thoroughly, fitting it to make a superior quality of meal, and 
it is noted for its freedom from rot. The average yield per acre for the 
State is about twenty-three bushels; but this average is low, due to the 
pernicious habit in some parts of the State of planting the same land 
year after year in this exhaustive crop without manure. Among the 
best farmers, those who practice rotation and clovering, the average yield 
is not far from forty bushels. The rent paid for some of the bottom 
lands on the upper Tennessee, is twenty and sometimes thirty bushels of 
corn per acre, and the yield often reaches seventy-five, and in some rare 
instances, 100 bushels per acre. 

Of the cereals, wheat ranks next in importance to corn. The usual 
quantity of wheat raised varies from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 bushels, 
with a large average yield per acre. About 1,000,000 acres are sown 
annually. The best wheat growing portions of the State are to be found 
in the upper counties of the valley of -East Tennessee, the counties ly- 
ing on the north side of the Highland Rim, the northern counties of West 
Tennessee, and the rolling lands of the central basin. The average yield 
in these regions is not far from fifteen bushels. Though the yield of wheat 
is far from being what a thorough preparation of the land and early 
seeding could make it, yet the excellence of the berry compensates in 
some degree for the scantiness in the yield. The flour made of Tennes- 
see wheat commands in every market a superior price. It has been esti- 
mated that at least one-half of the fiour exported to Brazil and other 
inter-tropical countries is manufactured from Avheat grown south of the 
Ohio and Susquehanna Rivfers. There is a peculiarity in the flour 
which enables it to resist damp, and it remains fresh and sweet when 
flour made from wheat grown in high latitudes becomes sour and worth- 
less. It also has the capacity of absorbing more water, and retaining it 
in the baking process, giving a greater number of pounds of bread for a 
given number of pounds of flour. All the nutritive elements are fully 
developed in the wheat of Tennessee, and, maturing a month earlier than 
the wheat crop of New York, it commands a ready market at good prices. 
The annual production of oats in Tennessee amounts to about 5,000,- 
000 bushels. The best authorities put the yield at sixteen bushels per 
acre, but the primitive methods employed in separating the straw from 
the grain leave a large portion of the latter adhering to the straw. 
Twenty-five bushels per acre can be grown upon any soils in any j^ortion 
of the State that have not been impoverished by bad tillage. Even upon 
the thin, barren, flat lands that are found in some portions of Lewis, 
Lawrence, Coffee and other counties, oats grow with a prodigal luxuri- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 235 

ance, as also upon the sand-stone soils o£ the Cumberland Table-land. 
Upon the richer valley and bottom lands fifty bushels per acre are not an 
extraordinary yield, and seventy-five have been made. Greene, Hawkins, 
Knox, Sullivan, Roane, Wasliington and Blount Counties in East Ten- 
nessee ; Davidson, Wilson, Montgomeiy and Sumner in the middle divis- 
ion, and Obion, Dyer and Gibson in West Tennessee furnish the best 
soils for oats. • 

While the number of acres devoted to barley in the State does not 
exceed 5,000, it is yet one of the most profitable crops grown by the 
farmer. The average yield per acre is about eighteen bushels. About 
one-third of all that is grown in the State is raised in Davidson County. 
It flourishes well in the high valleys and coves in Johnson and Carter 
Counties, and would grow well in all the rich valley lands of East Ten- 
nessee. The black lands of the central basin yield very large crops, 
twenty-five to thirty -five bushels being quite common. 

Rye is not considered a productive crop in Tennessee. Farmers 
rarely sow it, except for winter or early spring grazing, a use to which it 
is admirably adapted. It is used also to some extent as a fertilizer, and 
as it grows with vigor where corn, oats and wheat fail, it supplies a great 
Avant Tipon the thin and worked soils. The amount of land in the State 
devoted to rye is about 25,000 acres, which gives a yield of about 
220,000 bushels, or about nine bushels per acre. This yield is doubtless 
largely diminished in consequence of the excessive grazing to which it is 
subjected. The largest rye-growing counties are Marshall, Lincoln, 
Rutherford, Bedford and Davidson in Middle Tennessee, and Johnson 
and Carter in East Tennessee. West Tennessee raises but little rye, yet 
its soil and climate would insure an abundant yield. 

Only a small amount of buckwheat is grown by the farmers of Ten- 
nessee. About GO, 000 bushels is the average crop of the State, grown 
principally in Johnson, Carter, Washington and Perry Counties. It is 
not a remunerative crop, yielding only about seven bushels per acre. 

From the early settlement to the present time, sweet potatoes have 
formed one of the leading articles of food. They grow well in all 
thoroughly drained soils of the State, and where the land is friable and 
moderately fertile. Bottom lands are not usually the best for the growth 
of this vegetable ; the tendency of such places is to produce an enormous 
growth of vines at the expense of the tubers ; nor does cold, clayey land 
suit them. The flavor is greatly improved in a soil with a small adniix- 
ture of sand or fine gravel. When grown upon very rich land they are 
apt to be sappy and insipid. The annual yield is about 1,200,000 
bushels, or 100 bushels per acre. The counties raising the greatest 



236 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

quantities are Shelby, Obion and Gibson in West Tennessee; Davidson, 
Wilson and Montgomery in the Middle Division; and Knox, Bradley and 
Anderson in East Tennessee. 

Irish potatoes are not grown in sufficient quantities in the State to 
supply the home demand, although when planted upon suitable soils and 
well worked, the yield is prolific. Upon land moderately fresh and well 
fertilized, the yield can be brought up to 400 bushels per acre. Yet the 
statistics of this crop shows an average yield of only seventy-seven 
bushels, and the entire production 1,122,000 bushels. This vegetable 
grows well in every division of the State, and especially is it brought to 
perfection in the more elevated portions. Even the Cumberland Table- 
land, though yielding sparsely of the leading crops, produces the Irish 
potato in profusion. 

' Of the "money crops," perhaps the most important is tobacco. In 
the production of this plant Tennessee stands third among the States, 
Kentucky being first and Virginia second. The average yield per acre is 
between 700 and 800 pounds, although as much as 1,200 and even as 
high as 1,800 can be grown on the best soils in favorable seasons. Grown 
in some of the soils of Kentucky and Tennessee, it acquires a peculiar 
richness. Tough, thick, gummy and leathery in its character, it has the 
capacity of absorbing water, which makes it peculiarly adapted to the 
manufacture of strips for the English market; the tobacco known as the 
" Clarksville tobacco," and which grows on the rich red soils of Stewart, 
Montgomery, Robertson, Cheatham and Dickson Counties, is capable of 
absorbing 33 per cent of its weight in water. It is prepared for the 
English market by pulling out the main stem and packing it in hogs- 
heads as dry as possible. These "strips" are watered after reaching the 
English market, and inasmuch as the duty on tobacco is about 72 
cents per pound, every pound of water absorbed by the strips is 
72 cents in the pocket of the importer, and he is thus enabled to sell 
per pound at the same price at which he buys and still make a handsome 
profit. It is this peculiar property that gives the Clarksville tobacco such 
a high rank among the English dealers. The upper parts of Sumner, 
Trousdale and Smith, all of Macon, Clay and Jackson, and parts of 
Overton, Putnam, Wilson and DeKalb, raise a kind of tobacco not well 
suited for the manufacturer. ' It is large, leafy, coarser than the Clarks- 
ville tobacco, and is deficient in the active principle. It is principally 
consumed in the French and Spanish markets, a small quantity going to 
Italy and Germany. Obion, Dyer, Henry, Weakley and Benton Counties 
raise a very fine manufacturing leaf. It is, indeed, the finest article for 
that purpose groAvn west of the Alleghany Mountains. It is rich, silky, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 237 

mild, of a light color, and some of it rivalling the brilliant colors of the 
fading hickory leaf. It is especially valued for bright and mottled 
wrappers. All "of this tobacco is consumed in the United States, none 
being exported on account of its high price and scarcity. This tobacco 
is not well adapted for stemming purposes, and even if it were, the price 
is too high to make its use in this manner profitable. Coffee, Warren, 
Moore, Lewis, Lawrence, Wayne, Hickman, Humphreys and Dickson, 
raise small quantities of light, mild tobacco. Nearly every county in 
East Tennessee grows enough for home consumption, and but little more. 
The quality of tobacco differs widely from that grown in the other divis- 
ions of the State. It is smaller and lighter, and not so rich in nicotine. 
The stronger tobaccos of Middle and West Tennessee contain as high as 
six per cent of that alkaloid, while that grown in East Tennessee does 
not contain above three per cent. It, however, is preferred by many on 
this account, being milder, pleasanter and more agreeable. 

The history of tobacco cultivation in Tennessee dates back to its ear- 
liest settlement. The pioneers who settled in the fertile valleys of the 
Watauga, Nollichucky, and Holston Rivers, raised tobacco for their own 
consumption; and those who planted colonies on the Cumberland during 
the last two decades of the eighteenth century brought seed from North 
Carolina and Virginia, and began its culture. Although grown for many 
years in a small way, it was not until about 1810 that tobacco began to 
form one of the great staples of the State. By 1820 7,000 hogsheads 
were annually sent in flat-boats to New Orleans and exchanged for coffee, 
sugar, salt and other commodities. The extinguishment of Indian titles 
in West Tennessee, in 1818, added immensely to the available area for 
cultivation. Prices were generally low, but the cost of production was 
scarcely appreciable. It is estimated that during the decade from 1820 
to 1830, the actual cost of growing tobacco did not exceed $1 per 100 
pounds. From 1830 to 1840 the culture was widely extended. In the 
latter year Henry County, in West Tennessee, heads the list, reporting a 
yield of 9,479,065 pounds, over 1,000,000 pounds more than any county 
at the present time produces. Smith County came next, with 3,017,012 
pounds; Sumner, 2,615,000; Montgomery, 2,549,984; AVilson, 2,313,000; 
Eobertson, 1,168,833; Williamson, 1,126,982; Rutherford, 1,084,000; 
and Stewart, Jackson and Davidson, 993,495, 859,336, and 334,394 
pounds, respectively. The entire yield for the State in that year was 29,- 
550,442 pounds, nearly 200,000 pounds more than was reported in the 
census of 1^80. The prices which prevailed in 1837 were very low, and 
many planters shipping to New Orleans were brought into debt for freight 
and charges. During the next two years the prices increased, and from 4 to 



238 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

10 cents per pound was frequently paid. In 1839 the prices were higher 
than for several succeeding years. From 1841 to 184G the prices ranged 
fi-om 2 to 8 cents, but in the latter year, on account of the Mexican war, 
the price fell to from 1 to 3 cents. In 1850 fair prices again prevailed. 
About 1834 dealers began to put up factories in Clarksville, and to pur- 
chase leaf tobacco. Several establishments for making " strips " sprang 
up shortly thereafter, and in 1840 the number of stemmeries had consid- 
erably increased. This gave renewed animation to the industry, millions 
of pounds of tobacco being annually bought in Clarksville, and prepared 
for the English trade. ^ 

The first effort to establish a market for the sale of tobacco in Clarks- 
ville was made in 1842, but it was difficult to persuade such planters as 
still adhered to the practice of pressing the tobacco and shipping it to- 
New Orleans, to consent to sell in Clarksville. It was not until Febru- 
ary, 1845, that warehouses for the inspection and sale of tobacco in casks 
were erected, and for the year ending September 1, 1845, 900 hogsheads 
were reported sold. Three or four warehouses were opened in 1846, and 
since that time they have been increased both in size and number. With 
the exception of Louisville, Clarksville opened the first inspection ware- 
house in the West. 

Nashville also was a point where some business was done in tobacco 
as early as 1835. In 1840 the receipts amounted to 4,000 hogsheads, 
and for the next ten years remained stationary, varying from 4,000 to 
5,000 hogsheads annually. About 1850 two tobacco stemmeries were 
put up, which prepared from 125 to 150 hogsheads of strips; considerable 
leaf tobacco was also shipped to the New Orleans market. From 1850 
to 1860 the trade increased somewhat, reaching from 7,000 to 8,000 hogs- 
heads, the weight of the hogshead being increased about twenty per cent. 
During the war the tobacco trade in Nashville "was suspended, and did 
not greatly revive until 1872. Paris, Henry County, is also a tobacco- 
market of some importance. In 1880 it contained six factories, only 
three of which were in operation. These factories during that year put 
up about 208,000 pounds. 

In Clarksville, while the amount of sales varies somewhat with the 
success or partial failure of each crop, there is always a considerable 
amount sold loose to the factories for the manufacture of strips. In 1879 
the number of hogsheads of strips was less than for many years. In that 
year five factories in operation reported an aggregate production of 
544 hogsheads or 680,000 pounds of strips, although the usual amount 
ranges from 800 to 2,000 hogsheads. Springfield, in Robertson County, 
does a considerable business in stemminfj, and also in the manufacture of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 239 

plug tobaccos. Nearly every town iu the tobacco-growing region, espe- 
cially if it be on the railroad, contains one or more dealers who buy leaf 
tobacco, put it into hogsheads, and ship it to Clarksville, Nashville or 
Louisville. 

Cotton is another of the great staple products of Tennessee. Its cult- 
ivation, however, is mainly restricted to a comparatively small area, 
eighty-four per cent of the entire amount being produced in West Ten- 
nessee, and only one per cent of it in that portion of the State east of 
the Central Basin. In 1879 the county in the State having the highest 
total production was Shelby, with 46,388 bales. The county having the 
highest average production per acre was Lake, with 1,059 pounds of seed 
cotton. These counties of West Tennessee produce the best cotton grown 
in the State, and the farmers give to this staple almost their entire atten- 
tion. The uplands yield a very desirable article much sought after by 
the spinners of New England and Great Britain on account of its clean- 
ness. At the London exposition in 1851, the cotton raised by Col. John 
Pope, of Shelby County, received the medal as the best cotton known to 
the world. Lincoln, Rutherford, Giles, Williamson and Maury are the 
principal cotton-growing counties of Middle Tennessee, although it is 
produced to some extent in the whole of the Central Basin. The five 
counties mentioned in 1879 produced over 43,000 bales. 

The following are the counties of Tennessee producing the greatest 
quantity of this staple, together with the number of bales and the average 
yield per acre for 1879 the weight of the bales averaging about 475 
pounds : 

Production Average bales 
in bales. per acre. 

Shelby 46, 388 . 50 

Fayette 39,221 .43 

Tipton 21,415 .56 

Haywood 23,092 .46 

Gibson 19, 372 .53 

Madison 19,257 .42 

Hardeman 18,937 .42 

Lauderdale 13,250 .50 

Giles -...13,802 .44 

Rutherford 12,414 .38 

Carroll 11,505 .43 

Henderson 9,469 .42 

McNairy 9,419 .41 

Crockett 9,320 .52 

Maury 8,912 .41 

Dyer 8,564 .59 

Weakley 7,576 .49 

Henry 5,516 .42 

Hardin 5,345 .42 

Williamson 4,538 .38 



2-10 HISTOltY OF TENNESSEE. 

Obion 4,225 .58 

Lincoln 3,486 .39 

Lake 2,412 .74 

Decatur 2,169 .39 

Benton 1,801 .37 

Marshall ' 1.721 .37 

Davidson 1,333 .41 

Hickman 1,302 .42 

"Wilson 1,372 .40 

Wayne 1,207 .37 

The remaining counties each produced less than 1,000 bales. Al- 
though the average yield per acre is one-half greater than that of Ala- 
bama, and equal even to that of Mississippi, it could be greatly increased 
with proper management. The estimated cost of production per acre, as 
furnished by eleven cotton growers in as many different counties, varies 
from 14.05 to ,^16.90 with an average of ,|11.43. This cost can be ma- 
terially reduced by cultivating less land and cultivating it better, employ- 
ing less labor and thus increasing its efficiency, restoring the exliausted 
elements to the soil and thus keeping up its fertility, and by producing 
home supplies. 

It is probable that the cultivation of cotton for home consumption 
was begun with the first settlement of the State, but the amount raised 
must have been quite small. The first cotton grown west of the moun- 
tains by American settlers was planted by Col. John Donelson in 1780, 
on the east side of Stone's River, opposite Clover Bottom. Before the 
close of the Indian war fields of half an acre or an acre of cotton were to 
be seen at most of the "improvements" or settlements. The entire care 
of this crop at that time, from the planting of the seed to the slow and 
laborious process of seeding the cotton, devolved upon the women and 
children of the hoiisehold. 

The invention of the gin by AVhitney, in 1793, added impetus to the 
culture of cotton, although it was not until some time after that the 
machines came into general use. On October 22, 1803, the Gejieral Assem- 
bly of Tennessee passed an act, of which the following is the preamble : 

WiiEUKAs, It is proposed by Russell Goodricli, the agent of Elijah Whitney, the in- 
ventor and patentee of a machine for the cleaning of cotton from the seeds, commonly 
called the saw-gin, and Phineas Miller, the assignee of one moiety of the patent right to 
said machine, to sell to the State of Tennessee, the sole and exclusive right of making, 
using and vending the said machine within the limits of this State, and 

Wheueas the culture of cotton is increasing in this State, and, from the invention 
and use of said machine, likely to become a valuable staple article of exportation, it is 
expedient that the State of Tennessee do purchase from the said Miller and Whitney 
their patent right to the making, using and vending of the said new invention on the 
terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, that there shall be levied and 
collected by the State of Tennessee on each and every said gin which shall be used in the 
State from the passing of this act, thirt3'-st'ven and one-half cents upon each and every 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 241 

saw or circular row of teeth, which shall be used in said ^ins in each and every year, for 
the term of four years, which tax, when collected, is to be paid to the said Miller and 
Whitney or their order, first deducting the sheriff's usual commission of six per cent for 
collecting from year to year for the term aforesaid. The first payment to be made on the 
first day of November, 1804, and the last payment on the first day of November, 1807. 

The total amount paid by the State for the use of the gin. in the 
counties of Middle Tennessee, or Mero District, was ^4,517.49, after 
deducting the sheriff's commission of $288.35. Gins were used in ten 
counties as follows: Davidson, twenty-four; Sumner, nine; Williamson, 
six; Montgomery, five; Kobertson, five; Smith, five; Stewart, one; 
Dickson, one ; Wilson, four, and Rutherford, four. The following statis- 
tics show the rapid increase in the production of cotton in Tennessee from 
the beginning of the century: The crop for the ye:ir 1801 was estimated 
at 1,000,000 pounds, and for 1811, at 3,000,000 pounds. Ten years later 
it bad increased 20,000,000 pounds; in 1828, to 45,000,000 pounds, and 
in 1833, to 50,000,000 pounds. These amounts were only estimated how- 
ever, and for the last two or three periods, were undoubtedly placed too 
high, as the census of 1840 reports the crop for the previous year at 27,- 
701,277 pounds. The crop for the next four decennial years was as 
follows: 1849, 194,532 bales; 1859, 290,464 bales; 18P,9, 181,842 bales, 
and for 1879, 330,621 bales. 

The great peanut growing region of the State embraces the counties 
of Perry, Hickman and Humphreys, and portions of Dickson and Lewis. 
The cultivation of this crop was introduced into this section by Jesse 
George, of Hickman County. The seeds came from North Carolina, 
and were given to him by some relatives, who were passing through 
the county on their way West. These he planted, and finding the county 
so well adapted to their growth he ventured to raise peanuts for market. 
Obtaining a good price for these he was stimulated to a larger planting. 
His neighbors caught the infection and Humphreys soon became famous 
for the richness and superiority of its peanuts. The entire production 
of this crop in the region mentioned above reached, in the year 1872, 
680,000 bushels; of the'se Hickman raised 200,000 ; Humphreys, 250,000; 
Perry, 200,000, and Dickson, 30,000. The excessive production of that 
year reduced the price so low that the crop in 1873 was diminished to 
110,000 bushels. The prices paid th.e Nashville and Cincinnati markets 
vary from 60 cents to $2.25 per bushel, according to production and 
demand. The average yield is about forty bushels per acre. The best 
soils for peanuts are those which are well drained, and have a large quan- 
tity of intermingling gravel. 

One of the most important crops of Tennessee, and one to which it is 
peculiarly adapted, is that of hay. Although its production is small in 



242 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

comparison with its value to the farmer, it has steadily increased for the 
past fifty years, as is evidenced by the following figures taken from the 
census reports: In 1839 there were produced 31,233 tons; in 1849, 74,- 
091 tons; in 1859, 143,499 tons; in 1869, 116,582 tons, and in 1879, 
186,698 tons. The average yield per acre is not far from one and one-fourth 
tons. No State is more abundantly supplied with water-courses, and the 
hay crop of Tennessee might be made to rival that of any other State in 
the Union. But the hay growing regions are not confined to the low land 
bordering the streams ; on the northern slopes of the ridges of East Ten- 
nessee and on the rolling lands of the Central Basin, timothy grows with 
a surprising luxuriance, and upon the flat lands of the Highland River 
and in the sandy lands of "West Tennessee, herd grass finds a fitting soil 
and irrows to a heisjlit almost incredible. Knox, Greene, Sullivan, Wash- 
int^ton and Davidson are among the best hay growing counties in the 
State, Greene ranking first and Davidson second. While the average 
yield of hay for the State is small, instances are given where meadows 
favoral)ly located have yielded, for a period of ten years in succession, 
from two to three tons per acre. Of the many varieties of grasses there 
is scarcely one but that in some portion of the State can be grown with 
profit. Timothy is the best grass for hay making, and it improves all 
pastures when it is mixpd with other grasses. It does best in limestone 
land, in which the crop often amounts to two tons of hay per acre, which 
rarely sells for less than $20 per ton. 

Blue-grass is a perennial, and is essentially a pasture grass. It 
grows but on limestone lands, and to it Kentucky and several other 
States owe a large portion of their wealth. Much of the lands of East- 
ern and Middle Tennessee produce as fine blue-grass as can be grown 
anywhere, and it will ultimately cover all the limestone hills of the 
State. Several of the counties of West Tennessee will also produce good 
blue-grass. Indeed but little land exists in the State which, under 
proper management, will not grow this grass profitably, and there is no 
reason why Tennessee should not rival Kentucky in its production, 

Herd's-grass, or red top, is a hardy perennial, and is devoted to both 
pasture and meadow. For making meadow in swampy land it is regarded 
as superior to any other grass. It produces a deep, tough sod of roots 
that make a firm surface, even in muddy places, and yields a ton and a 
half of hay of good quality per acre. In well drained upland it yields 
fair crops of hay, but is not equal to clover and timothy. This grass 
finds a most congenial soil throughout West Tennessee, in many places 
attaining the height of five feet. It is probably better adapted to all the 
soils of the State than any other grass. It flourishes upon the slopes 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 243 

and in the valleys of East Tennessee, and yields abundantly upon the 
sandstone soils of the Cumberland Table-land, as well as on the rolling 
surface of the Highland River. In the Central Basin, too, it is second 
only to red clover and timothy as a meadow grass. 

Orchard-grass, also a perennial, makes hay and pasture of the best 
quality. It grows best on limestone lands, but makes good meadows on 
any rich soil. It is difficult, however, to get this grass well sodded and 
to keep it in full possession of the ground. Some of the good points of 
this grass are its adaptability to every variety of soil, its rapid growth, 
its ability to resist drought and its power to grow in the shade. 

Red clover is the most valuable of all the grasses. It not only makes 
excellent hay and pasturage, but is, also, the great fertilizer of land. It 
grows best on rich limestone lands, but may be made to prosper on any 
land which is not extremely sandy. It finds a congenial soil in the clayey 
lands of the valleys of East Tennessee, on the red soils of the Highland 
Rim and on the limestone loams of the Central Basin. Probably three- 
fourths of the land in the State will grow clover remuneratively. 

Besides the common red clover several other species are grown with suc- 
cess, the two most important of which are alsike clover and crimson clover. 
The former is a perennial and is hardier than red clover, but its yield is 
less. The latter is an annual, and is chiefly valuable as a green food. Of 
the annual grasses cultivated in Tennessee the most important is millet, 
of which there are many varieties. The first millet cultivated in the 
State was of the kind commonly termed Tennessee Millet. In a few 
years the Hungarian grass became popular, and later the Missouri millet 
became the favorite. At the close of the war the German variety was 
introduced, and soon superseded all others. These grasses all grow best 
in limestone soils, but prosper on any soil that is rich enough, and there 
is probably more hay made from them in Tennessee than from any other 
kind of grass. There are many other valuable grasses which could be 
profitably grown in the State, but which have not been very generally 
introduced. Several wild or indigenous grasses grow spontaneously, one 
of which is the barren, or prairie grass. It covered all the prairie lands 
when the country was first settled by white people. It springs up about 
the 1st of April, grows to the height of two feet, and affords good pas- 
turage from April to the 1st of August, when it becomes hard and 
woody so that stock refuse to eat it. Wherever the forest is not so dense 
as to exclude the light and heat of the sun, on the streams and table- 
lands of the Cumberland Mountains and on the sandy, flinty and siliceous 
"flat woods" of the whole State, this grass still holds possession, and is 
•a blessing to the inhabitants of all lands which are deficient in lime . 



24:4 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Another indigeneous perennial grass is known as nimble will. On 
limestone lands where the forest has been thinned out, it grows up to the 
heio-ht of about fifteen inches and forms a dense mat, affording good 
pasturage for five or six months in the year. 

White clover is a spontaneous growth over nearly the entire State, 
and is luxuriant in limestone soils. Next to blue-grass it is one of the 
most valuable grazing plants, and is to the pasture what red clover is to 
the meadow. It is a hardy perennial, and withstands drouth and con- 
stant grazing. 

Crab-grass is an annual of some value for fall pasturage, but is a 
troublesome pest among growing crops, especially during wet seasons. 
When the farm is kept under a rotation of crops, however, and tilled only 
once in four or five years, the crab-grass is soon exterminated and better- 
grasses take' its place. 

In addition to the crops already mentioned there are grown in partic- 
ular localities hemp, broom corn, flax, sorghum and rice. All the garden 
vegetables are raised in abundance. Peas, beans, onions, lettuce, cab- 
bage, turnips, radishes, salsify, celery, cucumbers, butterbeans, toma- 
toes, squashes, melons, carrots, beets, egg-plant, asparagus and many oth- 
ers are found in almost every garden. 

The cultivation of hemp is chiefly confined to the counties of East 
Tennessee. The total crop in the State for 1859 was 2,243 tons, of which 
Claiborne County produced nearly one-half. The other counties produc- 
ing it in any considerable quantities during that year were Greene, Haw- 
kins, Cannon and Anderson. In 1869 Hancock County ranked first and 
Johnson second, the crops for these counties being 290 and 207 toHS 
respectively. The census reports for 1880 show no return from the hemp 
crop in Tennessee. 

The raising of flax is also confined mainly to East Tennessee, and its 
production in that locality is somewhat decreased. In 1859 the State 
produced 164,294 pounds of fibre and 9,362 bushels of seed. The reports- 
for 1879 show a total production of only 19,601 pounds of fibre, and 787 
bushels of seed, Claiborne County ranking first, having produced nearly 
one-fourth of the entire amount. 

Sorghum is now grown in considerable quantities in every county of 
the State. Since its introduction about thirty years ago, the production 
of the staple has steadily and rapidly increased, and it is now one of the 
most valuable crops raised. The entire production of sorghum for 1859 
amounted to 706,668 gallons. The counties producing the greatest 
quantities were Knox, 51,027 gallons; Blount, 38,594; McMinn, 27,252,. 
and Washington, 20,898. In 1879 the State produced 3,776,212 gallons.. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 245 

Lincoln County ranked first with a production of 142,357 gallons, and 
Maury County second, with a production of 137,195 gallons. Wilson, 
Giles and Rutherford each produced more than 100,000 gallons. 

Some maple sugar is also produced in many counties of the State, 
although the bulk of it is furnished by East Tennessee. In 1859 there 
was produced 115,620 pounds of sugar and 71,372 gallons of molasses, of 
which latter article Sevier County produced more than one-half. 

In 1879 only 31,296 pounds of sugar and 3,688 gallons of molasses 
were produced, Grainger County ranking first and Fentress County sec- 
ond in sugar with a production of 3,040 and 2,415 pounds respectively. 
Wilson County ranked first, and Sullivan County second, in the produc- 
tion of molasses. 

There has never been sufficient attention paid by the farmers of Ten- 
nessee to the preservation of the fertility of the soil. Land has, hith- 
erto, been so easily obtained that, leaving the future out of consideration, 
it has been cheaper to buy new land than to preserve the old. But the 
spirit of improvement which, during the past twenty years, has man- 
ifested itself in every industry in the South, has developed better systems 
of cultivation, and a more intelligent appreciation of the value of fertil- 
izers. All the stable manure and other refuse matter upon the farm is 
now carefully saved by the best farmers, and is returned to the field for 
the benefit of the future crops. On account of the small amount of stock 
kept upon the average farm, the supply of stable manure is insufficient, 
and recoui'se to other fertilizers becomes necessary. Of the green crops 
used for this purpose, here as nearly everywhere else, clover holds the 
leading place. As there is but little land in the State that will not pro- 
duce clover, no difficulty is experienced in preserving the fertility of the 
soil, and in restoring fertility where it has already been impaired. The 
native or southern pea is also used to some extent as a fertilizer. 
Recently the use of artificial or commercial fertilizers has been intro- 
duced, and is rapidly becoming general. They are more largely used 
in the cultivation of tobacco and wheat than any other crop. The amount 
of these fertilizers used in the State in 1885 was estimated at from 
10,000 to 12,000 tons, as against about 3,000 tons in 1882. The most 
extensive fertilizer manufactory in the State is the I^ational Fertilizer 
Company, with headquarters at Nashville. The company was organized 
in 1882 with D. C. Scales as president, and W. G. Sadler as secretary 
and superintendent. Their factory is located about three miles from the 
town, and has a capacity of 10,000 tons per annum. About 25 per cent 
of these products are sold in Tennessee, the remainder being distributed 
among the other Southern States. The bone phosphate which forms the 



246 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

base of their fertilizer is obtained from the phosphate rock beds of South 
Carolina. The chemical substances, with the exception of sulphuric acid, 
are imported from Europe. The company manufacture all of the latter 
substance which they use. It is generated by the action of acids upon 
what is commonly known as "iron pyrites," which contains about 45 per 
cent of sulphur. The rock containing the pyrites is obtained in quantities 
of several hundred tons at a time, from the quarries of Georgia, Illinois 
and Wisconsin. The Memphis Fertilizer Company utilizes the refuse 
from the cotton-seed oil mills as cotton-seed hull ashes and cotton-seed 
meal, which, when mixed with acid phosphates, make an excellent fertil- 
izer, especially for cotton. There are also two or three firms in the State 
engaged in the manufacture of pure bone dust. 

Tennessee, taking the twelfth rank in the sisterhood of States in the 
number of her population, aggregating 1,542,359, according to the last 
census, takes the thirteenth position in point of the value of her live- 
stock upon farms, aggregating in value $43,651,470. With only 
8,496,556 acres of improved land, there is about one -third of the area of 
the entire State, or a little more than five acres to each inhabitant, actu- 
ally available and employed. According to the tenth census there are 
for each 100 acres eighty so employed ; only three horses, three and sixth- 
tenths milch cows, five and six-tenths of all other cattle, eight sheep and 
twenty-five swine. Considering the vast area unemployed and unre- 
claimed, embracing as it does much of the best lands of the State for the 
production of the cereals and cultivated grasses, together with the magnifi- 
cent climate and admirably watered valleys, so well adapted to stock- 
growing, notwithstanding the aggregate value of live-stock making 
a large item in the wealth of the State, the percentage appears very low 
when compared with her real capacity for the development of this great 
interest. But the State is yearly attracting greater attention among 
those engaged in stock raising, and she is certainly destined to occupy a 
foremost place in this most important branch of husbandry. 

Tennessee, while possessing fewer horses according to population than 
many other States, is second to none in the fine quality of this kind of 
stock. For the past three-quarters of a century this branch of stock hus- 
bandry, has received the attention of many of the most enlightened minds 
of the State, whose time, means and zeal have been devoted to the pro- 
duction of the highest type of the equine race. As early as 1790 many 
good horses were T)rouglit into East Tennessee, and through the influence 
of Gen. Jackson, who was one of the leaders of the turf, many of them 
were afterward brought to Middle Tennessee. Since that time some of 
the finest imported horses ever brouglit to this country have been owned 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 247 

in the State, and in the hands of skillful breeders have made Tennessee 
horses renowned throughout America. Although a few central counties, 
as Davidson, Sumner, Giles, Maury, Rutherford and others, have hitherto 
devoted the greatest amount of attention to the breeding of the finest 
horses, there are many counties which vie with them in the number and 
value of their stock. In 1880 there were fourteen counties of the State 
owning over 5,000 horses, Wilson with 9,166 ranking first, and Ruther- 
ford with 9,005 occupying the second place. These figures include only 
the horses owned upon farms. Not so much attention has been paid to 
the heavy draft horse as to the roadster, the high prices obtained for the 
latter making it more profitable to the breeder. 

The mules raised in the State are nearly equal in number to the 
horses, and many of the States further south look to Tennessee for their 
supply of these animals. In 1880 Maury County owned 8,301 mules; 
Shelby, 7,094; AVilson, 6,336; Fentress, 5,602, and six other counties 
between 4,000 and 5,000 each. 

Next in importance, if second to any other, is the cattle interest of 
the State. Yet, if the natural advantages and capabilities of the State 
are taken into consideration, this branch of stock husbandry is developed 
to a very limited extent. During the war this interest suffered more 
severely than almost any other, and it has required nearly two decades 
to recover from its effects. In 1860 the number of cattle of all kinds in 
the State aggregated 764,732; in 1870, 607,038, and in 1880, 783,634; 
an increase over 1860 of less than 20,000. The improvement in quality, 
however, has been great. Notwithstanding, some few of the improved 
breeds of cattle were introduced as early as 1834 by importations from 
England and elsewhere, nothing like a general interest was manifested 
in the introduction of improved breeds, or for the general distribution of 
the more economic and valuable variety of cattle, until within the last two 
decades. Since the war, however, the spirit of improvement has awak- 
ened the farmers of the State to a higher appreciation than was ever 
before had of the superiority of good stock over bad or indifferent. 
Many very valuable Short Horns have been brought into Middle and 
West Tennessee from Kentucky, and the Lime-stone Basin has become 
noted for its good cattle. In East Tennessee several very promising 
herds of Jerseys have been introduced into various sections of the valley, 
and the interest in stock-breeding is fast becoming general. Some 
excellent herds of Ayrshires, Devons and Holsteins are owned in various 
parts of the State, but the greatest number are found in the middle divis- 
ion. In the rougher and more mountainous regions, the native breeds, 
•on account of their natural hardiness and endurance, will undoubtedly 
continue to be raised more largely than any other. 



248 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

There is no State in the Union that in climate, physical features, and 
productions excels Tennessee in the proportion of her territory adapted 
to the successful prosecution of the important industry of wool-growing. 
The vast plateaus and extensive ridges and valleys of the eastern division 
of the State seem almost to have been formed especially for the production 
of wool, while the table-lands of the middle and western division are 
scarcely to be excelled for grazing purposes. Notwithstanding these great 
natural advantages, the aggregate number of sheep in Tennessee accord- 
ino- to the last census was only 673,117, a decrease of 204,606 in ten 
years. This diminution in the number of sheep kept is largely owing 
to the fact that there is practically no legal protection for the property 
of the flock owner from the ravages of vicious dogs. Many sheep are 
annually killed by these depredators, and farmers are thereby discour- 
ao-ed from what would otherwise be one of the most profitable depart- 
ments of husbandry. But while the number of sheep in the State has 
lar*Telv decreased, it is probable that the valuation of the flocks is fully 
equal to, if it does not exceed, that of ten years ago. This improvement in 
the quality of the stock is evidenced by the fact that although the num- 
ber of sheep in 1880 was one-fourth less than in 1870, the wool clip of 
the former year exceeded in amount that produced in 1870 by nearly 
one-half. The pioneer in the breeding of fine sheep in Tennessee was 
Mark 11. Cockrill, of Davidson County. At the great London exhibition 
held in 1819-50, where every nation in the world was represented, he was 
awarded the grand medal for the finest specimen of wool exhibited. Af- 
ter making a careful study of the wool of every country, he fearlessly 
maintained that the peculiar climate and soil and protecting agencies of 
Tennessee, would make it the best wool-growing region under the sun. 
and he proved it by wresting the premium for the finest fleece from the 
assembled wool-growers of the world. Yet with this example before th^m, 
the majority of farmers, if they raised any sheep at all, were content 
with the half -wild animal which may still be found roaming at large in 
som 3 sections of the State. In late years, however, many counties have, 
introduced in addition to the Merino, the Cotswold, Southdown and Lei- 
cester, all of which have proved profitable. 

The adaptation of the soil of Tennessee to Indian corn renders it one 
peculiarly fitted for the growth of swine, and in 1850 she took first rank 
as a hog-growing State. The following figures show the number of hogs 
reported in the State at the beginning of each decade from 1840. 1840, 
2,926,607; 1850, 3,104,800; 1860, 2,347,321; 1870, 1,828,690; 1880, 
2,160,495. This industry became well nigh annihilated during the civil 
war, but owing to the rapid reproduction of this animal, the State is now 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 249 

producing as many hogs as in 18G0. Swine are probably more suscepti- 
ble of rapid improvement, by judicious care and breeding, than almost 
any other class of domestic animals. Hence in renewing their herds, 
many of the more enterprising farmers, recognizing the importance of 
introducing improved breeds, made large importations of Berkshires, 
Poland China, Essex, Jersey Beds, and other standard varieties. These 
importations have since continued, and such is the perfection to which 
the hogs of the State are bred, it is questionable if finer specimens are 
to be found in any other portion of the United States, or in Europe. 

More or less poultry is raised or allowed to breed on all farms in 
Tennessee, but as a general rule the fowls receive but little attention. 
In East Tennessee, however, the raising of poultry for market is growing 
into an industry of considerable importance. The value of this interest 
is usually under-estimated. In 1880 there were over 16,000,000 dozen 
eggs produced, and the number of fowls in the State exceeded 5,000,000. 
The natural aptitude of the soils of Tennessee for the production of 
valuable grasses has already been noticed. That it has natural ad- 
vantages for the economical production of butter and cheese would 
almost follow as a necessary consequence. Yet so little have the dairy 
interests been developed that in 1879 Tennessee, compared with the other 
States of the Union, stood fourteenth in the amount of butter made upon 
farms, and twenty-third. in the production of cheese, while in the amount 
of milk sold to butter and cheese factories she stood the twenty-fifth, the 
amount being only 1,006,795 gallons. With natural advantages equal 
to those of the great dairy States, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, 
Tennessee has not until very recently produced butter and cheese in 
sufficient quantities to supply the home demand. Within the past few 
years, however, the establishment of creameries has given the industry a 
decided impetus, and in many counties, it bids fair to become the most 
profitable branch of husbandry. The Tennessee Creamery Company, 
with headquarters in Nashville, and operating in Middle Tennessee, has 
done much toward the development of the dairy business in that section. 
The prices paid for milk by these creameries are fully one-third more 
than are paid in New York and Pennsylvania, yet they are able to com- 
pete successfully in the markets with the butter makers of any other 
State. The following was written by a Avell known authority upon the 
subject: "Tennessee has many eminent advantages as a dairy State. 
It can make butter as cheap or cheaper than any other State, because 
good grazing lands are cheaper ; because it is the most southern State 
that grows a variety of grasses and forage jDlants ; because the climate is 
mild, and cows have access for a longer period to those succulent grasses 



250 HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 

which are so promotive o£ the heavy flood of milk, and consequently 
winter dairies can be carried on for a greater length of time," That the 
dairy interests of Tennessee are rapidly advancing is evident from the 
fact that the butter production for 1879 was double that of 18G9, and it 
is safe to say that the increase during the present decade will be corre- 
spondingly great. 

From the first settling of the State it has been the custom of a large 
majority of the farmers to secure a few colonies of bees as a necessary 
adjunct to a well stocked farm, but it was not until the introduction of 
improved hives, artificial swarming, movable combs and extractors that 
it was pursued as a separate vocation. At present there are many per- 
sons who engage in this business almost exclusively, and whose profits 
are satisfactory. In the year 1850 tlie number of pounds of bees-wax and 
honey reported for Tennessee was 1,036,572; in 1860, the amount of 
bees-wax was 98,882 pounds, and of honey, 1,519,390 pounds; in 1870, 
51,685 pounds of bees-wax, and 1,039,550 pounds of honey. The decrease 
for 1870 is doubtless due to the effect of the war. In 1880 the amount 
of honey reported was 2,130,689 pounds, and of wax 86,421 pounds, 
which places Tennessee first among the States of the Union in apiarian 
products. These results are due not only to the increased number of 
bees kept, but to the improved methods of handling them and to the 
introduction of Italian bees, which were first brought into the State in 
the year 1866. Tennessee has the best climate and the greatest variety 
of food for bees of any State, having all the forage j^lants of both the 
North and the South, while it has some that are not found in either. 
The climate, too, is especially adapted to bee culture, being a medium 
one with mild and short winters and agreeable summers. 

Perhaps no industry in Tennessee has made greater advancement in 
the past twenty years tlian that of grape growing, the admirable adapta- 
tion of the soil and climate to which Avas in a great measure unknown or 
neglected until since the close of the war. One of the first efforts to 
grow grapes in the State was made by P. F. Tavel, a Swiss, who came to 
Stewart County in 1844. The varieties he planted being imported failed 
to do well, and the attempt Avas abandoned under the impression that the 
climate was not propitious for the culture of the fruit. Some ten years 
later a few enterprising persons in various parts of the State, after in- 
specting the vineyards around Cincinnati, were induced to plant a few 
vines of the Isabella and Catawba varieties. Among these early pioneers 
in grape growing were James Clark and Rebecca Dudley, of Montgom- 
ery County, who, long before wine making in Tennessee was thought 
possible, planted and successfully managed several acres of vines, and 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 251 

made wine that by reason of its excellence and flavor soon became famous 
throughout the country. The varieties they planted, however, were not 
suited to the latitude, and the frequent failures of their vineyards in- 
duced the belief that Tennessee could never be made a grape growing 
State. For a time they even were discouraged, but eventually came to 
the conclusion that the failures arose rather from the unsuitableness of 
the varieties than from the nature of the location, soil or climate. Act- 
ing upon this belief some new kinds, among which were the Ives Seedling 
and Concord, were planted and were found to thrive so well that the old 
vineyards were abandoned. Since that time grapes have been very suc- 
cessfully and profitably grown in nearly every section of the State. 
Several different varieties are planted, but for wine the two above named 
predominate. 

From the days of the earliest settlers, even among the Indians, excel- 
lent apples have been grown in Tennessee, and there is scarcely a county 
in the State that, with proper cultivation, will not produce them abun- 
dantly. The most favorable localities for apples, as well as other of the 
larger fruits, are the river lands of Middle Tennessee, the great plateau of 
West Tennessee and the hillsides of the eastern division. These localities 
are equal to the most favored regions of New York and Pennsylvania. Until 
within the 'past few years the raising of apples has been mainly confined 
to the supply for domestic purposes. Most of the old orchards are stocked 
with native varieties, but new and improved late varieties are now being 
introduced, and the acreage of orchards is rapidly increasing. Several 
extensive orchards have recently been planted on the river lands in Rob- 
ertson County, and also by the Ruby community, in Morgan County. 

Of the cultivated berries the strawberry is the most largely raised, 
and it grows with vigor and productiveness in every portion of the State. 
The planting and crops of these berries in the vicinity of Chattanooga is 
said to have doubled annually for the past five years. The shipments 
of them for the season of 1882 aggregated 143,822 pounds; for the sea- 
son of 1884, 457,846 pounds, and for the season of 1885, 814,574 pounds. 
Nearly all portions of "West Tennessee, but more especially the northern 
counties, are unsurpassed for the production of this fruit, and large and 
annually increasing quantities are shipped to the cities of the North. With 
the advantages of soil, climate and transportation facilities the possibili- 
ties of this business are unlimited. 

The cultivation of raspberries, blackberries and dew-berries has not 
been extensively engaged in on account of the luxuriance and perfection 
with which they gi'ow in the wild state. Berries of the finest flavor and 
of large size grow wild along the fence-rows, in ''old fields"' and in the 



252 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



forest. For the production of all kinds of small fruits Tennessee stands 
superior to any other State in the Union. 

From the following lists of exports* from Madison County for 1884 
some idea of the extent of the fruit growing industry in West Tennessee 
may be obtained: Apples, 8,000 barrels; pears, 3,000 barrels; peaches, 
2,500 crates; plums, 550 crates; strawberries, 22,000 crates; other fruits, 
10,000 crates. 

The shipments from Chattanooga for the same season were, in 
pounds: Peaches, plums, and pears, 86,115; blackberries, 208,208; rasp- 
berries, 2,465; strawberries, 457,816; and grapes, 16,733. Tie shipment 
of peaches for the season of 1885 amounted to 446,266 pounds. 



CENSUS BEPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION WITH THE RELATIVE RANK 

OF TENNESSEE. 





1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 


PPvODUCTS. 


Amount 


Rank 


Amount 


Rank 


Amount 


Rank 


Amount 


Bank 


Amount 


Rank 


Wheat 


(Bushels) 

4,569,692 

44,986,188 

7,035,678 

304,320 

4,809 

17,118 

1,904,370 

(Pounds) 

27,701,277 

29,550.432 

(Tons) 

31,233 


6 

1 

6 

12 

21 

15 


1,619,386 

52,276,223 

7,703,086 

89,137 

2,737 

19,427 

1,067,844 

2,777,716 

(Bales) 

194,532 
20,148,932 


13 

5 
8 
15 
24 
18 
16 
6 

5 
4 

21 

11 
19 
4 
14 


5,459,268 

52,089,926 

2,267,814 

257,989 

25,144 

14,481 

1,182,005 

2,604,672 

296,464 
43,448,097 

143,499 

10,017,787 

1.35,575 

1,519,300 

115,620 

(Gallons) 

74,372 

706,663 

5^305,1)03 

290,882 
126,335 
102,158 
249,514 
413,060 
773,517 
2,347,321 

$60,211,425 

6,795,337 

S271. 358,985 


13 

6 
17 
16 
21 
24 
21 

6 

8 
3 

22 

15 
22 
5 
17 

9 
6 

IS 

9 
1 

7 

10 
15 
11 

4 

C 

9 

8 


6,188,916 

41,343,614 

4,51,3,315 

223,335 

75,068 

77,437 

1,124,337 

1,205,683 

181,842 
21,465,452 

116,582 

9,571,069 
142,240 

1,039,550 
134,968 

4,843 
1,254,701 

$571,520 

247,254 
102,903 
63,970 
243,197 
336,529 
826,783 
1,828,690 

$55,084,075 

6,843,278 
S218,743,747 


13 
7 
13 
17 
22 
16 
22 
8 

8 
3 

24 

13 

18 
5 
18 

18 
6 

21 

11 
2 
5 
12 
11 
12 
5 

9 

9 
12 


7,331,-353 

62,764,429 

4,722,190 

156,419 

30,019 

33,434 

1,354,481 

2,369,901 

330,621 
29,365,052 

186,698 

17,886,369 

98,740 

2,130,689 

31,296 

3,688 
3,776,212 

$919,844 

266,119 
173,498 
27,312 
303,900 
452,462 
672,789 
2,160,495 

8 43,651,470 

8,496,556 

8206,749,837 


18 


Corn 


9 


Oats 


16 


Rye 


21 




29 




21 




25 


Sweet Potatoes j 

Cotton 


5 


7 
3 


9 




5 


Hay 




74,091 

(Pounds) 

8,139,585 

177,681 

tl, 036, 572 

158,557 


26 


Butter 




14 








22 








1 








20 








IS 












2 


Value ol' Orchard 






852,894 

270,636 

75,303 

86,255 

250,456 

414,051 

811,591 

3,104,800 

829,978,016 

5,175,173 
S97,851,212 


19 

7 
1 
4 
7 
14 
9 
1 

5 

8 
9 


16 




Number 
341,409 


5 


14 




2 








14 








13 


Other Cattle 






15 




741,593 
2,926,607 


7 

1 


16 




7 


Value of all Live 
Stock 


13 


Acres of Improved 






14 


Value of Farms 






14 



♦Estimated. 

tWax and honey combined. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 253 



CHAPTER IX. 

Growth and Development Concluded— The Timber Interests— Kind and 
Quantity of Native Wood — Manufactories — Iron Products and Ship- 
ments—The Early Furnaces— The Present Enormous Returns— Min- 
eral Companies— [RON Manufactures — The Coal Consumption and Ex- 
ports—The Marble Quarries— Quality, Quantity and Market— The 
Yield of Copper Ore— The Production of Flour, Cotton and Woolen 
<rOOD8, Gunpowder, Paper, Leather, Whisky, Cotton-seed Oil, etc. — 
The Bureau of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines— What it has 
Accomplished. 

FEW States of the Union have a larger proportionate area of valuable 
timber lands than Tennessee. With a superficial area of 26,000,- 
000 acres, she has in farms a little over 20,000,000 acres, 54 per cent 
of which consists of woodland. The States having an equal or 
greater percentage of timber land are Florida, having 66 per cent; Ar- 
kansas, 65; North Carolina, 62; West Virginia, 61; Georgia, 59; Missis- 
sippi, 58; Alabama, 55; Louisiana, 55, and South Carolina, 54. If the 
value of the timber is considered Tennessee without a doubt exceeds 
"them all. In her forests may be found almost every variety of tree 
known to the United States. This is due to the difference of elevation 
in the State, which produces a great diversity of climate, and to the ex- 
istence of a variety of soil. Some portions of West Tennessee are cov- 
ered with heavy forests, the magnificience of which are unsurpassed in 
America. The river swamps in this part of the State still contain large 
bodies of cypress, while the hills are covered with oaks, hickories and 
other hard-wood trees. The central portion of the State, now more 
largely cleared than either of the other divisions, was once covered with 
forests of hard wood, cc^nsiderable bodies of which still remain upon the 
land least fit for agricultural purposes, or remote from railroads. Nearly 
through the center of this middle district, extending north and south, 
the "cedar glades" occupy an extensive region. The eastern portion of 
the State is covered with a heavy forest of oak and other hard woods, 
mixed at high elevation with hemlock, pine and spruce, and constituting 
one of the finest bodies of timber in the United States. 

As a catalog and description of all the various varieties of timber 
in the State would require a volume, only a few of the most important 
will be noticed. Of the oak Tennessee has twelve or more species, the 
most valuable of which is the white oak. This tree attains an enormous 



254 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

size iu the valley of the Tennessee, and in the first and second tier of 
river counties of West Tennessee. It is found iu considerable quantities 
in many parts of East Tennessee, the best being on the ridges in the 
western part of that division, or in the counties resting against the Cum- 
berland Table-land, and also in the slojjes of the Unaka Mountains. The 
ridges and valleys lying on Duck and Buffalo Rivers are also covered 
with this tree, and it is pretty generally scattered through all the wooded 
district of the Highland Rim. The timber from this tree is used in the 
manufacture of wagons and agricultural implements and for staves and 
fence rails. White oak lumber sells at the mills for $18 to $20 per 1,000 
feet, according to demand and accessibility. 

The red oak grows in nearly every portion of the State, and furnishes 
the greater part of the staves for tobacco hogsheads and flour barrels. 
A large proportion of the charcoal consumed by the furnaces is also 
manufactured from this timber. The post oak is found in all parts of 
the State, and grows where the soil is dry, gravelly and thin. It is used 
extensively for railroad ties, being solid, tough, close-grained and hard 
to split. The chestnut oak thrives on high, poor, barren and rocky soil, 
and upon such may be found in every division of the State, but especially 
upon the leached soils of the Highland Rim. It is chiefly valuable for 
its bark, which is richer in tanning than that of any other tree. The 
black oak is found in considerable quantities in the Highland Rim, es- 
pecially those portions which have a rich loamy soil; as in Montgomery, 
and parts of Stewart and Robertson Counties. Much of this timber is 
annually made into boards and staves, many thousands of the latter being 
shipped to the St. Louis market. The scarlet oak is found in abundance 
in East Tennessee, growing in moist places. It is also found in the 
small swampy spots in Middle and West Tennessee, though not in suflfi- 
cient quantities to make it of particular interest or profit. Black jack 
oak covers a considerable portion of the "barrens," but as a timber tree^ 
it is of little value. Other species of oaks are found in the State, but 
not in sufficient quantities to make them of much worth. 

The black walnut is pretty generally distributed over all the rich soils 
of the State. Its growth is an unerring indication of fertility. It 
abounds in the Central Basin, and grows on the better part of the High- 
lands. It also flourishes on the north sides of ridges and in the valleys 
of East Tennessee, and attains a marvellous size upon the calcareo-sili- 
ceous soil of the western division. Probably no State east of the Missis- 
sippi has a greater quantity of this valuable timber. The uses to which 
it is put are familiar to all. The butternut or white walnut grows upon 
the margins of streams and is sometimes found on rich northern slopes.. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 200 

It is scattered over almost as great an extent of territory as the black 
walnut. The wood from this tree is durable but not strong, and is some- 
times used in ornamental work for giving variety and contrast. 

Of the hickory there are six species found in Tennessee, the most 
important of which are tho scaly-bark and the common hickory. The 
latter grows well upon all soils of middling quality in the State, and is 
found in abundance in what are called the "hickory barrens," on the 
Highland Rim. It rarely attains a greater diameter than eighteen 
inches. When of this size it is worked up into axles for wagons, spokes 
and felloes for carriages, and into ax handles ; when small it is used for 
barrel and hogshead hoops and for box casings. The scaly -bark hickory 
seeks a fertile soil upon river banks and rich hill sides. It grows to a 
much larger size and splits more readily than the species described. It 
is employed for the same purposes. 

Of the two species of ash met with in the State the white ash is the 
most common. It was formerly very plentiful in every part of the State, 
but is now growing scarce, except in places remote from facilities for 
transportation. It finds its most congenial soil in the caves and north 
sides of mountains, and in the rich lands of the Central Basin and West 
Tennessee. The largest trees to be met with are in Bedford County, 
some of which have attained a diameter of six feet. The wood is highly 
esteemed by wheelwrights, carriage-makers, ship-builders and manufact- 
urers of agricultural implements, and is especially valuable for flooring. 
The green or blue ash is found only along water-courses. 

The beech is a common growth throughout the State upon the moist 
soils lying upon the streams. The most extended groves are found in 
Macon, Trousdale, Smith, Sumner, Cannon, Bedford and other counties 
of the Basin. But little of it is converted into lumber, and it is chiefly 
valuable for fuel. When seasoned the wood is extremely hard and solid. 
It is used for plow-stocks, shoe-lasts and the handles of tools. 

Chestnut is a valuable timber on account of its durability, and is 
abundant in the State. Large forests are found on the ridges of East 
Tennessee, on the sandstone soils of the Cumberland Table-land, and in 
portions of the Highland Rim, especially in the counties of Lawrence, 
Wayne, Hickman and Perry. 

Upon the first settlement of the State cedar forests were as abundant 
in the Central Basin as those of oak and poplar. The demands of the 
agriculturist, ^combined with the export trade, however, have nearly ex- 
hausted the supply in Davidson, Williamson, Sumner and Rutherford 
Counties. The best forests are now found in Marshall, Wilson, Bedford 
and Maury, covering in the aggregate nearly 300 square miles. Occa- 



256 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

sional trees of a valuable size are still seen upon the banks of a majority 
of the streams in Middle Tennessee. Nowhere else in the United States 
are there found such splendid trees of this timber. In the counties of 
Marshall and Bedford solid cedar logs have been cut that would square 
twenty-four inches for a distance of thirty feet. 

The cypress finds its most congenial home and attains its highest de- 
velopment in the swamps lying on the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, 
where it is found in coiisiderable quantities. Owing to its peculiar 
character it rarely grows in company with other trees, but stands in iso- 
lated forests, rearing its long white trunk high into the upper air, while 
its roots permeate the deep black soil, which is often covered with water 
of an inky blackness. A great quantity of cypress timber is made into 
shin<>-les and staves for sugar hogsheads and molasses barrels. Set in 
the ground it resists decay for a great while, which makes it a valuable 
timber for fencing. 

The pine is one of the most abundant, and at the same time one of 
the most valuable of the forest growths of the State. There are two 
species, the white and the yellow. The latter grows in considerable quan- 
tities in the vicinity of Knoxville, and in many of the parallel ridges in 
the valley of East Tennessee. It is also found in extensive forests in the 
Cumberland Table-land, and forms considerable belts in Hardin and 
Lawrence Counties. Patches are found on the south hill-sides of Wayne, 
and in less quantities in several counties of the Highland Rim and West 
Tennessee. It abounds on poor soils, those usually of sandstone, but often 
on red clay with gravel. It takes possession of abandoned old fields, and 
grows with rapidity when the soil is too sterile to produce other vegeta- 
tion. In the regions where it abounds it forms the principal timbers for 
domestic purposes. The white pine is not so abundant as the preceding ; 
it is distributed in greater or less quantities over the slopes of the Unaka 
Mountains, and is found locally on the Cumberland Table-land. It grows 
to a larger size th.an the yellow pine, and makes a quality of lumber 
highly prized on account of its lightness and comparative freedom from 
resinous exudations. 

There are several varieties of poplar, known locally as blue, white 
and yellow poplar, the last named being the most valuable as a timber 
tree. This grows upon rich soils almost everywhere. The finest specimens 
in the State are to be found in Obion and Dyer Counties, West Tennessee, 
and in Maury and Macon, in Middle Tennessee. Trees twenty and twenty- 
five feetin circumference, and from sixty to seventy feet to the first limb, are 
often met with. The wealth of poplar timber is very great in almost every 
part of the State, and millions of feet are annually shipped by river and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 257 

rail. It is more used in the construction of houses than any other wood ; 
the studding and clap-boards, sills and joints, rafters and shingles, in a 
large proportion of frame buildings being made from this timber. 

The sycamore, plane or cotton-wood is found growing on the margins 
of streams in nearly every section of the State. It grows with rapidity, 
and is troublesome on account of the sprouts that it sends up from the 
stump. The wood is used in cabinet shops, and makes a beautiful article 
of furniture. Only as a firewood is it regarded with any favor by the 
farmer, as it does not split, and speedily decays when exposed to the 
weather. 

Two very different species of trees are commonly called gum ; both 
are quite abundant in Tennessee. The black gum is usually found upon 
rich, moist soils, and grows to a considerable size where the soil is favor- 
able to its growth. It is a valuable timber for hubs, and is much used 
for that purpose on account of the difficulty with which it splits. The 
sweet gum is found in wet marshy places in every part of the State. 
Large quantities of it are manufactured into plank, which is used for 
coarse work; it is cheaper than poplar but decays much more rapidly. 

The linden or bass-wood, is abundant in the blue grass region of the 
Central Basin, and in some localities in East Tennessee. As a timber 
tree it is chiefly valuable for making firkin staves. 

Black or yellow locust, flourishes iipon the slopes of the Highland 
and Cumberland Mountains, and also upon the sides of the Unakas. It 
is also found upon the north sides of Clinch and Powell Mountains, and 
grows upon the glady places of the Central Basin, where no other tree 
will survive. This tree rarely attains a greater size than one foot in 
diameter and a height of thirty or forty feet ; but it grows with rapidity 
and in ten years makes good posts or railroad ties. 

There are three species of maple found in Tennessee, the sugar- 
maple, the red flowering maple and the white maple. The first abounds 
in the coves of the mountains and on the rich bottoms of the streams. 
It formerly covered a large portion of the Central Basin, and was the 
chief reliance of the early settlers for sugar. The wood of this tree has 
a remarkable beauty. One variety of it, the bird's-eye maple, has an 
exquisite appearance, the fibres being contorted into little knots resem- 
bling the eye of a bird. This timber is still quite abundant in nearly 
every part of the State, and is yearly becoming more valuable. The red 
flowering maple grows in wet soils and on the marshy margin of streams, 
and in such localities is quite plentiful in every division of the State. 
The wood is hard and close grained. It is valuable for cabinet work, 
the most beautiful varieties selling higher than mahogany. 



258 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Of the elm there are also three species, the white elm, the' slippery 
elm and the wahoo witch, or cork elm. The first is widely distributed iu 
considerable quantities throughout the State, and is by far the largest of 
the elms, attaining in favorable localities as much as 100 feet in height 
and 5 feet in diameter. The other two varieties are, perhaps, as widely 
distributed, but are not so abundant as the white elm. None of the 
species are of much value for either timber or fuel. 

Cotton-wood is confined almost exclusively to the alluvial bottoms of 
the Mississippi in West Tennessee. It grows very large, towering high 
in the air, darkening the landscape with its thick foliage. The wood is 
white, soft and easily cut. Its chief value is for fuel, being used in 
great quantities by the steam-boats that ply on the Mississippi. 

Of the firs there are two species found in the State, the balsam fir 
and the black fir or spruce. Some of the highest mountain peaks are 
covered with the former variety, which is seldom met with at a lower 
elevation than 4,000 feet. The dark foliage of the tree has given the 
name to the Black Mountains of North Carolina, and makes the charac- 
teristic feature of many .of the highest peaks of ,the Unakas. Being in- 
accessible it is 'rarely made into lumber, though the trunks often reach 
100 feet in diameter. The black fir is found in the same localities. 

As a shrub sassafras is found in every portion of the State, but most 
abundantly in the valley of East Tennessee and upon the Highland Eim. 
It is a great pest to the farmer, sometimes covering a field with sprouts 
almost as thickly and continuously as if sown. These shrubs upon their 
soil never reach the dimensions of a tree, and rarely attain a size sufficient 
for fence-stakes. In West Tennessee, however, the sassafras is one of 
the largest trees of the forest. A specimen of this species was found in 
Obion County which measured sixty inches in diameter, exclusive of the 
bark. The wood is soft, brittle and close grained, and is used for house 
studding and to some extent for the manufacture of furniture. 

The trees mentioned constitute the great bulk of the timber in Ten- 
nessee, but there are many other varieties which have a special interest. 
Among them are the buck-eye, mulberry, wild cherry, dogwood, tupelo, 
pecan, catalpa, cucumber, laurel, holly, hornbeam, box elder, chinqua- 
pin, crab apple, hackberry, v/illow, birch and persimmon. 

The development of the manufacturing and other industrial enter- 
prises in Tennessee since the close of the civil war has been almost 
unprecedented, and especially is this true of the lumber business. No 
trade during the past twenty years has exhibited a more uniform and 
substantial growth than that embraced in the manufacture and distribu- 
tion of lumber, and no industry with the exception of iron, gives employ- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 259 

ment to a greater number of persons and requires a larger investment of 
capital. The principal center of this industry in the State is Nashville, 
which now ranks fifth in the importance as a lumber market, and third in 
size as a manufacturing center. The annual value of her lumber pro- 
duction amounts to about $5,000,000. The annual shipments of rough 
and manufactured lumber reach nearly 120,000,000 feet. It is sent to 
nearly every city in the United States, and large quantities are exported 
to London, Liverpool, Hamburg, and other European points. Although 
during later years considerable amounts have been received by rail, 
the chief supply of logs and lumber is received by the Cumberland 
Eiver, one of the greatest logging streams for its length in the world. 
The chief lumber staple of Nashville is the yellow poplar, although that 
■city stands at the head of all Southern cities as a hard-wood market, and 
has the largest trade in black walnut lumber of any market in the United 
States. It is also the distributing point for the famous Tennessee red 
cedar. The beginning of this industry in Nashville may be said to date 
from 1840, when the first steam saw-mill was erected. From that time 
until the war the lumber operations were confined almost exclusively to 
the local trade. The only shipments of any consequence were red cedar 
rafted to Memphis, Helena and New Orleans, and consisting mostly of 
railroad ties. Within the past ten years the business has developed 
wonderfully, and the volume of capital invested is annually increasing. 
In 1870 there were but three saw-mills and six planing-mills. There 
are now within the limits of the city thirteen saw-mills, twelve planing- 
mills and thii'ty-five firms engaged in the lumber trade. 

The second city in importance as a lumber center is probably Chat- 
tanooga. The mills in that city now cut annually from 14,000,000 
to 20,000,000 feet of lumber, while those in the country tributary to it 
cut not less than 100,000,000 feet more. Of this latter product about 
30,000,000 feet is handled by Chattanooga dealers, and used by her 
wood- working establishments. Large amounts of pine, both yellow and 
white, as well as nearly all the varieties of hard wood are manufactured 
into lumber and shipped to Northern cities. In addition to the plow and 
other agricultural implement manufactories which consume a large 
amount of lumber there are in Chattanooga nine establishments engaged 
in manufacturing chair furniture, pumps, handles, and wooden jvare, 
which represent in the aggregate an investment of over $350,000. These 
factories gives employment to more than 500 hands, and turn out 
annually manufactured products to the value of $500,000. Few of these 
establishments date their existence back of 1870, and the majority of 
them have been put into operation the present decade. 



260 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Memphis is also a lumber center of importance. Its mills are sup- 
plied by raft from the Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee Rivers, and 
saw large quantities of cypress, ash, poplar, hickory, gum, and black 

walnut. 

This industry in Knoxville also is developing rapidly, and that city, 
situated as it is in one of the finest timber regions in the world, will in a 
few years, no doubt, rival any other point in the State, especially in the 
manufacture of pine and hard-wood lumber. Every county in the State 
manufactures lumber in greater or less quantities. According to the 
last census the number of saw-mills in Tennessee was 755, representing 
an investment of capital to the amount of $2,004,500, and making 
$3, 7 44, 90 5 worth of products annually. Could a report of this industry 
be obtained at the present time these figures would be largely increased. 
The following table exhibits the condition in 1880 of the manufactures 
which are altogether or very largely dependent upon timber for raw 
material : 

No. ofEstab- Value of 

lishments. Capital. Products. 

Agricultural implements 33 $161,030 f 183,116 

Boxes 3 33,500 46,000 

Coffins, caskets, etc 37 40,485 75,900 

Carriages and wagons ." 51 715,050 1,253,731 

Cooperage 53 36,350 153,375 

Sash, doors and blinds 8 183,500 268.230 

Wooden ware 3 99,430 347,350 

Furniture 85 511,250 954,100 

The making of white oak staves for the European market has grown 
to be quite an important industry. The number annually shipped from 
the lower Tennessee River, and made in Hardin, Wayne, Perry, Hum- 
phreys and Stewart Counties is over 1,500,000. About one-half of the 
quantity is shipped out of the Cumberland. In their rough state they 
command at New Orleans usually from $80 to $150 per thousand. 

The industry of first importance to Tennessee, and for which she has 
resources unexcelled by any State in the Union, is the manufacture of 
iron and its manipulation into forms of utility. Although this indus- 
try, as it now exists, has grown up in the past twenty years, its history 
dates back into the last century. The first settlers of Tennessee erected 
iron works within its limits soon after the close of the Revolution. A 
bloomary was built in Washington County in 1790, and another at Eliza- 
bethton, on Doe River in Carter County, about 1795. Wagner's bloom- 
ary, on Roane Creek, in Johnson County, is said to have been built in the 
same year. A bloomary was also erected on Camp Creek, in Greene 
County, in 1797. Two bloomaries in Jefferson County, the Mossy Creek 
Forge, ten miles tnorth of Dandridge, and Dumpling Eorge, five miles 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 261 

west of "Dandridge, were built in the same year. At about tlie sanie 
time, if not earlier, David Ross, the proprietor of iron works in Campbell 
County, Va., erected a large furnace and forge at the junction of the two 
forks of the Holston River, in Sullivan County, near the Virginia line, on 
the great road from Knoxville to Philadelphia. It is said that boats of 
twenty-five tons' burden, could ascend to Ross' iron works, and that at 
Long Island, a short distance above on the Holston, boats were built to 
transport iron and castings, made in considerable quantities at these 
works, with other produce, to the lower settlements and to New Orleans. 
A bloomary was built about 1795 below the mouth of the Watauga, and 
another at the same time about twenty-five miles above the mouth of 
French Broad River, and thirty miles above Knoxville. In what is now 
known as Middle Tennessee, iron was also made during the last decade 
of the last centurj-. A few years after the founding of Nashville, iron ore 
was discovered about thirty miles west of the future city. Between 1790 
and 1795 Cumberland Furnace was erected on Iron Fork of Barton's 
Creek, in Dickson County, seven miles northwest of Charlotte. This 
furnace was rebuilt in 1825, and is still in operation. This county, with 
Stewart and Montgomery Counties, afterward became very prominent in 
the manufacture of charcoal and pig-iron. The first furnace in Montgom- 
ery County was probably on Yellow Creek, fourteen miles southwest of 
Clarksville, built in 1802. The enterprises of these early iron workers 
assume a picturesque aspect, when viewed in connection with the primi- 
tive methods of manufacture which were employed by them, and which, 
in some portions of East Tennessee, have been continued to the present 
day. Their charcoal furnaces were blown through one tuyere with 
wooden tubs, adjusted to attachments which were slow in motion, and which 
did not make the best use of the water-power that was often insufficiently 
supplied by mountain streams of limited volume. A ton or two of iron a 
day in the shape of pigs or castings was a good yield. The bloomaries, 
with scarcely an exception, were furnished with a trompe or water-blast 
in a small stream with a suitable fall supplying both the blast for the fires 
and the power which turned the wheel that moved the hammer. Of cast 
iron cylinders, steam power, two tuyeres, and many other improvements 
in the charcoal-iron industry, these people knew but little. They were 
pioneers and frontiersmen in every sense; from the world of invention 
and progress they were shut out by mountains and streams and hun- 
dreds of miles of unsubdued forests. It is to their credit, and it should 
not be forgotten, that they diligently sought to utilize the resources 
which they found under their feet, and that they were not discouraged 
from undertaking a difficult task, because the only means for its accom- 



262 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

plisliment of which they had any knowledge were crude in conception 
and often very difficult to obtain. 

The iron industry of Tennessee, however, made steady progress after 
the opening of the present century. Both furnaces and bloomaries mul- 
tiplied rapidly. In 1850 there were enumerated over 75 forges and 
})loomaries, 71 furnaces, and 4 rolling-mills in the State, each of which 
had been in operation at some period after 1790. Of the furnaces, 29 
were in East Tennessee, and 42 in Middle and West Tennessee. Of the 
latter, 14 were in Stewart County, 12 in Montgomery, 7 in Dickson, 2 in 
Hickman, 2 in Perry, 2 in Decatur, 2 in Wayne, and 1 in Hardin Coun- 
tv. The furnaces in East Tennessee were mainly in Sullivan and Car- 
ter Counties, Sullivan having 5, and Carter 7 ; but Johnson, Washington, 
Greene, Cocke, Sevier, Monroe, Hamilton, Claiborne, Campbell, Grainger 
and Union Counties, each had 1 or 2 furnaces, while Eoane County had 
3. The forges and bloomaries were mainly located in East Tennessee. 
Johnson County contained 15, Carter 10, Sullivan 6, Washington 3, 
Greene 10, Campbell 7, Blount 4, Eoane 7, Khea 3, and a few other 
counties 1 and 2 each. Nearly all of these were bloomaries. In West 
Tennessee there were less than a dozen refinery forges, and 1 or 2 
bloomaries. These forges were mainly employed, from about 1825 to 
1860, in the manufacture of blooms for rolling-mills, many of which were 
sold to mills in the Ohio Valley. Most of the furnaces, forges and bloom- 
aries enumerated have been abandoned. There still remain in the State 
20 charcoal furnaces and about the same number of forges and bloom- 
aries. Cumberland Rolling-mill, on the left bank of the Cumberland 
River, in Stewart County, was built in 1829. It was, probably, the first 
establishment of the kind in the State, and was the only one as late 
as 1856. 

Since the close of the civil war, Chattanooga has become the most 
prominent iron center in Tennessee, having several iron enterprises of 
its own, and others in its vicinity. In 1854, Bluff Furnace was built to 
use charcoal, and at the beginning of the war, in 1861, the erection of the 
Vulcan Rolling-mill, to roll bar iron, was commenced. This mill was not 
finished in 1800, when it was burned by the Union forces. It was rebuilt 
in 1866. In 1864 a rolling-mill, to re-roll iron rails, was erected by the 
United States Government, under the supervision of John Fritz, superin- 
tendent of the Cambria Iron Works. In 1809 it was purchased by tlie 
Roane Iron Company, who at once put in puddling furnaces and began 
making iron rails. This company, the year previous, had purchased a 
large tract of land about seventy miles north of Chattanooga, in Roane 
County, and had built a small furnace with a capacity of about 9,000 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 263 

1 

tons per year. The business was successful, and the company soon be- 
gan the erection of another and larger furnace, which was put in blast 
in 1872. Working capacity of the two, about 20,000 tons annually, 
which have since been doubled. The first open-hearth steel made in 
any Southern State, was made by this company, by the Siemens-Martin 
process, at Chattanooga, June 6, 1878. 

The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company own three furnaces 
situated at Cowan and South Pittsburg, which have a combined capacity 
of about 75,000 tons. The one at the former place was built in 1880, 
and those ut South Pittsburg, in 1879 and 1881. 

Other furnaces which are more or less tributary to Chattanooga as a 
center are Oakdale, in Roane County, capacity, 21,000 tons; Citico, in 
that city, 35,000 tons; Dayton, in Rhea County, 70,000 tons, making an 
aggregate capacity of over 225,000 tons. In 1880 the total production 
of the blast furnace of the State was reported at only 17,873 tons, show- 
ing an increase of little less than 500 per cent during the past six years. 
The grand aggregate of iron and steel manufactured in Tennessee accord- 
ing to the last census was 77,100 tons, valued at $2,274,253. ^ The cap- 
ital invested in this industry amounted to $3,681,776, and was distribu- 
ted among forty-three establishments. The six leading counties in the 
order of production were Hamilton, 35,645 tons; Marion, 17,958 tons; 
Roane, 12,000 tons; Knox, 4,181 tons; Dickson, 2,400 tons, and Stewart, 
1,800 tons. 

The number of establishments engaged m the manufacture of ma- 
chinery, nails, car-wheels and other articles using iron as raw material, 
is annually increasing. The capital invested in this branch of the iron 
industry in Chattanooga amounts to over $500,000, and the annual prod- 
uct of iron to over $800,000. Knoxville, also, has a considerable amount 
of capital invested in manufactories of this class. The Knoxville Car- 
AVheel Company in 1880, with a capital of $101,000, was turning out an 
average of thirty-five car-wheels per day. The Knoxville Iron Company 
was incorporated in 1864, and in 1880 had a capital stock }>aid in of 
$230,000. It employs 250 hands, and has a capacity of 200 kegs of 
nails per day. It has eight puddling furnaces, four trains of rollers, and 
thirty nail machines. Besides nails the company makes railroad spikes, 
boat spikes, street rails and light T rails. 

The Knoxville Foundry & Machine Company had an invested cap- 
ital in 1880 of $45,000, and employed forty hands. This company man- 
ufactures mill machinery, castings, steam engines, boilers, saw-mills, der- 
ricks and other machinery of that class. Nashville and Memphis are not 
very extensively engaged in iron manufacturing. In 1880 the number 



264 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

of foundries aud macliine shops in tlie former city was thirteen, with a 
capital of 5^143,300, and an annual production of $487,451. The extent 
of this business in Memphis does not differ materially fi'om that in 
Nashville. 

As great and important as are the iron resources of Tennessee, they 
would be of little value were it not for the vast bodies of coal which lie 
adjacent. Previous to 1850 but very little coal was mined, and that was 
mostly used in blacksmithiug. The pioneer in the coal business of Ten- 
nessee was Henry H. Wiley, of Anderson County, a native of Yirginia, 
and a land surveyor by profession. He opened a mine on Poplar Creek, 
and for many years during the winter months boated coal down to Hunts- 
ville and Decatur, Ala. He hauled the coal four miles to a point below 
the junction of the four forks of Poplar Creek, where it was put in boats, 
floated out that stream to the Clinch, then into the Tennessee, and thence 
to its destination. This mine was opened in 1852. Other mines, how- 
ever, had been opened several years previous, one or two as early as 1840, 
but these had been worked merely for local supply-. One of the first 
opened was at what is known as the Tracy City Mine, now the most ex- 
tensive in the State. The seam of coal at this place was discovered by 
some boys himting a rabbit ; the animal ran under the root of a tree, and 
in digging it out the coal was found. They reported the discovery to 
their father, Ben Wooten, and he, thinking it might be of some value, 
got out a grant for 500 acres covering the opening. The Wooten Bros, 
afterward opened the seam, and for many years hauled the coal down 
the mountain to the blacksmiths in the valley, and some was sent ta 
Nashville. In 1852 Eoorman Johnson, John Cryder, S. F. Tracy and 
others, of New York, came to Tennessee looking for opportunities for in- 
vestment. They were shown this property and soon after purchased it. 
A company was then formed under the name of the Sewanee Mining 
Company, which had a paid in capital of |400,000. In 1854 the con- 
struction of a railroad from the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad to the 
mines was commenced, but was not completed until 1859, when the com- 
pany found themselves $400,000 in debt. They were sued by both the 
New York and Tennessee creditors. The latter, represented by A. S. 
Colyar, obtained the first judgment, bought in the property and re-organ- 
ized the company under the name of the Tennessee Coal & Railroad Com- 
pany, with Colyar as president. In 1802 the mines were abandoned by 
the company, but were taken possession of by the United States troops, 
and for some time were worked for the use of the army. At the close of 
the war a compromise was effected with the New York creditors, and, 
with P. A. Marbury as general manager, operations were recommenced.. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 265 

In 1868 the manufacture of coke in pits on the ground was begun, and 
during the year 5,377 bushels were shipped. In 1873 the company fore- 
saw that to make a great and profitable business the manufacture of coke 
must form a large part of their business, and that that coke must be a 
good iron-making fuel. A small furnace was erected on the mountain, 
and this experiment satisfactorily tested. During that year .the ship- 
ment of coke amounted to 62,175 bushels. The erection of the Chatta- 
nooga Iron Company's furnace gave great impetus to the enterprise, and 
in 1874 the coke shipment increased to 619,403 bushels. The next year 
the entire property was sold to Cherry, O'Connor & Co., who in 1880 be- 
gan the erection of a furnace at Cowan, which was finished in July, 1881. 
In the early part of the following year the property was sold to John H. 
Inman and others, Tennessee parties retaining a one-third interest. The 
name was changed to the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company. 
The first coal shipped from this mine since the war was in June, 

1866, and shipments for remainder of the year amounted to 9,240 tons. 
In 1870 they amounted to 47,110 tons of coal and 413 tons of coke; in 
1875, to 109,100 tons of coal and 16,160 tons of coke; in 1880, to 114,- 
170 tons of coal and 64,440 tons of coke; 1883, 126,784 tons of coal and 
101,090 tons of coke; 1884, 152,307 tons of coal and 100,935 tons of 
coke. For several years about one-half of the labor employed in these 
mines has been that of convicts. The company have a very large tract 
of land, 25,000 acres of which is underlaid with the Sewanee seam of 
co^l, ranging from two to seven feet in thickness. 

The Rockwood mines, owned by the Roane Iron Company, are located 
in Roane County, ninety-two miles above Chattanooga. This remarkable 
body of coal was discovered in 1840 by William Green, an employe of 
John Brown. Green and "William Brown soon after entered, the land, 
and began mining the coal for local purposes. This was continued until 

1867, when the property was purchased by a company, of which Gen. 
John T. Wilder was vice-president and manager. As has been stated, 
the company erected two blast furnaces, and to supply them began the 
manufacture of coke. This latter branch of their business has steadily 
increased until they now have 180 ovens. 

The Etna mines are situated in Marion County, fourteen miles from 
Chattanooga in what is known as Raccoon Mountain. They were first 
opened in 1852 by an Eastern company working under a lease from Rob- 
ert Cravens and the Boyce and Whiteside estates. Since that time they 
have been operated by several different companies and individuals with 
varied success and reverses. The present company was organized in 
August, 1881, under the name of the Etna Coal Company. The mines 



266 HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 

now operated are owned by the company, tlie estate consisting of about 
3,000 acres, extending from the Nashville, Chattanooga & 8t. Louis Eail- 
way to the Tennessee Kiver. The veins worked are known as the 
Kelly and Oak Hill. From the Kelly Mine a coke is made for foun- 
dry use exclusively, while that from Oak Hill is used for blast fur- 
naces. The former mine was originally opened for general domestic use 
and the product was sold largely in Nashville, Chattanooga and else- 
where, but its superior qualities for blacksmith use and for the manufac- 
ture of coke soon caused the trade to drift almost exclusively into that 
channel. In 1880 about one-fourth of the entire output was coked, the 
remainder being sold to blacksmiths throughout the South. In 1884 
the company had sixty-four coke ovens, and the output from January 1 to 
November 1 was coal, 41,205 tons, and coke, 533,436 bushels. 

The Soddy Cave Company's mines are located on the Cincinnati 
Southern Eailway, twenty-one miles from Chattanooga, at Eathburn Stn- 
tion. This mine was opened in 1867 by an association of Welshmen on 
the co-operative. plan. It proved a failure, and the mine went into the 
hands of a receiver. The present company took charge in 1877, and the 
business has since steadily increased. They have 150 coke ovens. Their 
output from ten months preceding November 1, 1884, was 96,000 tons of 
coal, of which 32,000 tons were converted into coke. They ship to 
Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. 

The Walden's Eidge Coal Company is a corporation with the same 
stock holders as the Soddy Company. They operate a mine on Eooky 
Creek, nine miles farther up the railroad, having begun in 1883. Two 
seams are worked, the lower for coking exclusively, and the upper for 
steam and domestic purposes. In 1884 thirty-five coke ovens were in 
operation, producing 404,949 bushels of coke annually. These mines 
were worked as far back as 1843, but little coal except for blacksmithing 
was consumed at that time. The first coal mined here for shipment was 
by Thomas A. Brown and John Baxter, of Knoxville, in 1866. 

The coal lands at Coal Creek, in Anderson County, are owned by the 
Coal Creek Consolidated Mining Company. There are now six mines 
being worked at that place, of which two are operated by the above com- 
pany and the remainder leased to the Knoxville Iron Company, the Coal 
Creek Coal Company, the New Eiver Coal Company, and H. B. and Joel 
Bowling. The Coal Creek mines were first opened for shipping coal 
upon the completion to that place of the Knoxville & Ohio Eailroad, in 
1870. The shipments in 1871 amounted to 36,000 tons; in 1875, 62,- 
369 tons; in 1880, 150,000 tons; and in 1882, 200,000 tons. The Knox- 
ville Iron Company operates a mine about one and one-half miles from 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 267 

the main track of the Knoxville & Ohio division of the East Tennessee, 
Virginia & Georgia Railroad. They employ about 150 convicts and 
thirty-four laborers. During the year 1882 the company shipped 98,645 
tons of coal to various markets in southwest Virginia, North and South 
Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. For the first ten months of 188-4 their 
output amounted to 204,978 tons. 

The Dayton Coal & Iron Company's mines are located in Rhea 
County, Tenn., and are owned by English capitalists. These mines have 
been recently opened, and are designed mainly to supply coke for the 
blast furnaces which have been built. 

The Standard Coal & Coke Company is composed of Tennessee cap- 
italists who own about 1,400 acres of land, underlaid by a seam of coal 
four and one-half feet thick. Their mine is situated near Newcomb 
Station, in Campbell County. They employ 175 men, and produce about 
350 tons of coal per day. 

The Poplar Creek mines are located in Morgan County. These mines 
are all small. They are operated by the following companies: Poplar 
Creek, Mount Carbon, Winter's Gap, Eureka and Oliver. 

The Glum Mary Coal & Coke Company is located in Scott County, 
on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. 

The Tobler, Crudup Coal & Coke Company was incorporated in 1881. 
They own 7,000 acres of land in Hamilton County, and put out about 200 
tons of coal daily. 

One of the most promising fields of industrial activity in East Ten- 
nessee, is the development of the wonderful marble quarries in the vicin- 
ity of Knoxville. These marbles have obtained a reputation second to no 
other in the United States, and it is said that when they come into com- 
petition with foreign marble, they are greatly preferred and sell for a 
much higher price. The varieties are almost innumerable, and are of 
the most exquisite colors. Their solidity, durability and susceptibility of 
polish make them unequaled for building and monumental purposes. 
Although nearly fifty years have elapsed since the first marble quar- 
ry was opened, "the business is still in its infancy, but is now developing 
rapidly. 

The Hawkins County marble was the first quarried, and it is said that 
it was brought to notice by the favorable expression with reference to it 
by Dr. Troost, the first State geologist. 

In 1838 the Rogersville Marble Company was formed for the pur- 
pose of sawing marble and establishing a marble factory in the vicinity 
of Rogersville. Orville Rice was elected president, and S. D. Mitchell 
secretary. The company operated to a limited extent for several years, 



268 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE, 

erected a mill and sold several thousand dollars worth of marble annual- 
ly, which was mostly distributed in East Tennessee. In 1844 the com- 
pany sold out to the president, Kice, who on a moderate scale carried on 
the business for many years. He sent a block of the "light mottled 
strawberry variety" to the "Washington monument. This was called the 
"Hawkins County Block," and bears thb inscription "From Hawkins 
County, Tennessee." Another block of one of the best varieties was sent 
by act of the Legislature, which was called the "State Block." These 
blocks attracted the attention of the building committee of the National 
Capitol, who, although they had numerous specimens from all parts of 
the Union before them, decided in favor of the East Tennessee marble. 
An agent was sent out by them to ascertain whether or not it could be ob- 
tained in quantity, who upon examination found the supply apparently 
inexhaustible. As a result of these circumstances, an extensive quarry af- 
fording an excellent material has been opened near Mooresburg, Hawkins 
County, and is now known as the old Dougherty Quarry. From this was 
obtained marble for probably one-half of the ornamental work in the Cap- 
itol at Washington. The balustrades and columns of the stairs leading up 
to the House and Senate galleries, the walls of the marble room and other 
parts of the building are made from it. It has since been used in the 
United States Treasury building, the State-house at Columbia, S. C, and 
many of the finest buildings in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and 
Cincinnati. The stone from this quarry has not been used for general 
construction on account of the high price which it commands for orna- 
mental work. 

In 1852 James Sloan opened a quarry about two miles north of Knox- 
ville, near the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad. It was 
from this quarry that the variegated marble used in the capitol at Nash- 
ville was obtained. 

The first quarry in the vicinity of Concord was opened in the lands of 
William T. Smith by S. L. King, 185(3. He also constructed a small 
mill on Lime Creek, where some marble was sawed. 

Col. John Williams also opened a quarry previous to the war, a few 
miles northeast of Knoxville, from which marble of the gray variety was 
obtained. 

The most extensive quarry in Tennessee, and one of the oldest now in 
operation in the vicinity of Knoxville, was opened by the United States 
Government in 18G9 to procure stone for the construction of the custom 
house and postoffice buildings at Knoxville. A considerable quantity of 
this marble was also used in the State Capitol at Albany, New York. The 
quarry is located at the junction of the French Broad and Holston Rivers, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 269 

and the stone is carried by boat four miles to Knoxville. This marble is 
susceptible o£ a high polish, and when so polished has a pink tinge and 
shows dark wavy lines running through it. It is highly esteemed for 
mantels and table-tops, because it is not easily stained. It is also largely 
used for cemetery work, and' tombstones which have been exposed for 
thirty years do not show the slightest signs of disintegration or wear. 

Morgan & Williams operate two quarries within two miles of Knox- 
ville, one of them producing a white marble, and the other a pink mate- 
rial known as Knoxville marble. The former was used in the construc- 
tion of the custom house at Memphis, and the shaft of the Lee monument 
at New Orleans is made of it. The supply of this marble is practically 
inexhaustible. 

The total capital invested in the marble business in Knox County in 
1884 was estimated at $250,000, and the number of men employed at 
300. The following were the quarries in operation at that time: the 
Cross Cut Marble Company, Morgan & "Williams, John M. Eoss, Craig 
& McMullen, T. P. Thomas & Co., E. H. Armstrong & Co., H. H. Brown 
& Co., Harvey & Smith, Franklin Marble Company, Beach & Co., C. 
B. Ross & Co., and the Lima & East Tennessee Marble Company.* 
The only ones using machinery are the Knoxville Marble Company and 
Morgan & Williams. The former has five steam drills, seven steam 
derricks, and runs a saw-mill with two gangs of saws. Morgan & Williams 
have three steam channeling machines, and a mill with one gang of saws. 
In Knoxville Beach & Co. and the Crescent Marble Company have mills 
for sawing and machinery for polishing. There is a demand for a greater 
amount of capital in this branch of the business. 

The amount of marble in Hawkins County is very great, and its va- 
riegated varieties possess greater brilliancy than those of any other sec- 
tion. The business of quarrying has not increased in the same propor- 
tion as in Knox County, on account of the poor facilities for transporta- 
tion. The quarries in operation in 1884 were Prince & Co., Chestnut 
& Chestnut, John Harnn & Co., Chestnut & Fulkerson, James White, 
the Dougherty Quarry, Joseph Stamps and the Baltimore Marble Com- 
pany. The business at none of these quarries is carried on very exten- 
sively, and but little machinery is used. For the year ending June 30, 
1881, there was shipped from such of these quarries as were operat- 
ing 20,000 cubic feet of marble, all of which was of the finest grade 
for ornamental purposes, and was worth on an average ^4 per cubic 
foot upon the cars. The chief markets of this marble are Philadelphia, 
Baltimore, New York, Boston and other Northern cities. The amount of 



Hand Book of Tennessee.' 



270 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

marble shipped over the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad 
for the year ending June 30, 1871, was about 7,000 cubic feet, of which 
Hawkins County furnished all but about 350 cubic feet. For the year 
ending June 30, 1881, the amount shipped over the same railroad was 
about 80,000 cubic feet, valued at ^240,000. Of the entire amount 
Knox County furnished not far from 5(3,000 cubic feet. 

Hamblen County produces marble of good quality, but chiefly for 
local use. Extensive beds of excellent marble exist in Bradley County 
on the Hiwassee River, above Charleston, at which machinery has lately 
been erected and preparations made for work on a large scale. South 
of Cleveland, near the Georgia line, is the quarry of Patrick & Smith, 
fi'om which a beautiful grade of pink marble is obtained. Although mar- 
ble in greater or less quantities and of various kinds is found in several 
other counties of the State, no quarries of importance are now in opera- 
tion in any of them. 

Concord, in Knox County, has recently become the center of a large 
number of quarries, there being no less than eight companies operating 
in that vicinity, all of which have been organized since 1880. The Li- 
ma & East Tennessee Marble Company, operating the Red Triangle 
Quarry, was organized in 1882, and made their first shipment in June of 
that year. Their marble, light and dark variegated, is remarkably 
sound, and meets with a ready sale in the cities of the North. The Con- 
cord marble quarries, operated by Brown, Godfrey & Co., were opened in 
1881. They employ an average force of 150 hands, and make large 
shipments, principally to New York and Boston. Woods & Stamps began 
operations in 1884, and work a large force of hands. The Juniata 
Marble Company made their first opening in February, 1883. Their 
quarries are situated in Blount County, near Louisville. The company 
employ about thirty-five hands, and have machinery in operation for 
sa-wing the marble into slabs. The Great Bend Marble Company, Kin- 
kaid & Co. and the Cedar Bluff Marble Manufacturing & Railway 
Company, all opened quarries during 1885. 

The number of men now employed in the marble business in East 
Tennessee is estimated at 2,000. The shipments from the various sta- 
tions in 1885 aggregated 1,250 car loads, worth from $250 to $300 each. 
There were also manufactured at home about 100 car loads. The ship- 
ments for 188G will not fall short of 1,500 car loads. 

Although suspended at the present time, the mining of copper was 
carried on extensively for many years in Polk County. The discovery of 
the ore was made in 184:3, but none was mined until 1847, when a Ger- 
man named Webber, securing a lease, took out ninety casks of ore and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 271 

shipped tlaem to the Revere Smelting Works near Boston. The results 
not proving satisfactory, he suspended operations and gave up his lease. 
A year or two later John Caldwell, upon petitioning the Legislature, 
obtained the passage of a law under which he secured a lease of a section 
of school land near Ducktown. In May, 1850, he began mining in the 
woods, and during the year sunk two shafts, from both of which he 
obtained copper. The next year in connection with S. Congdon, the 
agent of the Tennessee Mining Company, he opened what was afterward 
known as the Hiwassee Mine. For the first two or three years the ore 
was carried out of the mountains on mules, but in 1853 a wagon road 
was completed at a cost of $22,000. In 1855 there were fourteen mines 
in operation, and over $1,000,000 worth of ore was shipped to the North. 
Three years later a number of the companies united under the name of 
the Union Consolidated Copjjer Company, but the war coming on soon 
after nothing of importance was then accomplished. In 1866 operations 
were again commenced and were rapidly extended. Up to June 1, 1873,. 
this company had taken out 8,476,872 pounds of ingot copper, worth an 
average of 26 cents per pound. At that time they employed 562 men 
and ran sixteen furnaces. The whole value of their property was $474,- 
549.30. In 1873 there was one other large company operating near 
Ducktown, known as the Burra Burra Copper Company. It ran nine 
furnaces and employed 158 men, paying out for wages $60,000. It also 
consumed 10,192 cords of wood and produced 917,329 pounds of ingot 
copper, valued at $192,639. 

In 1878 the consolidated company entered into litigation with Capt. 
Raht, the superintendent, which caused a stoppage of operations, and 
since that time but little has been done by any of the companies. The 
property of the consolidated company was purchased during, the latter 
part of 1884 by a company from New York, who has not yet put it into 
operation. 

The Hour-milling industry of Tennessee in 1880 ranked above all, 
other industrial enterprises both in the amount of capital invested and in 
the value of its products. At that time there were 990 flour and grist- 
mill establishments in the State having an aggregate capital of $3,595,- 
585, and putting out annually products to the amount of $10,784,804. 
These amounts were slightly exceeded by one other Southern State, 
Virginia, but the growth of this business in Tennessee during the past 
six years has made her the leading milling State of the South. Although 
no other industry is so thoroughly distributed over the State, Nashville 
is the flour-milling center of Tennessee. Tlie growth of the business in 
that city during the past ten years has been wonderfully rapid. In that 



272 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

time the four leading mills have been built, and the production raised 
from 500 to 1,800 barrels per day, while the capital invested has increased 
from 1100,000 to |G00,000. The amount of wheat used annually by 
these mills reaches 2,340,000 bushels, of which a large portion is grown 
in Tennessee. 

Beside^ Davidson County there were in 1880 five counties in the 
State the value of whose mill products amounted to over $300,000 each. 
They were Knox, with a production of $114:,017; Henry, $365,372; Bed- 
ford, $359,208; Maury, $311,067, and AVilliamson, $301,270. 

Among the first settlers of Tennessee, Indian corn was used exclu- 
sively for bread. This was due to the small amount of labor re- 
quired in its cultivation, and to the ease with Avliich it could be prepared 
for use. Previous to the erection of the first rude mill, the only machin- 
ery used in the preparation of corn for hominy or meal was the mortar 
and pestle, the former usually consisting of the stump of a tree hollowed 
out for that purpose. ■ The first mill erected in Tennessee was built be- 
fore 1775 on Buffalo Creek, in Carter County, and belonged to Baptist 
McNabb. At about the same time another mill was built by Matthew 
Talbot on Gap Creek. The first mill west of the Cumberland Mountains 
was a corn-mill and hominy-pounder built at Eaton's Station in 1782; a 
dam was made across the small creek which empties into the Cumber- 
land at the foot of the high land on which the station was located, and by 
the construction of a race by the side of the branch, sufficient fall of wa- 
ter Avas obtained to turn a pair of rudely cut stones. The hominy-pounder 
was an extremely primitive piece of machinery. "A trough was made 
twelve feet long and placed upon a pivot, or balance, and was so dug out 
that by letting the water run in at one end of the trough, it would fill up 
so as to overcome the equipoise, when one end would descend, and, the wa- 
ter rushing out, the trough would return to its equilibrium, coming down 
at the other end with considerable force, when a pestle or hammer was 
made to strike with force sufficient to crack the grains of corn." This 
process proving too slow a Mr. Cartwright constructed a wheel upon 
which was fastened a number of cow's horns in such a way that as each 
horn Avas filled by water its weight turned the wheel so that the next 
horn was presented to receive its supply, and thus the wheel was kept in 
constant revolution. To a crank was attached the apparatus for corn- 
cracking, and by the revolution of the wheel many little blows Vf ere made 
upon the corn placed in the mortar. This mill-seat, water-wheel and 
hominy-block was the property of James and Heyden Wells, the earliest 
millers in Middle Tennessee. * ' A little later Casper and his brother 

♦Putnam. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 273 

George Mansker erected a rival establishment within a mile of Mans- 
ker's station. Larger and better equipped mills were erected by Freder- 
ick Stump and John Buchanan. Stump's mill was on White's Creek and 
Buchanan's on Mill Creek, two miles south of Nashville. The many 
streams in all parts of the State afforded abundant Avater-power, and af- 
ter the beginning of the present century there was no lack of mills. 
Those on Red Biver were especially numerous, and had a wide reputa- 
tion for the good quality of their flour. Within the past few years the 
introduction of the more expensive roller-mills has had a tendency to 
drive out some of the smaller establishments, and the number of mills 
is decreasing somewhat. 

The manufacture of cotton into various goods has long been an indus- 
try of considerable importance in Tennessee, but it has never attained 
the proportions which her natural advantages would justify. The rais- 
ing of cotton began to assume considerable proportions during the first 
decade of the present century, but its manufacture, except in a domestic 
way, was not attempted until a few years later. In a report of the cotton- 
mills of the United States in 1810, only one is mentioned in Tennessee, 
and that was a horse-mill. The Tennessee Gazetteer published in 1834, 
in enumerating the manufactories in the State, mentions two "spinning 
factories" at Knoxville and Paris, each, and one at Athens; two cotton 
factories at Murfreesboro and one at Franklin and Statesville, each. The 
last two are designated as "extensive." There was also a rope and bag- 
ging factory at Lebanon. In 1840 the number of cotton factories in the 
State had increased to thirty-eight, representing a capital of $463,240, 
and operating 1(),813 spindles. Of the whole number twenty-five were 
in Middle Tennessee, eight in East Tennessee and five in the western 
division. The counties having more than $30,000 invested in this busi- 
ness were Wilson, $05,000; Williamson, $48,000; Lawrence, $47,000; 
Madison, $50,000 and Franklin $33,100. The census of 1860 reported 
thirty factories with 29,850 spindles and 243 looms, and representing a 
capital of $965,000. At this time Lawrence County stood first, having one- 
fifth of the whole number of factories, and more than one-fifth of the 
capital invested. Owing to the effects of the civil war the next decade 
shows a slight decrease in the number of factories and the quantity of 
the product. From 1870 to 1880 quite a large amount of new capital 
was invested in cotton manufacturing, but the greatest increase has been 
within the past five years. In that time the business has increased about 
130 per cent. The largest factory in the State, and perhaps in the South, 
is operated by the Tennessee Manufacturing Company at Nashville. Thev 
have over $1,000,000 invested; run 850 looms and 30,000 spindles, and 



274 HI8T0EY OP TENNESSEE. 

turn out products to the amount of nearly $1,000,000 annually. Tlie 
goods manufactured consist principally of sheetings, shirtings, grain 
bags and cotton plaids. Nashville has two other factories, both of which 
were established in 1881, and represent a combined capital of $340,000. 
Their production consists largely of carpet warps, twines and rope. The 
Columbia Cotton-mills, established in 1884, operate 6,500 spindles and 
174 looms, and manufacture sheeting, bags and yarn. The Pioneer Mill 
at Mount Verd, McMinn County, put into operation in 1881 at an outlay 
of $200,000, runs 5,272 spindles and 132 looms. The Trenton Manu- 
facturing Company organized in 1884, with a capital stock of $00,000, use 
3,200 spindles and 100 looms in the manufacture of white goods. The 
Brookside Cotton-mills, of Kuoxville, began operations in March, 1886, 
employing 200 hands. Other factories of less capacity have been erected 
since the beginning of this decade, but the above are sufficient to illus- 
trate the rapid growth of this industry. With the advantage of abun- 
dant water-power, cheap fuel, and close proximity to the raw material, it is 
only a question of time when Tennessee will rival, if not excel. New Eng- 
land in the manufacture of cotton goods. 

The capital invested in the manufacture of woolen goods is less than 
one-half that represented by the cotton factories, but it is distributed 
among a much greater number of establishments, many of whicli are of 
small capacity and run only a portion of the year. The woolen-mills 
of the State, as reported in 1880, numbered 100, representing an 
aggregate investment of $418,464. The annual productions are val- 
ued at $620,724, and consisted principally of the following goods: 
Jeans, 644,036 yards; linsey, 94,493 yards; satinets, 23,300 yarels; flan- 
nels, 18,450 yards; cloths, cassimeres and similar goods, 8,440 yards; 
blankets, 2,387 yards; tweeds, 3,000 yards, and shawls 1,000 yards. There 
was also one establishment engaged in the manufacture of mixed tex- 
tiles, having a capital of $35,000, and producing goods to the value of 
$79,000 annually. Since the beginning of this decade the manufacture 
of woolen goods has more than doubled, several of the largest factories 
in the State having been put into operation within the last four years. 
The Nashville Woolen Mill Company, with a capital of $78,000, began 
business in 1882. They employ 100 operatives, who turn out products 
to the amount of $150,000. The Jackson Woolen Manufacturing Com- 
pany, having an invested capital of $50,000, began business in 1884, 
and operate forty-seven looms. The Knoxville Mills, which began busi- 
ness in 1885 with a capital of $180,000, operates 104 looms. 

Previous to 1880 the largest woolen-mill in the State was the one at 
Tullahoma, which represents a capital of $90,000, and runs eighty-five 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. " 275 

looms. Previous to the war the business consisted almost exclusively in 
wool-carding, which was carried on by small establishments involving an 
outlay of only a few hundred, or at most a few thousand dollars. The 
following is a list of these "carding machines," as reported in the census 
of 1840. It is evidently incomplete: 

Capital Value of 

Number. Invested. Products. 

Wilson 6 $3,750 |6,000 

Sumner 5 4,650 2,050 

Rutherford 5 6,000 3.400 

Jefferson 3 1,200 360 

Grainger 3 1,500 700 

Hawkins 1 2,000 

Coffee 1 4,000 1,000 

McNairy 1 1,400 30 

Knox 1 800 450 

Dickson 1 300 300 

Totals 27 $25,600 $14,290 

In 1860 the number of these establishments had increased to sixty- 
nine, and the capital invested to $82,300. During the year previous they 
carded 460,665 pounds of wool, making 4-60,000 pounds of rolls, valued at 
$219,772. At that time Tennessee had over one-third of this business 
in the Southern States, and was excelled by only three States in the 
Union. The only mill reported which contained a loom was located in 
Sumner County. This mill used 10,000 pounds of wool and manufact- 
ured 18,000 yards of cloth. 

Fifty years ago gunpowder was manufactured in a small way in 
many of the counties of this State. The capital invested amounted to 
but little, and the product was correspondingly small. Of these estab- 
lishments, in 1840, Claiborne and Overton Counties had two each, and 
Campbell, Carter, JefPerson, Sullivan. Giles and Warren one each. The 
capital represented ranged from $25 to $900, and the product from 160 
to 6,000 pounds, tlie aggregate production reaching 10,333 pounds. 
About 1845 the Sy<^amore Manufacturing Company located in Cheatham 
County, erected a large mill for the manufacture of gunpowder, 
which they continued to operate until the war. At the close of hostili- 
ties the company was organized under a charter, with a capital of $100,- 
000, which has since been increased to $300,000. In 1874 the entire 
machinery of the Confederate Powder Works, at Augusta, Ga., were 
purchased by the company, and the capacity of their mills was increased 
to 100,000 kegs of powder per year. 

The manufacture of paper was begun in Tennessee at a comparatively 
early date, and has been continued by one or more mills to the present 
time. One of the first establishments of this kind was erected at Paper- 



2TG HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

ville, a little village on a brancli o£ the Holston River, iu Sullivan Coun- 
ty. In 1840 the number of paper-mills in the State was six, located one 
in each of the following counties: Grainger, Knox, McMinn, Sullivan, 
Davidson and Sumner. They represented an aggregate capital of $103,- 
000, and their annual products were valued at $60,000. In 1860 the 
number of mills had decreased to two, and the amount of capital invested 
to $28,000. Their annual product was 200,000 pounds of paper, valued 
at $14,500. 

The manufacture of leather and boots and shoes is a pioneer in- 
dustry. Among the early settlers nearly every farmer had a vat, or more 
frequently merely a trough, in which was tanned the leather to make the 
boots and shoes for his household. Later numerous small tanneries 
were erected, which endeavored only to supply the local demand. In 
1840 there were 454 of these establishments, of which East Tennessee 
had 225; Middle Tennessee, 164; and the western division, 65. The 
entire capital invested in the business was $484,114, of which Middle 
Tennessee had a little more than one-half. The aggregate products were 
133,547 sides of sole-leather, and 171,339 sides of uppers, of Avhich 
Montgomery County produced nearly one-sixth. In 1860 the number 
of tanneries was reported at 265, with a capital of $851,780, and an 
annual production of leather to the value of $1,142,246. The estimated 
amount of capital invested in the making of boots and shoes was $214,- 
512, and the productions were valued at $395,790. In 1870 the number 
of establishments engaged in the manufacture of leather was 396, repre- 
senting capital to the amount of $705,665, and turning out products to 
the value of $1,851,638. According to the census of 1880 there were 
113 establishments engaged in the manufacture of curried leather, whose 
product amounted to $546,427, and 147 establishments manufacturing 
tanned leather to the amount of $1,504,6(50 during the year. The larg- 
est tannery in the State is located at Chattanooga, and is ■ operated by 
Fayerweather & Ladew. The products from this establishment amount 
to little less than $1,000,000 per annum. Nashville has several tanner- 
ies, all of which do a good business. The Hall & Ordway Manufactur- 
ing Company are erecting an extensive establishment at that place to 
supply their factory, as well as to meet a large foreign demand. This 
firm operate the only shoe manufactory in the State, and are the j^ioneers 
in that business. The company was organized in November, 1885, and 
began business the first of the following January. They have a capacity 
of 700 pairs of shoes per day, but already contemplate increasing it to 
1,000. They employ from 100 to 350 hands. Their materials, except 
the findings and uppers, which come principally from Boston and New 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 277 

York, are obtained from Tennessee tanneries, and tlieir trade is rapidly 
extending over tlie entire South. Tlieir success in this business is a sure 
precursor of numerous other establishments of the kind, as Nashville al- 
ready has the largest boot and shoe trade of any city of its size in the 
United' States. It is also said by experienced shoemen that Tennessee 
leather, on account of the superior quality of the bark and the purity of 
the water used in its manufacture, is superior to that of any other 
State. 

The manufacture of whisky in Tennessee dates back nearly to the 
advent of the first colonists. As early as 1785 Col. James Eobertson, 
learning that the establishment of distilleries in the Cumberland settle- 
ments was under contemplation, secured the passage of an act by the Leg- 
islature of North Carolina, prohibiting the distillation of spirituous liq- 
uors. in Davidson County. The prohibition, however, proved of but lim- 
ited duration, and there was soon considerable domestic manufacture and 
increased consumption. For the first fifty or sixty years of the present 
century, there was scarcely a county in the State that was not more or 
less extensively engaged in the manufacture of whisky. It was usually 
made in small distilleries with a capacity of thirty or forty gallons per 
day. In 1840 the number of distilleries reported in East Tennessee was 
()0(3, producing for that year 314:,4:4:5 gallons of whisky. The counties 
producing the most were McMinn, Claiborne, Hawkins, Greene, Roane 
and Marion. The whole number of "still-houses" in Middle Tennessee 
Avas 668, and the number of gallons of whisky produced, 695,769. Lin- 
coln, Bedford, Davidson, Maury and Robertson produced the greatest quan- 
tities. The first named county had 87 distillers and manufactured 128,180 
gallons of whisky. This county and Robertson have long enjoyed the 
reputation of producing the best whisky in the State, if not in the United 
States. This is largel}^ due to the fact that it is manufactured by men of 
long experience in the business, and the materials used are of superior 
quality. These two counties now produce a large part of the whisky 
made in the State. The largest distillery in Tennessee is that of Charles 
Nelson, near Greenbrier, in Robertson County. This establishment in 
the year 1885 produced 379,125 gallons, more than one-third the entire 
production for the State, and about 82 per cent of the production in Rob- 
ertson County. During the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1885, there were 
90 registered grain distilleries in the State, of which 55 were in opera- 
tion, and 238 fruit distilleries — all in operation. The total revenue for 
the year paid by the former was ^802,515.74, and by the latter $73,- 
849.55. The materials used by the grain distilleries were as follows: 
rye, 26,063 bushels; corn, 181,899 bushels; mill feed, 5,581 bushels j 



278 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

wheat, 49 bushels; and malt, 12,717 bushels. The following is the inter- 
nal revenue collected upon distilled liquors in Tennessee for each year 
from 1864 to 1885: 1864, $602,705.93; 1865, $1,605,263.41; 1866, 
$3,381,840.56; 1867, $3,349,459.91; 1868, $3,717,010.04; 1869, $1,255,- 
781.12; 1870, $1,470,859.57; 1871, $874,221.65; 1872, $766,840.20; 
1873, $644,480.76; 1874, $664,717.18; 1875, $861,645.28; 1876, $596,- 
713.67; 1877, $897,181.73; 1878, $844,485.08; 1879, $908,924.44; 
1880, $1,003,735.86; 1881, $1,146,763.64; 1882, $997,728; 1883, 
$1,173,890.29; 1884, $1,249,975.96; 1885, $1,057,189.43. The total 
tax collected for the twenty-one years amounts to $29,071,413.31. 

The manufacture of cotton-seed oil is an industry of great impor- 
tance, both in the amoiint of capital invested and the value of the prod- 
ucts. Memphis is the center of this business, although there are sev- 
eral other towns which have extensive oil-mills. In that city there are 
eleven mills, but all are not run on full time. The magnitude of this 
branch of business is indicated by the fact that nearly $1,000,000 is 
annually paid out for cotton seed by the Memphis mills alone. It also 
gives employment to fully 600 hands, and affords to river and railway 
commerce nearly $350,000 in freight. The receipts of cotton seed in 
Memphis during 1885 were 58,000 tons, from which there was a yield of 
45,000 barrels of oil, 22,000 tons of oil cake, 26,000 bales of regius and 200 
tons of ashes. The last article is used in the manufacture of fer- 
tilizers. 

A mill to manufacture oil from cotton seed was established in 
Jackson about seven years ago, and has grown to be one of the largest 
establishments of the kind in the State. It gives employment to about 
150 hands, and runs day and night. In 1883 a company was organized 
to engage in the business at Trenton, and during the summer large build- 
ings were erected, into which was put the most improved machinery. 
When first put into operation, the mill consumed 750 bushels of cotton 
seed, making 500 gallons of oil and 9,000 pounds of meal or coke. 
Within the past year the capacity of the mill has been doubled. 

Nashville has two mills, the first of which was built in 1868. Each 
consumes from 5,000 to 6,000 tons of cotton seed yearly. Their com- 
bined annual product is estimated at 400,000 gallons of oil and 2,100 
tons of meal. The oil is used in the manufacture of soap and candles, 
and in the adulteration of lard and other oils. It is also said to be 
used to some extent in the manufacture of oleomargarine. The growth 
of the manufacturing interest of the State since 1850 is shown in the 
following table: 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



279 



Year. 


No. Estab- 
lishments. 


Capital Invested. 


Hands 
Employed. 


1850 .... 
1860 .... 
1870 .... 
1880 .... 


2,887 
2.572 
5,317 
4,326 


$6,527,729 
14,426,261 
15,595,295 
20,092,845 


12,039 
12,528 
19,412 
22,445 



Wages Paid. 



$2,247,492 
3,370,687 
5,390,630 
5,254.775 



Value of Mater- 
ials. 



Value of Produce. 



$5,166,886 

9,416,514 

19,657,027 

23,834,262 



$9,725,608 
17,987,225 
34,362,636 
37,074,886 



The agency which has been most effective in placing the vast natural 
resources and advantages of Tennessee before the world, and in inaugu- 
rating a better system of farming, is the Bureau of Agriculture, Statistics 
and Mines, established by act of the Legislature in December, 1871. 
With the limited appropriations granted to this bureau, not one-fifth as 
much as is expended for that purpose by some States of the Northwest, 
it has succeeded in the past ten years in bringing into the State millions 
of dollars of capital and thousands of families. The commissioners of 
this department have been men of untiring energy and practical busi- 
ness ability, and to them are largely due the results which have been ob- 
"feined. J. B. Killebrew, the secretary of the bureau, and the first com- 
missioner, published numerous works on the agricultural and industrial 
interests. His work on the " Eesources of Tennessee " is one of the 
most thorough and complete publications of the kind ever made. The 
work of the bureau under his administration proved very effective. A 
committee, appointed in 1879 to investigate its affairs, reported not less 
tlian 8,000 immigrants, and about $9,000,000 capital had been intro- 
duced into the State through its instrumentality. In 1881 the com- 
missioner reported that during the preceding two years there had been 
added not less than' $5,000,000 to the wealth of the State, and 7,000 
immigrants to its populatioii. From 1881 to 1883 the bureau was under 
the direction of es-Gov. Hawkins, and since that time the office of com- 
missioner has been filled by Maj. A. J. McWhirter, who is thoroughly 
alive to the interests of the State. In 1883 an exhibit of the natural 
resources and agricultural products of Tennessee was made at the South- 
ern Exposition, held at Louisville, Ky., and the Mechanics Institute 
Fair, held at Boston, Mass. A more extensive exhibit was made at the 
Industrial and Cotton Centennial of New Orleans in 1884-85, and also 
in the following year. The profits derived from these exhibits have 
been great and are manifested in the rapid development of the manufac- 
turing and mining interests of the State, as well as the increase in the 
number of farms. The population of Tennessee, as reported by the last 
census, was 1,5-12,359. It is now estimated by the best statisticians at 
1,850,000, a gain of over 300,000, or 20 per cent in six years. The in- 
crease in wealth has been proportionately great. 



280 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



CHAPTER X. 

State Institutions— The Location of Legislative Sessions— Final Estab- 
lishment OF the Capital— Construction of the State-house— Descrip- 
tion of the Style of Architecture— The Jackson Statue— The State 
Library— The Deaf and Dumb School— The Tennessee School for the 
Blind— The Tennessee Hospital for the Insane — The State Peniten- 
tiary—The Historical Society— The Medical Society— The State 
Board of Health— The Agricultural Bureau — The Grand Lodges of 
Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, United Order of the Golden 
Cross, American Legion of Honor, Knights of Pythias, Knights and 
Ladies of Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Royal Arcanum 
AND Grand Army of the Republic. 

PREYIOUS to the year 1843, the seat of government of the State 
had not been definitely fixed. The Territorial Assembly met in 
Knoxville, in 1794-95; also the Constitutional Convention in 1796. In 
1807 the Legislature convened on September 21, at Kingston, but tAvo 
days later adjourned to Knoxville. Nashville was the place of meeting 
in 1812, 1813, 1815; Knoxville again in 1817; then Murfreesboro, from 
1819 to 1825, inclusive. The session of 182(3 was held in Nashville, as 
have been all succeeding ones. Section 2 of the schedule to the constitu- 
tion of 1834 declared tliat the seat of government should be determined 
upon within the first week after the commencement of the session of the 
General Assembly in 1843. That body convened on Monday, October 1, 
of that year, and the first subject to engage its attention was the location 
of the capital. Almost every town in the State, having any pretension 
at all to eligibility or convenience of position, had its advocates. Thus 
the following places were successively voted upon : Woodbury, McMinn- 
ville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Kingston, Lebanon, Columbia, Sparta, 
Gallatin, Clarksville, Shelbyville, Harrison, Chattanooga, Cleveland, 
Athens, Knoxville and Nashville. On Thursday, October 4, the Senate 
voted to locate the seat of government at Kingston, Roane County, and 
the House at Murfreesboro. But finally, on the Saturday following, 
Nashville was agreed upon by both houses, and became the capital of the 
State. This result is mainly attributable to the liberality of the town 
selected, the corporation having purchased Campbell's Hill, at a cost of 
$30,000 and donated it to the State as a site for the capitol building. An 
interesting anecdote is told in connection with this property. Many years 
previous, Judge Campbell had sold a cow and calf to a neighbor, who, 
subsequently determining to remove from the country, notified his cred- 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 281 

itor that a rifle and Cedar Hill was all lie had to give for the debt. 
The Judge accepted them, thinking that the sum he might be able to 
sell the gun for would be all that he would realize for the cow and calf; 
besides the four acres, which he sold to the city, he disposed of several 
lots to individuals, and retained the one upon which his residence was 
built, opposite the south front of the capitol.* 

Previous to this time the meetings of the Legislature in Nashville 
had been held in the Davidson County Court House, but the build- 
ing had become too small for the constantly increasing membership of 
that body, and the building of a capitol was a necessity. Now that the 
seat of government had become fixed, no obstacle lay in the way of be- 
ginning the work, and on January 30, 1844, an act was passed milking 
the first appropriation for that purpose, $10,000. Gov. William Carroll, 
"William Nichol, John M. Bass, Samuel D. Morgan, James Erwin and 
Morgan W. Brown were appointed commissioners, to whom were added, 
May 14, 1844, James Woods, Joseph T. Elliston and Allen A. Hall. 
John M. Bass was appointed chairman March 31, 1848, andheld the posi- 
tion until March 31, 1854, when Samuel D. Morgan was appointed. April 
20, 1854, John Campbell, John S. Young and Jacob McGavock were 
appointed commissioners by Gov. Andrew Johnson. By act of February 
28, 1854, R. J. Meigs and James P. Clark were appointed commissioners, 
and John D. Winston was appointed by the governor. The following 
governors of the State were cx-officio commissioners: James C. Jones, 
Aaron V. Brown, Neill S. Brown, William Trousdale, William B. Camp- 
bell, Andrew Johnson and Isham G. Harris. Clearing of the ground for 
the site was begun about January 1, 1845 ; foundations were dug and 
nearly finished by the 4th of July, on which day the corner-stone was 
laid in the southeast corner of the building with imposing ceremonies. 
An eloquent oration was delivered on the occasion by the Hon. Edwin H. 
Ewing. 

On the 20th of May previous William Strickland, the designer of 
many of the finest public buildings in Philadelphia, was appointed archi- 
tect, and fi'om this time the building was carried on regularly and 
steadily without error or interruption till the time of his death, April 7, 
1854. His funeral ceremonies were conducted in Representative Hall, 
and he was entombed in a recess, which he had prepared about a year 
before, in the wall of the north basement portico. After the death of 
Mr. Strickland the work was for several years carried on by his son, W. 
E. Strickland. The last stone of the tower was laid July 21, 1855, and 
the last stone of the lower terrace March 19, 1859. This completed the 

*" Old Times in Tennessee." 



282 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

stoue work. The building was first occupied by the Legislature October 
3, 1853. For several years the greater portion of the efficient convict 
labor was employed in quarrying the stone for the capitol, and after its 
completion the same kind of labor was used in improving the grounds. 
The entire cost to the State of the building and grounds up to 1859 
amounted to $900,500. The $30,000 paid for the site by the city, added 
to the amount expended in completing the grounds, makes a total cost of 
something over $1,000,000. The following description of the building 
is taken from the architect's report and other sources: 

"The State-house is parallelogram in form, 112x239 feet, with an eleva- 
tion of 64 feet 8 inches above an elevated terrace walk which surrounds 
it, or 74 feet 8 inches above the ground. Eising through the center of 
the roof is the tower, 3G feet square and 80 feet high. The main idea 
of the elevation of the building is that of a Greek Ionic temple erected 
upon a rustic basement, which in turn appears to rest upon a terraced 
pavement. The building has four fronts, each graced with a noble por- 
tico. The end porticoes, north and south, are each composed of eight 
magnificent Ionic columns ; the side porticoes, east and west, are composed 
each of six columns. These columns, twenty-eight in all, are each 4 
feet in diameter, 33 feet high, and rest upon the entablature of the 
basement. This entablature is supported by a rusticated pier, rising 
through the basement story under each column of the portico above. 
The end porticoes are capped by an entablature, which is continued around 
the building, and above which is a heavy pediment. The side porticoes 
are capped by the entablature and double blocking courses. The build- 
ing inside is divided into three stories: the crypt, or cellar; the base- 
ment, or first floor; and the main or second floor. The crypt is used for 
the State arsenal and for furnaces, etc. 

" The basement story is intersected by longitudinal and tra*nsverse 
halls of wide dimensions, to the right and left of which large and com- 
modious rooms are appropriated to the use of the governor, the comp- 
troller, the treasurer, the secretary of state, register of lands, superin- 
tendent of weights and measures and keeper of public arms, superin- 
tendent of public instruction, and the commissioner of agriculture, sta- 
tistics and mines. There is also an archive room, which is 34 feet square, 
and a supreme court room, which is 35x52 feet, 8 inches. From the great 
central hall the principal story is approached by a double flight of 
stairs, the hand-railing of which is of East Tennessee marble. The lon- 
gitudinal hall of this floor is 128 feet 2 inches long by 24 feet 2 inche.'; 
wide, while the dimensions of the transverse hall are the same as that of 
the basement. This story is divided into three apartments: representa- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 283 

tive liall, the senate chamber and the library. The main floor of repre- 
sentative hall, 61x97 feet, is flanked on the east and west sides by eight 
committee rooms, 16 feet 8 inches square. Above these rooms are the 
public galleries, each of which is fronted by eight columns of the 
Eoman Ionic order, 2 feet 8 inches in diameter, and 21 feet 10 inches 
hiofh. The shaft of each column is of one block of stone surmounted 
by exceedingly graceful and elaborate capitals, the device of the archi- 
tect. The speaker's stand and screen wall are composed of red, white 
and black Tennessee marble. The chandelier is one of the largest and 
most elaborate in the country. It possesses the merit of being original 
in style and novel in design, though it is not graceful nor altogether 
pleasing to the eye. The senate chamber is of an oblong shape from 
35 to 70 feet, having pilasters of the Ionic order with a full entablature, 
and is surrounded on three sides by a gallery 10 feet 9 inches wide sup- 
ported by twelve columns of variegated East Tennessee marble. This 
room also has a chandelier, similar in design to that of the representa- 
tive hall, though smaller and of better proportions. Immediately opposite 
the senate chamber are the rooms containing the state library. The 
main room is 35 feet square, with two smaller rooms on each side. From 
the main room a spiral stairway of iron leads to the two galleries above, 
the lower one of which extends entirely around the room, and the upper 
one on two sides. 

"Above the center of the building through the roof rises the tower 
supported by four massive piers 10 or 12 feet built from the ground. 
The design of the tower, which is one of the finest features of the entire 
structure, is a modified reproduction of the "Choragic Monument of 
Lysicrates," or, as it is sometimes called, the "Lantern of Demos- 
tlienes." The tower is composed of a square rustic base, 36 feet square 
and 42 feet high, with a window in each front. Above this the lantern 
or round part of the tower rises 26 feet 8 inches in diameter by 37 feet 
high. It consists of a circular cell with eight beautiful three-quarters 
fluted Corinthian columns attached around its outer circumference with 
alternate blank and pierced windows between each two columns in each 
of the two stories of the cell. The columns have each a very elaborate 
and beautifully wi'ought capital of the purest Corinthian style, and above 
all a heavy entablature. The column shafts are 2 feet 6 inches in 
diameter by 27 feet 8 inches high, and capital 4 feet high. The roof 
and iron finial ornament are together 34 feet high above the last stone of 
the tower, making the whole height of the edifice above the ground 206 
feet 7 inches, or over 400 feet above low water mark in the Cumberland 
Kiver. 



284 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

"The roof of the building is constructed of rafters composed of 
wrouo-ht iron ties and braces, trussed in sections, and joined together by 
cast iron plates and knees. The greatest span of these rafters is over 
Eepresentative Hall, a distance of sixty-five feet. The whole is sheathed 
and covered with copper. The walls of the building for the founda- 
tion are 7 feet thick; those of the superstructure 4 feet and 6 inches. 
All of the inside walls are laid with rubble stone ; the terraces, pave- 
ments and the round part of the tower, chiseled; the outer walls of 
the first story and the square part of the tower, rusticated work and 
tooled. The material of the building is of a stratified fossiliferous lime- 
stone of slightly bluish-gray tint with cloud-like markings. It was pro- 
cured within half a mile west of the building in a quarry opened by the 
State on the grounds of Samuel Watkins. Stones have been quarried 
from this place, weighing in their rough state, fifteen or twenty tons, and 
thirty and more feet long. One of the terrace stones of the building is 
S feet 3 inches by 14 feet, and the cap stones of the terrace buttresses are 5 
feet 10 inches by 15 feet 11 inches, the heaviest weighing probably eight 
or ten tons. The stone may be considered both as to durability and 
beauty of appearance when worked well, equal to any building stone in" 
the country. Nearly all the materials, in addition to the stone, used in 
the construction of the building, were produced in Tennessee, and the 
work was mainly done ])y Tennessee workmen — a magnificent monument 
to the mechanical skill and the resources of the State." 

One of the most interesting objects to be seen upon Capitol Hill is 
the magnificent equestrian statue of Gen. Jackson. So long ago as the 
session of the General Assembly* of 1845-4(3, the idea was conceived of 
erecting at the capitol in Nashville a statue in honor of Gen. Andrew 
Jackson, w^hose death took place June 8, 1845 ; and an act was passed the 
2d of February, 1846, appropriating the sum of $7,500, "when a suffi- 
cient sum shall be subscribed by the people in connection therewith to 
complete said monument." Commissioners were appointed in the sixth 
section of said act to receive any voluntary contributions, control the dis- 
bursements of all funds, contract with an American sculptor or artist, and 
superintend the erection of said statue. For various reasons no further 
action was taken in the matter for many years though, it was by no 
means forgotten. Early in the month of January, 1879, Gen. Marcus J. 
"Wright, of Washington City, addressed a letter to the vice-president of 
the Tennessee Historical Society, suggesting that Clark Mill's eques- 
trian statue of Gsn. Jackson was on sale, expressing the hope that Ten- 
nessee could be induced to make the purchase and tendering his services 

♦Report of the Legislative Committee ol" the Jackson Statue. 




--i-^rf^} 



FOUESTKIAN STATUE OF GEN. JACKSON, AT NASHVILLE. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 285 

to aid in the negotiation. A correspondence ensued between Gen. 
Wright and the vice-president, and then papers, with a letter from Mills 
sti[)ulating the price, were laid before the society. There was a discus- 
sion of plans for obtaining the requisite funds to make the purchase, but 
nothing definite was agreed upon and the vice-president was instructed 
to communicate for the society with Gen. Wright and also to con- 
fer with the governor of the State as to the policy of applying to the 
General Assembly for an appropriation. After due deliberation, the 
time was not deemed opportune to invoke the assistance of the State, and 
the society did not care to have any future prospect clouded by a denial 
of favorable legislation. At a meeting held July 1, 1879, the sub- 
ject was again brought up. Various plans for raising the money were 
proposed, none of which, however, commanded that assurance of success 
whicli warranted immediate action, and the measure was indefinitely post- 
[loned. At a subsequent meeting of the society and of the citizens of 
Nashville to make arrangements for the centennial anniversary to be cel- 
ebrated in 1880, an enthusiasm was aroused which spread through the 
entire community. There was a pause in the pursuit of individual in- 
terests and the moment given to an unselfish and patriotic inspiration. 
Memories of the past seem to rise spontaneously in the public mind, and 
it doubtless occurred to more than one that the conjuncture of circum- 
stances was favorable for the acquisition of the Jackson statue. Such a 
thought did certainly occur to a venerable and patriotic citizen of Nash- 
ville, Maj. John L. Brown, who, early after the meeting in December, ex- 
pressed his intention to try to raise, by voluntary subscriptions, the money 
necessary for the purchase. 

He wrote to Senator Harris and Maj. Blair, of Washington City, to 
make inquiry as to the cost of the statue, which was found to be $5,000. 
Several letters written by Col. Bullock on the subject of the purchase 
were published, and gave renewed impetus to the movement. Maj. 
Brown, continuing his efforts, secured the appointment of the president 
and secretary of the Historical Society with himself as "a committee for 
the purchasing of the statue for the State of Tennessee." Every means 
and appliance was used to further the enterprise, and by the 18th of 
March, 1880, the list of subscribers had so increased that success being 
in sight the Centennial board of directors incorporated a committee of 
seven members, to be known as the committee for the purchase and 
dedication of the equestrian statue of Gen. Jackson, of which Gen. G. 
B. Thurston became chairman. The subscription soon aggregated an 
amount near or quite $5,000, which justified the consummation of the 
purchase. 



286 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

On the 20th of May, 1880, in the presence of a vast assemblage of 
people, the statue was unveiled with appropriate and impressive ceremonies. 
Hon. John F. House was the orator of the day, an original ode written 
by Rev. F. W. E. Paschau was sung, prayer was offered by Rev. T. A. 
Hoyt, and a prize poem, by Mrs. Bowser, was read by Dr. G. S. Blaekie. 
A grand military procession paraded tlie street, in which several United. 
States officers, including Gen. Buell, Gen. Pennypacker and others, 
together with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, Gen. Cheatham and others of 
the old Confederate Army, participated. Clark Mills, the sculptor, was 
an invited guest, and in speaking of the statue stated that it is a tripli- 
cate of the one standing in front of the President's house in Washington, 
which was not only the first equestrian statue ever self-poised on the 
hind feet, but was also the first ever modeled and cast in the United 
States. " The incident selected for representation in this statue occurred 
at the battle of New Orleans, on the 8th of January, 1815. The com- 
mander-in-chief has advanced to the center of the lines in the act of 
review. The lines have come to present arms as a salute to their com- 
mander, who acknowledges it by raising his chapeau four inches from 
his head according to the military etiquette of that period. But his 
restive horse, anticipating the next evolution, rears and attempts to dash 
down the line, while his open mouth and curved neck show that he is 
being controlled by the hand of his noble rider." The statue was first 
placed on a temporary pedestal of wood, fronting northward, with the 
head of the horse turned toward the Capitol. April G, 1881, an appro- 
priation of $2,000 was made for the purpose of placing a marble or 
granite base under the statue, which was accordingly done about three 
years later. 

For some years previous to 1854 the State Library consisted entirely 
of donations from the General Government and from other States of the 
Union, and of the State's own publications. Counting a large number 
of duplicates, there were aboiit 10,000 volumes, but only about 1,500 or 
2,000 separate works. The books were kept in a room which was devot- 
ed to that purpose, in the Davidson County Court House, and which 
formed a kind of passage-way or ante-room to the governor and secre- 
tary of states' office, and the Representative Chamber.* It was conse- 
quently open all day, and even at night. On account of this negligence 
a large number of the law reports of the various States were misplaced, 
lost or stolen. In 1853, when the Legislature first met in the Capitol, 
the books were removed to that place, and by an act of January 20, 1854, 
the secretary of State was constituted ex officio librarian, with instruc- 
tions to keep the library open at least one day in the week. 

*The Legislature then met in the Court House, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 287 

By the active eiuleavors of a few enlightened men who knew the 
great need of a State Library, the Legislature was induced to insert two 
sections referring to the library into the general appropriation bill of 
1854 It appropriated ^5,000 to purchase a library, and K J. Meigs 
was appointed a commissioner to j^rocure books. A very excellent se- 
lection of books was made, and they were placed in the north ante-room 
of the library, the larger room not having been fitted up at that time. 

March 1, 1856, ^500 per annum was appropriated to make additions 
to the library, and R. J. Meigs was appointed librarian at a salary of 
$500. With the exception of the years from 1861 to 1868, from that 
time until 1879 annual appropriations varying from $500 to $2,500 were 
made for the purchase of additional books. Since 1871, however, no 
new books have been added, except those obtained by exchange with other 
States. The library now contains about 35,000 volumes of well-selected 
standard works, but in recent literature it is very deficient. 

For the past eight years this institution has been under the manage- 
ment of Mrs. S. K. Hatton, and her daughter. Miss Emma Hatton, the 
assistant librarian, and too much praise can not be accorded them for 
the fidelity and courtesy with which they have discharged their duties. 

The Tennessee Deaf and Dumb School owes its origin to the benevo- 
lent impulses and the prompt and persistent action of Gen. John Cocke, 
of Grainger County, while a member of the senatorial branch of the 
General Assembly. On December 20, 1843, a bill providing for the es- 
tablishment in Nashville of an institution for the blind, being on its third 
reading before the Senate, Gen. Cocke moved to amend by the addition 
of a section providing for the appropriation of $2,000 for putting into 
operation at Knoxville, a deaf and dumb school. After the substitution of 
$1,000 for $2,000 the amendment was adopted, and then the entire bill 
was rejected by a vote of eleven to thirteen. On the following day the vote 
was reconsidered, and other amendments were adopted. The vote on Gen. 
Cocke's amendment was reconsidered by a majority of three, but it was again 
adopted by a majority of one, and the bill was finally passed in the Senate 
December 21, 1843. The bill then went to the House, where on its 
third reading it was rejected by a majority of three, but the vote was subse- 
quently reconsidered, and the bill in the form in which it had left the 
Senate was passed January 29, 1844. The governor appointed, to 
constitute the first board of trustees, Messrs. R. B. McMullen, Joseph. 
Estabrook and D. R. McAnally, who met at Knoxville, July 27, 1844, 
and organized by electing Mr. McMullen, president, and Mr. McAnally, 
secretary. 

These gentlemen immediately went to work with characteristic zeal, 



288 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

opening correspondence with officers of similar institutions in other 
States, obtaining information as to the number and situation of the deaf 
mutes in this State, selecting a suitable building in which to open the 
school, and securing the services of a competent instructor for the pupils. 
Rev. Thomas Mclntire, a former teacher in the Ohio Deaf and Dumb 
SchooJ, was made the first principal, and under his charge the exercises 
of the school were begun in what was known as the Churchwell House, in 
East Knoxville, in June, 1845. By an act passed January 31, 1846, the 
General Assembly recognized the existence of the institution, incorpo- 
rated it, made better provision for its support, and added Messrs. T. Sul- 
lins, J. H. Cowan and Campbell Wallace to its board of trustees. 

It now became a leading object of the board to procure means for the 
erection of more appropriate buildings for the purposes of the school, 
and measures tending to that end were promptly undertaken and vigor- 
ously prosecuted. The board issued circular letters to the benevolent 
throughout the State, applied to Congress for a donation of public lands, 
established several local agencies, and fortunately placed in the position 
of manager of a general soliciting and collecting agency,* Col. John M. 
Davis, of Knox County. These efforts met with gratifying success, and 
over $4,000 was contributed by individuals. This sum, supplemented by 
appropriations made by the Legislature, enabled the trustees to erect a 
large and commodious building, at a cost of about $20,000. As origin- 
ally built it consisted of a main building 25x79 feet and three stories 
high, Avith two wings of the same size as the main building, altogether 
formijig a main front to the south of 100 feet, and east and west front of 
129 feet each. The grounds belonging to the institution were obtained 
at different times by gift and purchase. They now embrace about eight 
acres lying in a rectangular form, entirely surrounded by streets, and are 
handsomely improved. The original site, consisting of two acres, was 
donated by Calvin Morgan, of Knoxville, and the remaining six acres 
were purchased at a cost of about $G,000. 

After becoming permanently established in the new building the 
school -rapidly increased, both in numbers and efficiency. During the 
first session the number of pupils in attendance was nine, while in 1857 
the number had increased to eighty. In the year 1861 the school was 
among the largest institutions of the kind in the country, and received a 
liberal support from the State. The whole building had been refur- 
nished in a creditable manner, and the grounds were highly ornamented. 
But the war came. The school was disbanded, and the buildings were 
taken possession of by the military authorities, and were used by the con- 

*Coiilpiled from a report by Thomas L. Moses. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 289 

tending armies in turn for hospital purposes. In 1866 tlie buildings 
were turned over to the trustees in a badly damaged condition, and after 
some repairs had been made the school was again opened December 
3 of that year. Owing to the financial embarrassment of the State the 
appropriations to the institution for some time were scarcely adequate to 
supply its wants, and it required the exercise of the strictest economy on 
the part of its management to maintain the school. In 1873, however, 
the appropriation of ,^10,000 placed it upon a firm financial basis, and 
since that time it has been in a most prosperous condition. A few years 
ago a new chapel was erected and other improvements made, so that at 
present the institution can comfortably accommodate 125 pupils. 

In the fall of 1881 a school for colored mutes was opened in a rented 
house in East Knoxville, about one mile from the main building. The 
school numbered ten pupils, and was taught by Matt R. Mann, the pres- 
ent teacher, and a former pupil of the institution. Two years later a 
substantial brick building, with twenty-seven acres of land, situated 
about a mile east of the town, was rented for the use of the school. The 
number of pupils in this department in 1884 was seventeen. The white 
]:)upils for the same time numbered about 100. On December 24, 1882,- 
Mr. J. H. Ijams, who had been principal of the school for sixteen years, 
died, and Thomas L. Moses was elected to fill the vacancy, which posi- 
tion he still holds. This noble charity is well managed, and too much 
praise cannot be awarded to the patient, conscientious teachers, who have 
dedicated their lives to the work of educating these unfortunate children. 

The first school for the education of the blind in America was opened 
in Boston 1832. So favorable were the results obtained, that the subject 
was agitated throughout the country, and within the next twenty years 
nearly every State had made some provision for the education of her 
sightless children. In 1843 an exhibition was given in one of the 
churches of Nashville, showing the ability of the blind to read by the 
sense of touch. A good audience was assembled, to a majority of whom, 
the method of reading by the fingers was something new and surprising. 
An enthusiastic interest was awakened. The Legislature was petitioned 
for aid to establish a school, and $1,500 was appropriated by that body 
annually for two years. With this sum, increased by private subscrip- 
tions, a house was rented and furnished and the school opened. Mr. 
James Champlin, who had given the exhibition, was selected as the first 
teacher. He proved to be incompetent, and in a few months thereafter 
W. H. Churchman was elected principal. The pupils then numbered 
about fifteen. 

In 1846 a charter nominating J. T. Edgar, R. B. C. Howell*, J. T. 



290 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

"Wlieat and A. L. P. Green, as a board of trustees, was granted to the 
school, and the annual appropriations for the next two years was increased 
to $2,500. The household and domestic department was placed under 
the control of Mrs. John Bell, Mrs. William H. Morgan, Mrs. Matthew 
"Watson and Mrs. Joseph H. Marshall, all of whom had taken a deep in- 
terest in the institution from the first. After serving as principal of the 
school less than two years, Mr. Churchman resigned the position to en- 
ter upon a broader field of labor in Indiana, and Mr. E. W. Wlielan, of 
Philadelphia, was elected to take his place, which he retained until May, 
1849, when he was succeeded by Jacob Berry, also of Philadelphia. In 
little more than a month Mr. Berry died of cholera, also the matron, 
steward, and several of the most promising pupils. Mr. Whelan volun- 
teered in the midst of suffering and death to take charge of the school 
temporarily. His offer was accepted, and after holding the position a 
short time he was succeeded by Mr. Fortescue, who resigned in about 
two months. These frequent changes in the managemant of the school 
and still more the fatal visitation of cholera within the household, hin- 
dered its growth and retarded the improvement of the pupils. 

In November, 1850, J. M. Sturtevant was engaged to superintend the 
school. He took charge of it the following January, and for many years 
very acceptably performed the duties of the office. In 1852 a lot was 
purchased from the University of Nashville, and an appropriation was 
made for the erection of a building upon it. By the following January 
a house sufficiently spacious to meet the requirements of the school was 
completed. Additions were afterward made, and the grounds gradually 
improved until June, 1861, the whole cost of buildings and grounds hav- 
ing been, up to that time, about $25,000. In November of that year the 
building was demanded for the accommodation of the sick and wounded 
Confederates. The trustees refused to give it up, and on the 18th of the 
month the immates "were summarily ejected." The pupils who had no 
homes were distributed to private residences, and the furniture was stored 
away. 

After the Federals took possession of Nashville, in February, 1862, 
they continued to use it as a hospital until November, when by order of 
J. St. Clair Morton, Chief Engineer of the Army of the Ohio, the build- 
ing, together with all surrounding improvements, was entirely destroyed. 
At the close of the war a few of the pupils were collected and the school 
was reorganized. In October, 1872, Hon. John M. Lea, for $15,000, pur- 
chased the Claiborne residence with about seven acres of land, for the 
purpose of donating it to the Tennessee School for the Blind, to which it 
was conveyed immediately after the purchase. The Legislature of 1873 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 291 

acknowledged the excellence o£ the location and the munificence of the 
gift by appropriating $40,000 for the erection of a building "commen- 
surate with the wants of a first-class institution." A competent architect 
was employed, and it was decided to erect a wing on both the north and 
south sides of the mansion, giving when completed, an entire front of 
205 feet. To do this required additional appropriations. The next Gen- 
eral Assembly added $30,000 and the Legislature of 1879 set apart $34- 
000 for the use of the school, a portion of which, it was provided, might 
be expended in improvements upon the building. About three years 
ago provision was made for the admission of colored pupils, and a sepa- 
rate department was established for them. 

Although there are many larger institutions of the kind in this coun- 
try, with more costly buildings and grounds, yet in excellence of manage- 
ment and thoroughness of results, it is unexcelled. 

In addition to a literary education the boys are taught some simple 
mechanical trade, and the girls are instructed in sewing, and bead and 
other ornamental work. Much attention is also given to music, some 
of the graduates of that departmeii^ having become excellent teachers. 
The school is now under the superintendency of Prof. L. A. Bigelow, and 
in December, 1884, had an enrollment of sixty-nine pupils, eight of 
whom were colored. 

October 19, 1832, the Legislature passed an act to establish a lunatic 
hospital in this State, to be located in Davidson County, near Nashville, 
Francis Porterfield, Joseph Woods, Henry R. W. Hill, James Roane, 
Felix Robertson and Samuel Hogg were appointed commissioners to pur- 
chase a site and to erect a building, for which purpose $10,000 were 
appropriated. A small tract of land, about one mile from the city, was 
obtained, and the erection of the building begun. From some cause the 
work progressed very slowly, and the asylum was not ready for occu- 
pancy until 1840. Three years later there were only thirteen patients in 
the institution, which up to that time had cost the State over $56,000. 

In 1847 the well-known philanthropist, Miss D. L. Dix, visited Ten- 
nessee, and finding the accommodations for the insane inadequate, me- 
morialized the Legislature, and aroused the representatives of the people 
to take action upon the subject. It was decided to dispose of the old 
hospital and grounds and to erect new buildings on some more favorable 
site. The old grounds were too small, the water supply insufficient, the 
location unhealthy, and the arrangement of the building itself not good. 

By authority of the legislative act the governor appointed nine com- 
missioners to purchase a new site. They selected a large farm about six 
miles from Nashville, on the Murfreesboro pike, one of the healthiest 



292 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

localities in the State. Dr. John S. Young was employed as superin- 
tendent and A. Heiman as architect of the building to be erected. 
Before entering upon their work they visited various asylums in the 
North and East for the purpose of perfecting their plans. Butler Asy- 
lum, of Providence, R. I., was finally chosen as a model, with a slight 
change in the architecture. 

In 1849, with an appropriation of $75,000, the work of erection 
began, and in April, 1852, the patients were removed from the old hos- 
pital. Two years later two large wings were added, making the whole 
building capable of accpmmodating 250 patients. During the entire 
process of erection Miss Dix, who has made a study of buildings of this 
character, lent her aid and assistance, and so highly was this apprecia- 
ted that a room was especially fitted up for her to occupy whenever she 
chose to visit the institution.* The Tennessee Hospital for the Insane 
is of the castellated style of architecture, with twenty-four octagonal 
towers of proportionate dimensions, jjlaced on the corners of the main 
building and its wings, while from the center of the main building rises 
a larger octagonal tower, twenty-five feet above the roof, and sixteen feet 
in diameter. A range of battlements from tower to tower surrounds the 
whole edifice, following the angles of the several projections, giving a 
fine relief to it from any point of view. The extreme length of the main 
building and its wings from east to west is 405 feet and 210 feet from 
north to south. There are two airing courts in this area, each about 150 
feet square. The height of the main building from the ground to the top 
of the main tower is eighty-five feet. The center, right and left of the 
main building are four stories high without the basement; the interven- 
ing ranges and the wings are three stories high. Its interior arrange- 
ment and structure are in accordance with the most approved plans. In 
all the minutise of detail, the comfort, convenience and health of the 
patients have been very carefully studied. The ventilation of the build- 
ing is a decided feature in its construction. It is carried on by means of 
a centrifugal fan seventeen feet in diameter, driven by a steam-engine. 
The air is conducted through subterranean passages to the central cham- 
bers in the basement, and thence through the steam-pipe chambers into 
vertical flues passing through the entire building. The quantity of air 
discharged may be carried up to 70,000 cubic feet per minute to each 
occupant. Thus a constant supply of pure fresh air may be kept up 
during the most oppressive weather. The means of heating the build- 
ing are no less complete. The series of vertical flues before alluded to 
are constructed in the longitudinal walls of the halls, starting from a coil 

♦History of Davidson County and the Architect's Report. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 293 

of pipe or hot-air chambers in the basement story, from the halls and 
rooms of the different stories near the floor. By this arrangement the 
air supply is constant without reference to any external condition of 
weather or temperature. Water is pumped by the engine from a reser- 
voir to a tank in the center of the building, and from thence distributed 
by pipes to other parts of the institution. Soon after the war suit- 
able quarters removed from the main building were erected by the State, 
at a cost of about $25,000, for the accommodation of the colored insane. 
The grounds now include 480 acres, and the entire property is valued at 
about $400,000. 

This admirably managed charity has been under the superintendency 
of Dr. John H. Calleuder for several years, and has accomplished a 
vast amount of good in extending the most helpful and tender ministra- 
tions to the suffering insane. In December, 1884, the whole number of 
patients in the institution was 412, of whom a few were colored. The 
annual cost per patient for the two years previous was $178.68. In 1883 
the superintendent, as he had done in many previous reports, urged upon 
the Legislature the necessity of providing more accommodations for the 
insane of the State. At that session $80,000 was appropriated for the 
East Tennessee Insane Asylum, to be erected near Knoxville upon the 
property known as Lyon's View, which the State had purchased for that 
purpose some time before. Agreeably to the provision of the act mak- 
ing the appropriation the governor appointed R. H. Armstrong, J. C. 
Flanders and Columbus Powell, all of Knoxville, to constitute a board of 
directors, who promptly organized and elected W. H. Cusack, of Nash- 
ville, architect, and Dr. Michael Campbell, of Nashville, superintending 
physician of construction. The board of directors, with the superintend- 
ing physician and architect, after visiting some of the most famous asy- 
lums in the country, adopted a plan embracing the latest improvements, 
both sanitary and architectural. The asylum consists of nine buildings, 
including an administration building, chapel, kitchen, laundry, boiler- 
house and engine-house. The main front is 472 feet long. The wards 
consist of 174 rooms that will accommodate from 250 to 300 patients. 
In 1885 the original appropriation had been exhausted, and an additional 
sum of $95,000 was granted by the Legislature for the completion of the 
buildings. The asylum was ready for occupancy March 1, 1886, and a 
transfer of the patients belonging to East Tennessee was made. No more 
beautiful and desirable spot could have been chosen for an insane asy- 
lum than Lyon's View. Within four miles of the city of Knoxville, high 
in elevation, commanding a full view of the river and the adjacent heights 
with their attractive scenery, the location possesses in itself all the 



294 HISTOliY OF TENNESSEE. 

requirements that could possibly be desired in an institution designed for 
the comfort, care and cure of the unfortunate insane.* The asylum 
itself is one of the most stately and best equipped in the country, and 
stands an honorable monument to the munificent charity of Tennessee. 

Even with these two large asylums it was found that not all of this 
unfortunate class, who are peculiarly the wards of the State, could be 
accommodated, and an appropriation of $85,000 was made for the erec- 
tion of a similar institution in West Tennessee. John M. Lea, John H. 
Callendar and W. P. Jones were appointed commissioners to select a site 
and superintend the construction of the buildings. These commissioners, 
after spending several weeks in visiting and carefully examining several 
places, selected a point between three and four miles northwest of Boli- 
var, in Hardeman County. The structure will be of brick with white 
stone trimmings. Its length will be 750 feet, with a depth of 40 feet. 
The central or main portion of the building will be five stories high, and 
will be occupied by the oJEfices and domestic apartments of the officers. 
On either side of the main building are to be two sections four stories 
high, separated from each other by fire-proof walls. Between the tiers 
of rooms will be large corridors, and above each corridor lofty flues, all 
so arranged as to secure perfect ventilation and sufficient light. The 
building will cost over $200,000, without the furnishing, and will accom- 
modate 250 patients. 

Previous to the adoption of the penitentiary system, the severity of 
the penal laws of the State tended rather to increase than to decrease the 
number of crimes committed. As the means of punishment were limited 
to the whipping-post, stocks, pillory, county jail, the branding-iron and 
the gallows, the penalties were either lighter than could prove effective, 
or else in severity out of all proportion to the offense committed. In 
either case the result was the same, the severe penalty frequently pre- 
venting conviction. The penalty, as expressed in the following act passed 
October 23, 1799, is an example of the punishments inflicted for crimes of 

that character: 

Be it enacted, "That from and after the passage of this act any person who shall 
be guilty of feloniously stealing, taking or carrying away any horse, mare or gelding, 
shall for such offense suffer death without benefit of clergy." 

For some years after the organization of the State many of the penal 
laws remained the same as before its separation from North Carolina. 
In 1807 an act was passed by the General Assembly fixing a somewhat 
lighter penalty for several felonies. For grand larceny, arson and 
malicious prosecution, the penalty for the first offense was the infliction 
upon the bare back of a number of lashes, not to exceed thirty-nine, 

*Gov. Bate. I 



HISTOKY- OF TENNESSEE. 295 

imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed twelve months, 
and to "be rendered infamous, according to the laws of the land." For 
the second offense, the penalty was death. The penalties for forgery 
and perjury were even more severe. In the earlier days of civilization 
such punishments would have been deemed mild, but at the time in which 
these laws were passed, the growth of humanizing influences rendered 
their cruelty apparent, and not infrequently the culprit escaped convic- 
tion more on account of the sympathy of the judge and jury than from a 
lack of sufficient evidence against him. This fact was recognized, and 
the successive governors in nearly every message urged upon the General 
Assembly the necessity of establishing a penitentiary. In 1813 an act 
was passed requiring the clerk of each county court to keep a subscrip- 
tion list for the purpose of permitting persons "to subscribe a Ay amount 
they may think proper for erecting a penitentiary." This plan of raising 
money for that purpose was not a success, as four years later the total 
sum subscribed amounted to only ^2,173.40, a great part of which the 
committee appointed to investigate the matter thought could not be col- 
lected. In 1819 Gov. McMinn again brought the subject before the 
Legislature. In his message he says: "Notwithstanding some fruitless 
attempts have been made toward establishing a penitentiary in this State, 
yet I think it my duty to bring the subject before you, and with an 
earnest hope that in your wisdom and in your love of humanity and jus- 
tice you will lend your aid in commencing a work which will do lasting 
honor to its founders." Nothing more, however, was done until October 
28, 1829, when the act providing for the building of the penitentiary 
became a law. The ground selected for the site of the institution con- 
tains about ten acres, and is situated about one mile southwest of the 
court house in Nashville. Contracts for the building were let in April, 
1830, and work was immediately begun, under the supervision of the 
architect, David Morrison. The rock used in its construction was 
quarried upon the ground, and so vigorously was the work prosecuted 
that a proclamation was issued by the governor January 1, 1831, an- 
nouncing the penitentiary open to receive prisoners. At the same time 
the revised penal code went into effect. The following description of the 
building as it originally appeared is taken from a Nashville paper issued 
December 7, 1830: "The principal front of the building presents a 
southern exposure, is 310 feet long, and consists of a center and two 
wings. The former, slightly projecting, is composed of brick embel- 
lished with cut stone dressing, 120 feet long, 32 feet wide, and three 
stories high. It contains the warden and keeper's apartments, two in- 
firmaries, an apartment for confining female convicts, and sundry other 



296 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

rooms for the use of the establishment. In surveying the front of the 
center building, the most conspicuous feature that strikes the eye is a 
large gateway in the center 23 feet high, 14 feet wide, the piers and arch 
being formed of large blocks of well-polished white stone, and filled by a 
massive wrought iron port-cullis weighing nearly a ton. The wings are 
constructed of large blocks of well-dressed lime stone, the wall being 4 
feet thick and 33 feet high, pierced with narrow, grated windows corre- 
sponding in height with those of the center. On the center of the build- 
ing, and immediately over the gateway above described, rises a splendid 
Doric cupola that accords with the noble proportions of the whole. In 
the rear of the building a wall 30 feet high incloses an area of 310 
square feet. At each angle of the wall is a tower for the purpose of 
viewing tile establishment." The entire cost of the building was about 
$50,000. In 1857 the west wing was added at a cost of $36,000, and in 
1867 two large workshops, known respectively as the east and west 
shops, were built. The first prisoner received into the institution was 
W. G. Cook, from Madison County. It is stated that he was a tailor, 
and was convicted of malicious stabbing and assault and battery. He 
stabbed a man with his shears, and assaulted him with his goose.* He 
was made to cut and make his own suit, the first work done in the peni- 
tentiary. In June, 1833, the cholera began its ravages among the in- 
mates. Its progress was so rapid that in a few days business was entirely 
suspended, and an extra force of nurses and physicians was employed. 
Out of eighty-three convicts not one escaped the disease, and nineteen 
of the number died. The following year the disease again broke out, but 
was not so destructive in its results as before. 

While the number of prisoners was small, they were employed by the 
State under the supervision of appointed officers, in the manufacture of 
various articles of trade. In 1833 they were classified under the follo^\'- 
ing departments: shoe-makers, coopers, stone-cutters, tailors, chair-mak- 
ers, hatters, blacksmiths, wagon-makers, carjjenters and brick-layers. 
Other departments were afterward added and some of the above dropped, 
the aim of the State being to employ as far as possible the convicts upon 
such work as would come into the least competition with private manu- 
facturers. 

This system was employed with more or less success until 1866, when 
the inspectors reported that for the previous thirty-three years the insti- 
tion had cost the State an average of $15,000 per year. The Legislature 
at that session passed an act establishing a board of three directors, who 
were authorized to lease the prison, machinery and convicts to the high- 

*Warden's Report, 18S4. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 297 

est bidders for a term of four years. The lease was made to the firm of 
Hyatt, Briggs & Moore, afterward Ward & Briggs, at 40 cents per day for 
each convict. It was agreed upon the part of the State to provide the 
necessary guards to preserve discipline. The firm entered upon the fulfill- 
ment of the contract. In May, 1867, 300 convicts joined in an attempt 
to escape, and created great excitement. Quiet was restored without 
bloodshed, but the mutinous spirit was not quelled, and the following 
month they succeeded in setting fire to the east shops, which were de- 
stroyed. 

A difiiculty then arose between the State and the lessees. The latter 
refused to pay for the labor and claimed damages from the State for this 
failure to preserve discipline and for the losses occasioned by the fire. 
The lease was terminated by mutual agreement July 1, 1869, and the 
matter compromised by the State paying the lessees $132,200.64 for the 
material on hand, and in settlement of the damages claimed by them. 
In December, 1S71, provision was again made for leasing the prisoners 
and shops. The contract was taken by W. H. Cherry, Thomas O'Con- 
nor, A. N. Shook and Gen. W. T. C. Humes, under the firm style of 
Cherry, O'Connor & Co. The second lease was taken December 1, 1876, 
by Messrs. Cherry, O'Connor, A. N. Shook and William Morrow, under 
the old firm name, with M. Allen as superintendent of the works. The 
lease system has proven highly satisfactory. Instead of requiring al- 
most yearly appropriations for its support, the institution now pays an 
annual revenue to the State of $101,000. The present lease, which is 
for six years, began January I, 1884, the Tenpessee Coal, Iron & Eail- 
road Company being the lessees. The headquarters of this company are 
at Tracy City, where about one -third of the prisoners are worked in the 
mines, and where a large and commodious prison has been erected. There 
are also branch prisons at the Inman mines in Marion County, and Coal 
Creek in Anderson County. A few prisoners are worked in marble works 
at Kuoxville. About 40 per cent of the entire number are at the main 
prison, where they are worked under a sub-lease by Cherry, Morrow 
& Co. The firm is engaged exclusively in the manufacture of wagons. 
The shops are equipped with all the latest improved machinery, enabling 
them to turn out about fifty finished wagons per day. In the manufact- 
ure of their wagons they begin with the raw material, making their own 
bent-work, iron-work, castings, thimbles and skeins. Their goods are 
sold throughout the South and Southwest, and also in several of the 
Northern and Western States. 

Under the present lease system the State is relieved from all expense 
of transportation and guarding of prisoners. The only officers connected 



298 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

with the institution who are paid by the State are the warden, superin- 
tendent, physician and chaplain. 

The number of convicts in the main prison and branches, December 
1, 1884, was 1,323; in 1880, the number was 1,241; in 1870, 613; in 
1857, 286, and in 1839, 154. During the late war the penitentiary was 
converted into a military prison, and at one time there were as many as 
2,400 inmates. Two fires, the former quite destructive, occurred within 
the past five years. December 4, 1881, the various workshops and ma- 
chinery belonging to the State and the lessees, were destroyed by fire, 
only the main building and cells escaping destruction. At the time over 
700 convicts were within the walls, and it became necessary to turn them 
all out into the space in front of the prison; yet, so well were they man- 
aged, that only six escaped. The shops were immediately rebuilt by the 
State, and the lessees put in new machinery. On January 12, 1884, the 
east end of the blacksmith shop was discovered to be on fire, and as the 
second story was used as a paint shop it threatened to prove very de- 
structive. It was, however, soon brought under control. The loss to the 
State was about ^3,300, which was fully covered by insurance. 

*Many years ago a society for the collection and preservation of his- 
torical papers, relics, antiquities, etc., existed in Nashville, j- It did not 
accomplish much, but its very organization showed the tendency of the 
minds in the city noted for scholarly attainments to endeavor to rescue 
from oblivion the history of a people remarkable for patriotism, chivalry 
and intelligence. After it had ceased to exist for a considerable time 
several public-spirited citizens met in the library-rooms of the Merchants' 
Association, to reorganize an historical society. This was in May, 1849, 
and the organization was effected by the election of Nathaniel Cross as 
president; Col. A. W. Putnam, vice-president; William A. Eichbaum, 
treasurer; J. R. Eakiu, corresponding secretary, and W. F. Cooper, re- 
cording secretary. This society did not exist many years, but was again 
brought to life in 1857, and at the May meeting elected the following 
officers: A. AV. Putnam, president; Thomos Washington, vice-president ; 
W. A. Eichbaum, treasurer; R. J. Meigs, Jr., corresponding secretary; 
Anson Nelson, recording secretary, and John Meigs, librarian. Contri- 
butions of valuable manuscripts, newspapers and relics poured in from 
all parts of the State, as well as a few from other States. 

A public anniversary meeting took place on the 1st of May, 1858, in 
Watkin's Grove. An immense procession of old soldiers of the war of 
1812, the Creek war, the Mexican war, the officers and cadets of the 
Western Military Institute, the Shelby Guards, the Nashville Typo- 

*Prepared by Anson Nelson, Esq., recording secretary. 

tXhe Tennessee Antiquarian tiociety, organized July 1, 1820. Discontinued in August, 1822. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 299 

graphical Union, the Philomathean Society, the teachers and pupils of 
the Nashville Female Academy, the superintendent, teachers and pupils 
of the public schools of Nashville, citizens on horseback, in carriages and 
buggies, and citizens on foot marched from the public square to Watkin's 
Grove, when a collation was served in excellent style to all present. The 
Hon. James M. Davidson, of Fayetteville, was the orator of the day. 
Judge T. T. Smiley read an historical account of the services of the Third 
Tennessee Eegiment in the war with Mexico. Gov. William B. Camp- 
bell and Eev. Dr. C. D. Elliott delivered eloquent addresses. Bands of 
music were distributed along the line of the procession, and the whole 
city made it a holiday occasion to commemorate the organization of the 
"provisional government" at Robertson's Station, now Nashville, May 1, 
1780, and the formation of the society May 1, 1849. At the annual 
celebration, May 1, 1859, Randal W. McGavock, mayor of Nashville and 
a grandson of Hon. Felix Grundy, presented a full length portrait of 
Judge Grundy, painted by Drury. John M. Bright, of Lincoln, delivered 
an eloquent oration on the life, character and public services of the 
renowned statesman and jurist. The exercises took place in the hall of 
the House of Representatives, in the presence of as many people as could 
obtain admittance. 

In September, 1859, a committee, consisting of Hon. Thomas Wash- 
ington, Col. A. W. Putnam and Rev. Dr. R. B. C. Howell, was appointed 
to urge the council of the city of Nashville to adopt suitable measures 
for the removal of the remains of Lieut. Chandler, formerly paymaster in 
the United States Army, from their place of interment in the Sulphur 
Spring Bottom, to Mount Olivet Cemetery. The committee accomplished 
their purpose, and on the 23d of September the remains were exhumed, 
after having lain in the grave for nearly sixty years. The occasion was 
marked by appropriate exercises, Hon. E. H. East delivering a patriotic 
address. 

In October, 1859, at the request of the society, Lieut. M. F. Maury, 
the distinguished scientist, delivered his celebrated lecture on the geog- 
raphy of the sea. In January, 1860, the society received from Egypt 
the fine Egyptian mummy now in the Capitol, sent by J. G. Harris of 
the United States Navy. After the meeting in September, 1860, the 
society ceased active operations until several years after the war. Many 
articles were lost during the war, but the small collection of coins was 
preserved intact. 

In 1874 the society reorganized by electing the following officers: 
Dr. J. G, M. Ramsey, president; Dr. R. C. Foster, vice-president; Dr. 
John H. Currey, treasurer ; Gen. G. P. Thurston, corresponding secretary ; 



300 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Anson Nelson, recording secretary, and Mrs. P. Haskell, librarian. On 
June 16, of that year, the society held a called session at Knoxville, the 
home of the President, who presided on that interesting occasion. The 
Eecording Secretary exhibited the original commission of Maj. -Gen. Israel 
Putnam, on parchment, issued June 19, 1775, signed by John Hancock, 
President, and Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. 
The society has also in its possession a vest worn by "Old Put," in the 
Pevolutionary war. 

In October, 1874, the society decided to participate in tlie fourth 
annual exposition of Nashville, and on the evening of October 6, the 
anniversary of the battle of King's Mountain, the He v. T. A. Hoyt deliv- 
ered an address giving the history of that important battle. The address 
was also delivered to a large audience in Knoxville. The centennial 
anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independ- 
ence, May 20, 1775, was celebrated by the society at the Nashville Fair 
Grounds, Ex-Gov. Niell S. Brown delivering the oration. At the May 
meeting in 1875, several delegates were appointed to attend the centen- 
nial of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in Charlottsville, 
N. C, only one of whom attended — Hugh L. Davidson, of Shelby ville. 
At the annual meeting in May, 1876, John M. Lea was elected vice-presi- 
dent, vice E. C. Foster; and J. B. Lindsley, librarian, vice Mrs. Haskell. 
The office of treasurer was attached to that of the recording secretary; 
the other offices remained the same as before. 

The National Centennial was duly celebrated by the society in the 
hall of the House of Representatives, Dr. John H. Callender, reading 
the Declaration of Independence. An elegant historical centennial 
address, written by Dr. Kamsey, president of the society, was read by Bev. 
T. A. Hoyt. Other exercises appropriate to the occasion were rendered. 

In 1878 the society commenced agitating the subject of celebrating 
the centennial of Nashville, and appointed a committee on that subject, 
who afterward reported a program for the exercises. Subsequently 
the idea expanded, and finally the society appointed a committee to wait 
upon the mayor and urge him to request the city council to call a public 
meeting to take action in the matter. This was done, and an enthusiastic 
interest was aroused. Various committees were appointed, an exposition 
was inaugurated, the orators chosen by the Historical Society were ap- 
proved, a grand civic procession for the 24:th of April provided for, and 
many other matters arranged to give eclat to the occasion. All of this 
was most successfully carried out, and the most sanguine expectations of 
the Historical Society were more than realized. On April 11, 1884, Dr. 
J. G. M. Bamsey, the distinguished president of the society, died at his 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 301 

home in Knoxville. A delegation of members, numbering eleven, went 
from Nashville to be present at the funeral obsequies which took place 
on the 13th, and were attended by a very large number of the citizens of 
Knoxville and the surrounding country. At the next annual meeting in 
May Hon. John M. Lea was elected to the office made vacant by the 
death of Dr. Bamsey, 

The society is indebted to the trustees of Watkins' Institute for the 
use of a large and elegant room in that building, for the exhibition of its 
books, manuscripts and relics, of which it has a great number. 

Among the most interesting relics may be mentioned the musket of 
Daniel Boone, the veritable "Old Betsey;" the sword of Gov. John Se- 
vier, and one of the pistols presented to him by the State of North Caro- 
lina ; the sword of Col. Dupuyser, of the British Army, taken from him at 
the battle of King's Mountain; the red silk sash worn by Gen. Ferguson, 
when he was killed at King's Mountain ; one of the chairs used by Gen. 
Nathaniel Greene ; also one used by President Fillmore ; the sword, coat 
and epaulette of Capt. Samuel Price, worn in the battle of Frenchtown, 
Raisin River, Mich. ; the pitcher used at the treaty of Hopewell ; three 
■canes formerly belonging to President Polk, one in the form of a ser- 
pent, one bearing the electoral vote cast for him for President, the other 
a hickory cane from the Hermitage; the first greenback $5 note 
issued by the United States; the portfolio used by Henry Clay in the 
United States Senate ; over thirty battle-flags used by Tennessee soldiers 
in different wars from 1812 to 1865. 

Among the manuscripts of the society are an old book in an excellent 
state of preservation, kept in Nashville by a merchant in 1795; the jour- 
nals of Gov. William Blount from 1790 to 1796 ; the proceedings of the 
courts martial during Jackson's campaign in 1813, kept by Col. William 
White, acting judge-advocate; journal of Capt. John Donelson and com- 
panions while on their voyage from Holston River down the Tennessee, 
up the Ohio and Cumberland to what is now Nashville in 1779-80. 

The society also possesses portraits of Prof. Priestly, Dr. Gerard 
Troost, Dr. Phillip Lindsley, Hon. Felix Grundy, Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey, 
Anson Nelson, Dr. Felix Robertson and his parents, Henry Clay, Davy 
Crockett and many others, besides portraits of all the governors of the 
State with the exception of two, Roane and McMinn. 

Among the old and rare books are a copy of the Polydori Vergil II, 
in Latin, bound in vellum, printed in 1611; a copy of Cicero's "Discourse 
on old age," printed by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1744; 
"Dioscoridis Mat. Med.," bound in parchment, printed in 1552; copies of 
the Bible printed in 1678 and 1757, respectively. 



•U)2 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The present officers of the society are Hon. John M. Lea, president r 
Ex-Gov. James D. Porter, first vice-president ; Capt. Albert T. McNeal, 
second vice-president; Joseph S. Carels, treasurer; James A. Cart- 
wrio-ht, corresponding secretary; Anson Nelson, recording secretary; 
Eobert T. Quarles, librarian. 

The Medical Society of Tennessee* was incorporated by an act of 
the Legislature, passed January 9, 1830, one hundred and fifty-four 
physicians from the various counties of the State being named in the 
charter. Certain powers and privileges were granted, among which was 
the power to appoint boards of censors, for the three divisions of the State, 
to grant licenses to applicants to practice medicine within its limits. The 
first meeting of the society was held in Nashville May 3, 1830, and its 
organization completed by adopting a constitution, by-laws and a code of 
medical ethics, and by electing officers for two years. These were James 
Koane, of Nashville, president; James King, of Knoxville, vice-prsident ; 
James M. "Walker, of Nashville, recording secretary; L. P. Yandell, of 
Kutherford County, corresponding secretary, and Boyd McNair, of Nash- 
ville, treasurer. Prof. Charles Caldwell, of Transylvania University, 
being iii town at the time, was elected an honorary member of the society, 
and a committee was appointed to extend him an invitation to visit the 
meeting. The censors appointed for Middle Tennessee were Drs. Doug- 
lass, Stith, Hogg and Estill; for East Tennessee, Drs. McKinney and 
Temple; and for the western division of the State, Drs. Young and Wil- 
son. The code of ethics was the same as that adopted by the Central 
Medical Society of Georgia in 1828. After adopting a resolution con- 
demning the habitual use of ardent spirits and recommending total ab- 
stinence, except when prescribed as a medicine, the society adjourned. 

The second assembling of the society took place in Nashville May 2, 
1861. Sixty members responded at roll-call, and fifty-four were added 
during the session, constituting the largest meeting ever held. Dr. John 
H. Kain, of Shelbyville, the first orator appointed, delivered the anni- 
versary discourse before the society on "Medical Emulation." Dr. 
Yandell having been called to a professorship in the Transylvania Uni- 
versity, resigned his office in the society, and delivered an address which 
was ordered to be published. He was subsequently elected an honorary 
member, and though he became a citizen of another State, no one ever 
served the society more faithfully, or contributed more to advance its in- 
terests. A premium of $50 was offered at this meeting for the best 
essay on "The use and abuse of calomel," which two years later was 
awarded to James Overton, M. D. of Nashville. Dr. James G. M. 

♦Condensed from its history, furnished by Paul F. Eve, M. D., in 1S72. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 303 

Bamsey, of Knoxville, sent liis essay on tlie topography of East Ten- 
nessee, and Dr. Becton read liis own on the topography of Rutherford 
County. This session was one of the most enthusiastic and interesting 
ever held. By invitation of the governor, the society Adsited the peni- 
tentiary, then just erected. The third convocation of this body took 
place in Nashville, where it continued to meet until 1851, when it con- 
vened at Murfreesboro. Many of these sessions were very interesting, 
and several valuable contributions were added to medical literature. The 
limited facilities for travel, however, rendered it impossible for members 
from distant parts of the State to attend without losing a large amount 
of time and experiencing considerable inconvenience; consequently the 
number in attendance was frequently very small. 

At the third session a committee was appointed to ask the Legisla- 
ture to repeal the law making it a penitentiary offense to exhume a 
human body for the purpose of dissection, but this, as was the case with 
several other petitions presented by the society, the Legislature refused 
to grant. 

At the meeting in 1843 the society decided to establish a museum at 
Nashville for the mutual improvement of its members. Subsequently a 
committee was appointed to solicit from the Legislature a donation for 
the museum and a library, but the request was not granted. Upon the 
establishment of the medical department of the University of Nashville 
the museum wias transferred to that institution. 

At the session of the society held in Murfreesboro, in 1851, the code 
of ethics adopted by the American Medical Association in 1847 was 
substituted for the one heretofore governing this body. 

The society met at Murfreesboro again in 1852, but the following 
year convened at Nashville. The complete catalog of the membership 
of the society up to that time was 307. In 1857 twenty-five delegates 
were appointed to the American Medical Association, which assembled in 
Nashville the following year. The thirty-second annual meeting of the 
Tennessee Medical Society was held in the Masonic Hall at Murfreesboro 
April 2, 1861. The attendance was small, only eleven members being 
present at roll-call. Owing to the unsettled condition of the country no 
more meetings were held until April 20, 1866, when seven members as- 
sembled at Nashville. Dr. Robert Martin was elected president, and Dr. 
Nichol re-elected vice-president. But little business was transacted, and 
after the appointment of several committees preparatory to the next meet- 
ing, the society adjourned. From that time until the present, meetings 
have been held annually. In 1871 the society convened at Pulaski; in 
1874 at Chattanooga; and in 1878 at Memphis. In 1872 a committee of 



304 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

nine, three for each grand division of the State, was appointed for the 
purpose of forming and encouraging local societies. Two years later 
Drs. J. B. Lindsey, J. J. Abernethy and P. D. Sims were constituted a 
committee to examine the workings of the various State medical societies 
and report, at the next annual meeting, such amendments and by-laws as 
might tend to strengthen the society. This was accordingly done, and at 
the next meeting the constitution as revised by the committee was 
adopted after a full and free discussion. Since 1874 delegates have been 
appointed to each annual meeting of the American Medical Association, 
and in 1876 Drs. Paul F. Eve, Yan S. Lindsley, D. C. Gordon, W, P. 
Jones, J. H. Yan Deman, W. C, Cook, Thomas Menees, F. Bogart, J. B. 
Buist, S. S. Mayfield, H. J. Warmouth and A. Blitz were appointed 
delegates to the International Medical Congress. 

The forty-seventh annual meeting was held at Knoxville, beginning 
April 6, 1880. The local attendance was quite large, and a number of 
delegates from Middle Tennessee were present, but the western division 
of the State was not so largely represented. Among the notable features 
of this meeting was the election of the first female doctor to membership, 
she being regularly delegated from the Knox County Medical Society, of 
which she was an accepted member. The lady was Mary T. Davis. 

In 1881 two meetings were held. At the date of the regular meeting 
on April 5, the society was convened in the supreme court room of the 
capitol, and the committee on arrangements reported that acting under 
the authority of the president, and at the request of a number of physi- 
cians of Knoxville, notices of an adjourned meeting had been sent out. 
Therefore, after having received the governor's signature to the bill, 
which had just passed the Legislature, requiring the registration of the 
births, deaths, and marriages* in the State, the society adjourned to meet 
on May 10, 1881. At that time the continental exposition was in prog- 
ress, and the meeting was well attended. 

The next year the society assembled at Casino Hall, in Memphis, on 
May 9. The attendance was not large, but the session proved an inter- 
esting one. Among its social features was a very pleasant excursion on 
the steamer " Benner," given by Dr. R. W. Mitchell, of the National 
Board of Health. The fiftieth annual meeting was held in Nashville, be- 
ginning April 10, 1883. One of the pleasing incidents of the session 
was an address by Gov. Bate. On April 8, 1884, the society again con- 
vened at Chattanooga just two years after its former meeting in that city. 
The session was in every respect one of the most successful ever held. 
Several amendments to the constitution were adopted, one of which abol- 

*This law was repealed by the next Legislature. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 305 

» 

ished the boards of censors, and established in lieu a judicial council 
composed of the ex-presidents of the society. Fifty dollars was appropri- 
ated to assist in the erection of a monument to the memory of Dr. J. 
Marion Sims. The fifty-second annual meeting was held in the hall of 
Representatives in the State Capitol, April l-t to 16, 1885. Several inter- 
esting papers were read, and considerable business of importance was 
transacted. 

The last meeting of the society was held in Memphis, on the first 
Tuesday in April, 1886. The present officers are Thomas L. Mad- 
din, M. D., of Nashville, president; Drs. S. T. Hardison, J. E. Black 
and G. W. Drake, vice-presidents, for Middle, West and East Tennessee, 
respectively; Dr. C. C. Eite, secretary and Dr. Deering J. Eoberts, 
treasurer 

The subject of preventive medicine has been for several years attract- 
ing more and greater attention, especially from the occurrence of fre- 
quent epidemics throughout the Union. The necessity of some organ- 
ized and co-operative efforts* on the part of persons clothed with au- 
thority to take such steps as may be deemed sufficient to protect the 
country from the rapid spread of epidemics, became so apparent that 
many of the States organized State Boards of Health, and such powers 
were delegated to them as were thought proper to effect the purpose of 
their creation. 

This idea reached material development in this State in 1866, when 
the first board of health in Tennessee was organized at Nashville. Soon 
after a similar organization was formed for the city of Memphis, since 
which time local boards of health have been established in all of the 
larger towns and most of the smaller ones in the State. All are pro- 
ducing good fruit by developing an intelligent public sentiment and a 
growing interest in regard to the value and importance of sanitary 
science as applied not only to communities, but also to individuals, 
households and persons. In April, 1874, a committee was appointed by 
the State Medical Society to prepare and to present to the State Legisla- 
ture at its next session a bill providing for the establishment of a State 
Board of Health. This bill passed the House but was lost in the Sen- 
ate. Two years later another -bill was presented, which, after much ex- 
planation, finally passed with the section of the bill providing for an ap- 
propriation of funds stricken out, thus securing the organization simply 
of the "State Board of Health of the State of Tennessee," without any 
executive power or means with which to carry out any of the more practical 
objectsfor which it was established; consequently they were compelled to 

*From the Eeports of 1880 and 1884. 



306 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

content themselves with acting as an advisory body only, notwithstanding 
the western and southern portions of the State as far east as Chattanooga 
were, during the summer of 1878, swept by a most disastrous epidemic 
of yellow fever. They issued advisory circulars through the secular 
press upon the lesser epidemics, such as scarlet fever and diphtheria, 
which appeared in difPerent localities through the State, and otherwise 
gave timely counsel to the people, and created, as opportunity afforded, an 
interest in the subject of public hygiene. Two years subsequently the 
Legislature passed an amendatory act, which was approved by the gov- 
ernor, March, 1879, giving the board additional powers and making a 
small appropriation of money, which enabled them to obtain an office 
and pay their secretary a salary.' 

The first meeting of the board was held April 3, 1877, in the 
office of the Secretary of State, the following members appointed by 
the governor being present: Drs. J. D. Plunket, T. A. Atchison, James 
M. Safford, of Middle Tennessee; E. M. Wight, of East Tennessee, and 
El. B. Maury, of West Tennessee. Dr. J. D. Plunket, to whose exertion 
the board largely owed its existence, was chosen president, and Dr. J. 
Berrien Lindsley was appointed secretary pro fern. Committees were 
appointed on vital statistics, hygiene of schools, prisons, geological and 
topographical features of Tennessee in relation to disease, and epidemic, 
endemic and contagious diseases. 

The first annual meeting of the board was held in Memphis, April, 
1878, concurrently with the meeting of the State Medical Society. Lit- 
tle business of importance was transacted. The office of vice-president 
was created, and Dr. J. M. Safford was elected to that position. Follow- 
ing this meeting came the epidemic of yellow fever of 1878, yet the 
board was powerless to do aught to stay its dreadful ravages. A reign of 
terror existed, and, though badly needed, there was no guide, no head 
of power. The experience of that terrible season taught even the law- 
makers that a State Board of Health with enlarged powers and increased 
facilities was a necessity. Therefore March 26, 1879, an amendatory 
act was passed giving the board power to declare and enforce quaran- 
tine, and to prescribe rules and regulations to prevent the introduction 
of yellow fever and other epidemic diseases. The act also required the 
governor to appoint two additional members of the board connected with 
the commerce and transportation of the country, and appropriated $3,000 
to defray expenses. Hon. John Johnson, ex-mayor of Memphis, and 
Col. E. W. Cole, of Nashville, were chosen as the new members of the 
board. At the second annual meeting Dr. Lindsley resigned his posi- 
tion as secretary, and Dr. W. M. Clark was elected to fill out the unex- 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 307 

pired term. lu auticipatiou of the reappearance of the yellow fever in 
1879, the board issued 10,000 copies of an address urging the people of 
the State to organize local boards of health to co-operate with the State 
Board. In consequence of Ihis action many local boards were formed, 
and the State Board was thus enabled to carry on, with but little diffi- 
culty, its plans for staying the progress of the epidemic which followed. 
Since that time no widespread epidemic has visited the State, and the 
work of the board has been directed to the improvement of the sanitary 
condition of the jails, penitentiaries, etc., the education of the people in 
sanitary science, and the collection of valuable vital statistics. The 
board as constituted at the present time is as follows: J. D. Plunket, 
president; James M. Saiford, vice-president; J. B. Lindsley, secretary; 
G. B. Thornton, P. D. Sims, Daniel R Wright, David P. Hadden and 
E. W. Cole. 

As early as 1834 or 1835 the Tennessee Agricultural and Horticul- 
tural Society was organized, and annual fairs were held for a few years. 
The officers elected at the meeting held October 13, 1835, were Dr. Phil- 
lip Lindsley, president; Drs. John Shelby and Felix Eobertson, vice- 
presidents; H. Petway, treasurer, and Joseph T. Dv>^yer, secretary. In 
1840 the society established a paper called the Tennessee State Agricul- 
tm'alist, of which Tolbert Fanning was installed as editor. Drs. Girard 
Troust and John Shelby were liberal contributors to its columns. In 
1842 the Tennessee State Agricultural Society, including members from 
most of the counties of Middle Tennessee, was incorporated with an auth- 
orized capital stock of ^100,000. 

December 18, 1851, several of the leading agriculturalists of the State, 
prominent among whom were Mark R. Cockrill, W. G. Harding, Wil- 
loughby Williams and Tolbert Fanning, secured the re-incorporation of 
the society, with authority to organize two auxiliary societies, one for 
each of the other two divisions of the State. These societies served to 
create an interest in improved methods of agriculture, and during the 
session of 1853—54 the subject was presented to the Legislature. The 
result was the organization of the Tennessee State Agricultural Bureau, 
consisting of the governor, ex-officio president, one member from each 
grand division of the State, five members from Davidson County, and 
one member from each of the county societies organized. It was made 
the duty of the bureau to investigate all such subjects relating to the 
improvement of agriculture as it might think proper, and to encourage 
the establishment of county agricultural societies. For the support of 
the bureau, it was provided that when $1,000 had been raised by contri- 
butions of individuals and placed out at interest, the bureau should be 



308 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

entitled to receive from the treasury of the State the sum of $500, 
Each county society was also to receive $50 from the State when $300 
had been contributed by individuals. It was found difficult for the 
county societies to comply with the latter proviso, and in 1856 the act 
was ameuded and a bounty of $200 granted to each society without re- 
quiring any individual contributions. At the same time $30,000 was 
appropriated for the purchase of suitable grounds for the biennial fairs 
to be held at Nashville, and State bonds to that amount were issued. A 
tract of land containing thirty-nine acres, lying on Brown's Creek, was 
purchased from John Trimble for the sum of $17,750. The work of 
fitting up the grounds was immediately begun, and by October they were 
sufficiently improved to admit of holding the annual fair upon them. 
The fair of that year, however, was not so successful as previous ones,, 
owing to unfavorable weather, and to the excitement incident to the 
presidential campaign than in progress. The improvements of the 
grounds was completed during the following year, and from the secre- 
tary's report it appears that the entire cost of the grounds and improve- 
ments exceeded $30,000. 

The sixth and last annual fair was begun on October 10; 1859, and 
continued six days. This was one of the most successful fairs held. 
The number of people in attendance on the second day was estimated at 
10,000, to which assemblage an elaborate and instructive address was de- 
livered by Lieut. M. F. Maury. 

In the reports made by the officers of the society much regret is ex- 
pressed at the lack of interest in making creditable exhibits of stock and 
other farm products. But the greatest good derived from these annual 
fairs came from the addresses delivered by scientific men like Lieut. 
Maury. They served to give the farmer a broader idea of his profession 
and to awaken him to the fact that there is a science of agriculture. 

During the war, as a matter of course, the agricultural societies were 
suspended, and but little effort has since been made to revive them. In 
1870 the old fair grounds of the State Agricultural Society were sold by 
a committee appointed by the Legislature, consisting of the secretary of 
state, comptroller and treasurer. 

In December, 1871, an act was passed authorizing the governor to 
appoint two citizens from each grand division of the State, as commis- 
sioners of agriculture, to constitute a bureau of agriculture. They were 
required to meet once each year, and were allowed to appoint a secretary, 
at a salary of $600 per year. The Legislature of 1875 abolished this 
department, and in its stead established the Bureau of Agriculture, Sta- 
tistics and Mines, to be under the control of a commissioner appointed 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 309 

by the governor. It is made the duty of the commissioner to collect 
specimens of all the agricultural and mineral products of the State; to 
analyze and inspect fertilizers sold in the State; to study the insects in- 
jurious to crops; to study the diseases of grain, fruit and other crops, 
and to collect statistics bearing upon these subjects. He is also allowed 
to employ a chemist and geologist to assist him in his researches. At 
the .same time a bureau of immigration was established for the purpose 
of encouraging immigration to the State. Two years later the duties 
of this office were imposed upon the Bureau of Agriculture, Statistics 
and Mines, which had been placed under the control of J. B. Killebrew, 
as commissioner, a man of great ability, and untiring energy. He did 
much to make known the immense natural resources of the State; he 
wrote and published works on "Wheat Culture," " Tennessee Grasses and 
Cereals," "The Mineral Wealth of the State," "Sheep Husbandry,"' and 
an extensive work entitled "The Resources of Tennessee," all admirably 
well written. For the past three years the bureau has been under the 
efficient management of A. J. McWhirter. 

The first charter issued to a Masonic Lodge in Tennessee was grant- 
ed in accordance with a petition received by the Grand Lodge of North 
Carolina, December 17, 1796. The lodge was organized in Nashville, 
and was known as St. Tammany, No. 1. The Grand Lodge of North 
Carolina continued its authority over Tennessee until 1812. During the 
same period a charter was issued to one lodge in this State by the Grand 
Lodge of Kentucky, and a dispute arose between these two grand lodges 
in regard to their jurisdiction. In 1805 the Grand Secretary of the 
Grand Lodge of North Carolina was directed to write to the Grand 
Lodge of Kentucky, and request them to call in all dispensations or 
charters granted to lodges in Tennessee. The request was not complied 
with, and two years later it was renewed with the warning that, if it 
were not heeded, all communication between them would cease. The 
difficulty, however, was not settled until a separate Grand Lodge for 
Tennessee was. established. 

On December 11, 1811, a convention, consisting of representatives 
from all the lodges in Tennessee, met at Knoxville. Resolutions favor- 
ing the formation of a separate grand lodge were passed, and an address 
to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina prepared. This address was re- 
ceived by the Grand Lodge at its next meeting in December, 1812, and ' 
the petition for a separate grand lodge granted. Accordingly Grand 
Master Robert Williams called a convention to meet in Knoxville, on 
December 27, 1813, at which time a charter, or deed of relinquishment, 
from the Grand Lodge of North Carolinia was presented. This charter 



310 HISTOBY or TENNESSEE. 

is still on file iu the archives of the Grand Lodge, and is said to be the 
only charter of the kind in the United States. 

The officers installed the first meeting were Thomas Claiborne, 
Grand Master; George Wilson, Deputy Grand Master; John Hall, Se- 
nior Grand Warden ; Abraham K. Shaifer, Junior Grand Warden ; Thom- 
as McCarry, Grand Treasurer and Senior Grand Deacon; Edward Scott, 
Grand Secretary and Junior Grand Deacon. At the meeting held in 
July following a controversy arose as to whether the subordinate lodges 
could work under their old charters. It was finally decided to allow them 
to do so until new charters could be granted 

The constitution as originally adopted provided that the meetings of 
the Grand Lodge should be held at the place where the Legislature con- 
vened. In 1815 this was amended, and Nashville was permanently fixed 
as the place of meeting. Quarterly meetings of the Grand Lodge were 
held until October, 1819, when they were abolished. At a called meet- 
ing on May 4, 1825, Gen. La Fayette, who was then visiting Nashville, 
was elected an honorary member of the Grand Lodge, and during the 
day was introduced to the lodge by Gen. Jackson. The Grand Master 
delivered an address of welcome, to which Gen. La Fayette replied. An 
eleo-ant oration was then delivered by William G. Hunt, J. G. W., after 
which a banquet terminated the exercises. 

At the annual meeting held in October, 1825, Gen. Samuel Houston 
presented a memorial concerning a difficulty which had arisen between 
him and another member of Cumberland Lodge, No. 8. Upon hearing 
the case the committee completely exonerated Gen, Houston from all 
charo-es of unmasonic conduct, but two years later he was suspended by 
his lodo-e. He appealed to the Grand Lodge, but the decision of the 
subordinate lodge was not reversed. The chief grounds of his suspen- 
sion was his having fought a duel with another Mason, Gen. White. 
The constitution and by-laws of the Grand Lodge were amended in 
1822, and ao-ain in 1830. In 1845 a new constitution was adopted. 

October 6, 1858, the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple at Nashville 
was laid with the usual ceremonies. Since that time but little of general 
interest has transpired in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge. During 
the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, the order was active in relieving the 
suffering, and over |24,000 was contributed for that purpose. In 1885 
the Grand Lodge had jurisdiction over 409 subordinate lodges with a 
membership of 15,268. The following is a complete list of the Past 
Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge : 

Thomas Claiborne, 1813; Eobert Searcy, 1815; Wilkins Tannehill, 
1817; O. B. Hays, 1819; Wilkins Tannehill, 1820; Andrew Jackson, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 311 

1822; WilkinsTaiinehilL 1824; Matthew D. Cooper, 1825; William E. 
Kennedy, 1827; Hugh W. Duulap, 1829; Archibald Yell, 1831; Dudley 
S. Jennings, 1832; Harry L. Douglass, 1833; Benjamin S. Tappan, 
1831; J. C. N. Eobertson, 1836; Philander Priestly, 1837; Samuel Mc- 
Manus, 1838; George Wilson, 1810; Wilkins Tannehill, 1811; John 
Novell, 1813; Edmund Dillahunty, 1841; William L. Martin, 184G; 
Hardy M. Burton, 1848 ; Kobert L. Caruthers, 1849 ; Charles A. Fuller, 
1850; A. M. Hughes, 1852; John S. Dashiell, 1854; Thomas McCulloch, 
1856; John Frizzell, 1858; James McCallum, I860*; A. M. Hughes, 
1863; Thomas Hamilton, 1864; Joseph M. Anderson, 1866; Jonathan S. 
Dawson, 1868; John W. Paxton, 1869; John C. Brown, 1870; W. M. 
Dunaway, 1871; D. E. Grafton, 1872; James D. Richardson, 1873; 
Andrew J. Wheeler, 1874; J. C. Cawood, 1875; E. Edmundson, 1876; 

A. V. AVarr, 1877 ; George C. Connor, 1878 ; Wilbur F. Fowler, 1879 ; 
Q. T. Irion, 1880; N. S. Woodward, 1882; N. W. McConnell, 1883; 

B. E. Harris, 1884; H. M. Aiken, 1885; Thomas O. Morris, 1886. The 
following is a list of the present grand officers: 

Thomas O. Morris, Nashville,' M. W. Grand Master; Caswell A. Good- 
loe. Alamo, E. W. Deputy Grand Master ; H. H. Ingersoll, Knoxville, E. 
W. Senior Grand Warden; John T. Williamson, Columbia, E. W. Junior 
Grand Warden ; William H. Morrow, Nashville, E. W. Grand Treasurer ; 
John Frizzell, Nashville, E. W. Grand Secretarj^; Eev. C. H. Strickland, 
Nashville, E. W. Grand Chaplain; H. W. Naff, Bristol, Wor. Senior 
Grand Deacon; H. P. Doyle, Dyersburg, Wor. Junior Grand Deacon; 
P. H. Craig, Waynesboro, AVor. Grand Marshal; N. A. Senter, Hum- 
boldt, Wor. Grand Sword Bearer; A. C. Eobeson, Athens, Wor. Grand 
Steward; M. P. Prince, Minor Hill, Wor. Grand Pursuivant; Ewin 
Burney, Nashville, Wor. Grand Tyler. The Grand Council of Tennes- 
see Eoyal and Select Master Masons was organized October 13, 1847, 
with the following officers: 

Dyer Pearl, T. I. Grand Master; William E. Hodge, G. Prin. C. of 
Work ; Joseph F. Gibson, Grand Treasurer ; Charles A. Fuller, Grand 
Eecorder. Since that time the following have filled the chair of Grand 
Master: John S. Dashiell, 1849; Henry F. Beaumont, 1850; John P. 
Campbell, 1851-52; James Penn, 1853; Jonathan Huntington, 1854; 
L. Hawkins, 1855; Edward W. Kinney, 1856; Eobert Chester, 1857; 
H. M. Lusher, 1858; Jonathan Huntington, 1859; John H. Devereux, 
1860; John Frizzell, 1861; William Maxwell, 1865; John McClelland, 
1866; William H. McLeskey, 1867; David Cook, 1868; W. F. Foster, 
1869; A. V. Ware, 1870; James McCallum, 1871; A. P. Hall, 1872; E. 

*No meetings held in 18(U and 1862. 



312 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. » 

Edmundsou, 1873; W. R. Shaver, 1874; H. M. Aiken, 1875; B. R 
Haller, 1876; Bradford Nicliol, 1877; B. R. Harris, 1878; George H. 
Morgan, 1879; Ewin Burney, 1880-82; William Matthews, 1883; P. C. 
Wright, 1884 

The Grand Chapter was organized April 3, 1826, with the following 
officers: William G. Hunt, Grand High Priest; Wilkins Tannehill, 
Deputy Grand High Priest; Ed H. Steele, Grand King; Dyer Pearl, 
Grand Scribe; Moses Stevens, Grand Treasurer; and Charles Cooper, 
Grand Secretary. 

The following have been the Grand High Priests: William G. Hunt,* 
1826; William G. Hunt,* 1827; Moses Stevens,* 1828; Wilkins Tan- 
nehill,* 1829; William G.Dickinson,* 1830; Hezekiah Ward,* 1831 
Hezekiah Ward,* 1832; Jacob F. Foute,* 1833; Moses Stevens,* 1834 
T. S. Alderson,* 1835; Dyer Pearl,* 1836; Benjamin S. Tappan,* 1837 
Benjamin S. Tappan, 1838; Moses Stevens,* 1839; Edmund Dillahunty,* 
1840; Edmund Dillahunty,* 1841; Henry F. Beaumont,* 1842; James 
H. Thomas,* 1843; Dyer Pearl,* 1844; Dyer Pearl,* 1845; Dyer Pearl,* 
1846; P. G. Stiver Perkins,* 1847; P. G. Stiver Perkins,* 1848; Charles 
A. Fuller,* 1849; A. M. Hughes, 1850; A. M. Hughes, 1851; J. M. Gil- 
bert, 1852; Edward W. Kenney,* 1853; Edward Kenney,* 1854; Solomon 
W. Cochran, 1855; Solomon W. Cochran, 1856; Robert I. Chester, 1857; 
Robert S. Moore,* 1858; Roberts. Moore,* 1859; W. H. Whiton, 1860; 
Jonathan Huntington,* 1861 ; John Frizzell, 1865; Jonathan S. Dawson, 
1866; Townsend A. Thomas, 1867; William Maxwell, 1868; John W. 
Hughes, 1869; William H. Armstrong, 1870; A. J. Wheeler,* 1871; 
John W. Paxton,* 1872; Joseph M. Anderson, 1873; Wilbur F. Foster, 
1874; Algernon S. Currey, 1875; H. M. Aiken, 1876; John S. Pride, 
1877; Benjamin F. Haller, 1878; Joe H. Bullock, 1879; Gideon R. 
Gwynne, 1880; W. E. Eastman, 1882; James D. Richardson, 1883; 
David J. Pierce, 1884; William S. Matthews, 1885; Bradford Nichol, 
1886. 

The following is a list of the present grand officers : Bradford Nichol, 
Nashville, Grand High Priest; John E. Pyott, Spring City, Deputy 
Grand High Priest; Lewis R. Eastman, Nashville, Grand King; N. F. 
Harrison, Germantown, Grand Scribe; N. S. AVoodward, Knoxville, 
Grand Treasurer; John Frizzell, Nashville, Grand Secretary; Rev. H. 
A. Jones, Memphis, Grand Chaplain; Charles Buford, Pulaski, Grand 
Captain of the Host; J. W. N. Burkett, Jackson, Grand Principal 
Sojourner; John B, Garrett, Nashville, Grand Royal Arch Captain; 
James R. Crowe, Pulaski, Grand Master Third Yeil; J. T. Williamson, 

♦Deceased. 



HISTOHY OF TENNESSEE. 313' 

Columbia, Grand Master Second Veil; John H. Ferguson, Dayton, 
Grand Master First Veil; Ewin Burney, Nashville, Grand Sentinel. 

The Grand Council of the order of High Priesthood for Tennessee 
was organized October 9, 1860, by Thomas Ware, of Kentucky, Grand 
President j^^'o iom. The officers installed were Robert S. Moore, Grand 
President; John M. Morrill, Vice Grand President; Jonathan Hunting- 
ton, Grand Chaplain; John Frizzell, Grand Treasurer, and John McClel- 
land, Grand Becorder. 

The following is a lisi of the Grand Presidents from the organization : 
Robert S. Moore, 1860; John McClelland, 1861; John S. Dashiell, 1864; 
John Frizzell, 1866; John Bell, 1867; John W. Paxton, 1868; J. M. 
Gilbert, 1869; John McClelland, 1870; Wilbur F. Foster, 1871; Wilbur 
F. Foster, 1872; A. J. Wheeler, 1873; Morton B. Howell, 1874; John 
B. Morrisj 1875; George S. Blackie, 1876; E. Edmundson, 1877; Gideon 
R. Gwynne, 1878; Benjamin F. Haller, 1879; George S. Blackie, 1880; 
Henry M. Aiken, 1882; Bradford Nichol, 1883; Bradford Nichol, 1884; 
Bradford Nichol, 1885; D. J. Pierce, 1886. 

October 12, 1859, the four commanderies of Knights Templar and 
appendant orders in Tennessee, working under charters from the Grand 
Encampment of the United States, assembled in Nashville for the pur- 
pose'of organizing a Grand Commandery for Tennessee. Twenty-six Sir 
Knights were present. The officers chosen and installed were Charles 
A. Fuller, Grand Commander; A. M. Hughes, Deputy Grand Com- 
mander; Lucius J. Polk, Grand Generalissimo; M. Whitten, Grand 
Captain General ; W. H. Horn, Grand Treasurer ; W. H. Whiton, Grand 
Recorder, Jonathan Huntington, Grand Prelate; J. J. Worsham, Grand 
Senior Warden; A. S. Currey, Grand Junior Warden; Thomas McCuUoch, 
Grand Standard Bearer; J. H. Devereux, Grand Sword Bearer; Henry 
Sheffield, Grand Warden; M. E. De Grove, Grand Sentinel. Annual 
meetings have since been held with the exception of three years during 
the war. The number of subordinate commanderies in 1885 was 14, 
with a membership of 813. 

The following is a list of the Past Grand Commanders: Charles A. 
Fuller, Lucius J. Polk, J. J. Worsham, A. S. Underwood, John McClel- 
land, John Frizzell, Dr. J. M. Towler, A. D. Sears, George S. Blackie, 
J. B. Palmer, George Mellersh, M. B. Howell, H. M. Aiken, AV. R. But- 
ler, E. R. T. Worsham, W. F. Foster, George C. Connor, Joseph H. 
Fussell, B. F. Haller, W. D. Robison, W. P. Robertson, G. R. Gwynne, 
J. B. Nicklin. 

The Grand Commandery in 1886 assembled at Tullahoma and elected 
the following officers: Henry C. Howsley, Grand Commander; Charles 



314 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

Mosby, Deputy Grand Commander ; G. B, Wilson, Grand GeneralissiuK » : 
W. C. Smith, Grand Captain General; Eev. J. J. Manker, Grand Pre- 
late; Joseph H. Bullock, Grand Treasurer; W. F, Foster, Grand 
Recorder; N. S. Woodward, Grand Senior Warden; Dr. Robert Pillow, 
Grand Junior Warden; T. O. Morris, Grand Standard Bearer; H. C. 
Cullen, Grand Sword Bearer; D, J. Chandler, Grand Warden, and Ewin 
Burney, Grand Captain of the Guard. 

The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was in- 
stituted in Nashville on the evening of June 1, 1839, and was 'known 
as Tennessee Lodge No. 1. This lodge is still in existence. The 
next year, 1840, a second lodge was organized at Nashville. The Grand 
Lodge of Tennessee was instituted under authority of a charter issued 
by the Grand Lodge of the United States August 10, 1841, by C. C. 
Trabue, Special Deputy Grand Sire. The first grand officers elected and 
installed were Timothy Kezer, Grand Master; R. A. Barnes, Deputy 
Grand Master; W, H. Calhoun, Grand Warden; William P. Hume, 
Grand Secretary; George R. Forsyth, Grand Treasurer. At the next 
meeting, August 24, the constitution and by-laws of the Grand Lodge of 
Ohio was adopted. New charters were granted to the two lodges al- 
ready organized, and in October a charter was also granted to Columbia 
Lodge No. 3, the first instituted under authority of the Grand Lodge of 
Tennessee. On January 2, 1843, Grand Lodge Hall, over the postoffice. 
at the corner of Union and Cherry Streets, was dedicated with appropri- 
ate ceremonies. Soon after a committee was appointed to purchase the 
old Nashville theater, which was done at a cost of nearly $10,000. In 
order to raise the necessary money to pay for the building and fit it up, 
an association was formed and incorporated by an act of the Legislature, 
under the name of the Odd Fellows Hall Association, with an authorized 
capital stock of $20,000, divided into shares of $25 each. Stock was 
taken by individuals and also by subordinate lodges. In January, 1850, 
the committee appointed to fit up the hall reported the work finished, 
and the entire cost of the building to be about $30,000. This amount 
proved to be greater than the lodge could raise, and the following year 
the property was sold under a decree of the chancery court for $9,500. 
This sale was set aside by the supreme court, and in March, 1853, the 
hall was sold to E. H. Childress and P. AV. Maxey for $12,350. The 
lodge still owed $3,000, and they were obliged to sell other property to sat- 
isfy this debt. This, however, did not put an end to the financial difficul- 
ties, and in 1857 the indebtedness of the lodge amounted to over $7,000. 
During the war many subordinate lodges were suspended, the Grand 
Lodge was cut off from communication with the Grand Lodge of the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 315 

United States, and the order throughout the State was badly disorganized. 
But within a few years after the cessation of hostilities prosperity re- 
turned, old lodges were revived and a large number of new ones insti- 
tuted. In 1885 the number of subordinate lodges was 122, with a mem- 
bership of 3,302. During the year benefits to the amount of |12,599.78 
were paid, and the total revenue from all sources was ^26,31:5.11. Since 
1853 the Grand Lodge has owned no hall, but has held its meetings in 
the halls of subordinate lodges at various places, Nashville, Knoxville, 
Memphis and Chattanooga. The following is a list of the Grand Masters, 
with the year in which they were elected: Timothy Kezer, 1841; J. G. 
Harris, 1842; W. F. Tannehill, 1843; James E. Shelton, 1844; William 
H. Calhoun, 1845; W. S. McNairy, 184(3; G. P. Smith, 1847; W. K. 
Poston, 1848; W. S. Howard, 1849; W. M. Blackmore, 1850; Robert 
Stark, 1851; George W. Day, 1852; Constantine Perkins, 1853; E. A. 
Raworth, 1854; George Robertson, 1855; E. D. Farnsworth, 1856; A. 
A.Barnes, 1857; Robert Hatton, 1858; Benjamin Johnson, 1859; M. D. 
Cardwell, 1860; J. D. Danbury, 1861; H. C. Hensley, 1862; E. D. 
Farnsworth, 1863; William Wood, 1864; M. C. Cotton, 1865; O. F. 
Prescott, 1866; William H. McConnell, 1867; Hervey Brown, 1868; M. 
R. Elliott, 1869; J. R. Prescott, 1870; James Rodgers, 1871; J. L. 
Weakley, 1872; A. M. Burney, 1873; H. T. Johnson, 1874; H. P. 
Sehorn, 1875; George B. Boyles, 1876; S. D. J. Lewis, 1877; Charles 
M. Carroll, 1878; E. G. Budd, 1879; R. D. Frayser, 1880; E. B. Mann, 
1881; James H. Crichlow, 1882; C. F. Landis, 1883; James G. Ayde- 
lotte, 1884; Halbert B. Case, 1885. 

The Grand Encampment of Tennessee was organized at Nashville 
July 21, 1847, by T. P. ShafPner, of Louisville, Ky. The first ofiicers 
elected and installed were George W. Wilson, Grand Patriarch ; Donald 
Cameron, Grand High Priest ; N. E. Perkins, Grand Senior Warden ; C. 
K. Clark, Grand Junior Warden ; G. P. Smith, Grand Scribe ; John Col- 
tart, Grand Treasurer; C. G. Weller, Grand Inside Sentinel; Charles 
Smith, Grand Outside Sentinel. The constitution and by-laws of the 
Grand Encampment of Maine was adopted. At this time there were 
five subordinate encampments in the State, the first of which was 
Ridgely Encampment, No. 1, organized at Nashville. In 1849 the num- 
ber of encampments had increased to ten, with a membership of eighty- 
three; in 1873 the encampments numbered twenty -nine, and the mem- 
bers 867. The present membership is about 300, divided among fifteen 
encampments. 

The order of the Knights of Honor was introduced by the organiza- 
tion of Tennessee Lodge, No. 20, at Nashville, on May 6, 1874, witk 



316 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

a membersliip of fifteen. The Grand Lodge of Tennessee was organized 
in Nashville by Supreme Director Dr. A. E. Keys, of Mansfield, Ohio, 
July 3, 1875, at which time D. B. Gaily was elected Grand Dictator, 
and W. H. Trafford Grand Reporter. The constitution and by-laws of 
the Supreme Lodge was adopted for the government of the Grand 
Lodo-e until a permanent constitution could be prepared, which was done 
at an adjourned meeting held in October, 1875. Since the organization 
of the first lodge in the State, the growth of the order has been steady. 
By January 1, 1878, the membership had reached 3,814; in 1880 it was 
5,527, and in 1885, 6,858. The financial condition of the order has been 
equally prosperous. 

During the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 much was done by tlie 
order to alleviate suffering. Dr. D. F. Goodyear, Grand Treasurer, of 
Memphis, with other members of the relief committee, remained in that 
city and distributed contributions, which were received from all parts of 
the State and of the United States, to the amount of nearly $15,000. 
The number of deaths for that year was 167, of which 131 were caused 
by yellow fever. The amount of benefit for the year reached $334,000. 

The following is a list of the Grand Dictators : D. B. Gaily, of Nash- 
ville; L. A. Gratz, of Knoxville; John W. Childress, of Murfreesboro ; 
E. Smithson, of Pulaski; J. Bunting, of Bristol; J. P. Young, of Mem- 
phis; W. E. Baskette, of Murfreesboro; Creed E. Bates, of Cleveland; 
Warner Moore, of Memphis;?. E.. Albert, of Chattanooga, and others. 
The Grand Reporters have been W. H. Trafford, 1875-76; L. A. Gratz, 
1877 ; Ben K. PuUen, 1878-83, and W. M. Johnson, 1884. Meetings of 
the Grand Lodge are held at Nashville in April of each year. 

The Grand Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor of Tennessee, was 
organized in the hall of Harmony Lodge, at Nashville, April 7, 1879, 
under a dispensation from the Supreme Protector, by D. B. Gaily. The 
orcranization was effected by the election and installation of the follow- 
ing officers: Ben K. Pullen, Past Grand Protector; D. B. Gaily, Grand 
Protector; Mrs. Josephine Mackenzie, Grand Yice-Profcector; George F. 
Fuller, Grand Secretary; George F. Hager, Grand Treasurer; A. A. 
Allison, Grand Chaplain; Mrs. Ada McCullough, Grand Guide; Miss 
Jessie M. Dorris, Grand Guardian ; Mrs. D. J. Sanders, Grand Sentinel, 
and W. E. Ladd, W. H. Taylor and J. A. Kellogg, Trustees. The con- 
stitution of the Grand Lodge of Missouri was adopted, and Nashville 
was fixed as the permanent place of meeting. The first annual meeting 
was held April 12 and 13, at which time the Grand Protector reported that 
twelve new lodges had been established, making a total of thirty-eight 
lodges in the State, with a membership of about 1,200, At this session 



FIRST CHAPEL. 



RESIDENCE OF MAJOR FAIRBANKS. 



1 



^ 





THOMPSON HALL, UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 317 

Ben K. PuUen was elected Grand Protector, but refused to serve, and 
F. Smith son was chosen in his place. The latter failed to perform the 
duties devolving upon the office, and a called meeting was held Septem- 
ber 30, 1880, to elect a Grand Protector to fill out the unexpired term. 
A. A. Allison, of Fidelia Lodge, No. 155, of Gallatin, was chosen to the 
office. A second special session of the Grand Lodge was held in Knights 
of Pythias Hall in Nashville, December 12 and 18, 1881. 

After the reports of several committees, and that of the Grand Pro- 
tector had been received, an animated discussion arose as to the pow- 
ers of the Grand Lodge at this special session. The Grand Protect- 
or finally decided that any business offered could be transacted, and new 
officers were elected. D. B. Gaily was chosen Grand Protector, and 
Mrs. E. E. De Pass, Grand Vice-Protector. The Secretary reported a 
total membership of about 1,500, distributed among forty-two working 
lodges. The first biennial ^ession of the Grand Lodge was held April 
2, 1883. But little except routine business was transacted. The Secre- 
tary reported forty-one lodges in working order, with an aggregate mem- 
bership of 1,650. The Protector reported that up to that time there 
had been paid to the families of deceased members in Tennessee benefits 
to the amount of over $80,000. At this meeting B. J. F. Owen was 
elected Grand Protector, and Mrs. J. E. Jordan, Grand Yice-Protector. 
April 13, 1885, the Grand Lodge convened in second biennial session 
at Nashville, and was opened in due form. The Grand Protector re- 
jjorted forty-five lodges in the State, with about 1,800 beneficiary mem- 
bers. He also reported that the State had drawn benefits to the amount 
of $116,873.65, and paid in assessments $73,908.15. After business of a 
miscellaneous character was transacted the following officers were elected : 
George E. Hawkins, Grand Protector; Mrs. Dosie Brooks, Grand Vice- 
Protector; George Fuller, Grand Secretary; E. A. Campbell, Grand 
Treasurer; Mrs. Olive Peacock, Grand Chaplain; Mrs. Josephine Mac- 
kenzie, Grand Guide ; I. C. Garner, Grand Guardian, and J. T. Macken- 
zie, Grand Sentinel. W. L. Grigsby was elected representative to the 
Supreme Lodge, with W. R. Kendall as alternate. The lodge holds its 
next biennial session in April, 1887. 

On May 9, 1876, fourteen ladies and gentlemen met in the city of 
Knoxville and resolved, after a preliminary discussion, to apply for a 
charter under the laws of Tennessee, that they might organize an order 
to be known and styled the United Order of the Golden Cross, together 
with provisions for the pecuniary relief of sick or distressed members, 
and the establishment of a benefit fund from which should be paid to the 
friends of deceased members a sum not to exceed $2,000. The charter 

20 



318 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

was granted, and on July 4, 1876, the Supreme Commandery was organ- 
ized. The first Subordinate Commandery organized was Peace No. 1, at 
Knoxville, on July 11. The order increased quite rapidly, and on May 
10, 1877, a called meeting of the Supreme Commandery of the World was 
held at Knoxville for the purpose of organizing a Grand Commandery for 
the State of Tennessee. The members present were J. H. Morgan, Su- 
preme Commander; Addie Wood, Supreme Vice-Commander; Isaac 
Emory, Supreme Prelate; D. H. Weaver, Supreme Keeper of Records; 
William Wood, Supreme Treasurer; R. A. Brown, Supreme Herald; C. 
J. Gochwend, Supreme Warden of the Inner Gate; E. W. Adkins, Su- 
preme Warden of the Outside Gate ; Harvey Clark, Supreme Post Com- 
mander; W. R. Cooper, Mary Adkins, Maggie P. Morgan, M. E. Weav- 
ers and A. M. Emory. An election of grand officers was held, which re- 
sulted as follows: E. E. Young, P. G. C. ; A. J. Baird, G. C. ; A. M. 
Emory, G. V. C. ; S. H. Day, G. P. ; George W. Henderson, G. K. of R. ; 
E. W. Adkins, G. T.4 J. A. Ruble, G. H. ; Addie Wood, G. W. I. G. ; W. 
J. Fagan, G. W. O. G. J. C. Flanders was elected Representative to the 
Supreme Commandery for one year, and George B. Staddan for two years. 
The whole number of third degree members reported at this time was 
317. Both the first and second annual sessions of the Supreme Com- 
mandery were held in Knoxville, but ihe growth of the order was rapid in 
the other States, and the third session, was held at Washington, D. C. 
The Grand Commandery held its first annual meeting in Cleveland, Tenn., 
on April 16, 1878, at which time A. J. Baird was chosen Grand Com- 
mander, and Addie Wood, Grand Yice-Commander. Seven new lodges 
were organized during the preceding year, which increased the member- 
ship to 598. The second annual session and all succeeding ones have 
been held at Nashville. At the meeting in 1880 it was decided to hold 
biennial instead of annual sessions, and accordingly the next convention 
of the Grand Lodge occurred on April 18, 1882. Two sessions have 
since been held. The Grand Commanders elected since 1878 have been 
S. H. Day, 1879; J. H. W. Jones, 1880; R. G. Rothrock, 1882; C. S. 
McKenna, 1884 and R. A. Campbell, 1886. The other officers at pres- 
ent are E. J. Roach, G. V. C. ; W. W. Ownby, G. P. ; George B. Stad- 
dan, G. K. of R. ; E. W. Adkins, G. T. ; Belle McMurray, G. H. ; J. L. 
Webb, G. W. I. G. ; D. S. Wright, G. W. O. G. The membership in 
1880 was 766; in 1882, 1,036; and on January 1, 1884, 1,114 The 
influence of this order is always for good, and no person not pledged to 
total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors is admitted to membership. 
The order of the Knights of Pythias was introduced by the estab- 
lishment of Holston Lodge, No. 1, at Knoxville, Tenn., in March, 1872. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 319 

Soon after lodges were established at Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, 
and other points throughout the State. The Grand Lodge was organized 
at Nashville, April 2, 1872, by Supreme Chancellor, Samuel Read, of 
New Jersey. There were present representatives from six lodges : Hol- 
ston Lodge, No. 1, of Kuoxville; Damon Lodge, No. 2, of Chattanooga; 
Myrtle Lodge, No. 3, of Nashville ; Bayard Lodge, No. 4, of Murfreesboro ; 
Tennessee Lodge, No. 5, and Memphis Lodge, No. C, both of Memphis. 
The first Grand Chancellor was Calvin McCorkle, of Knoxville. The rep- 
resentatives to the Supreme Lodge elected at the same time are "W. Brice 
Thompson, of Nashville, and W. R. Butler, of Murfreesboro. Since the 
organization of the Grand Lodge the chancellors have been T. S. Jukes, 
of Memphis ; Alexander Allison, of Knoxville ; W. P. Robertson, of Jack- 
son ; J. J. Atkins, of Knoxville ; B. H. Owen, of Clarksville ; H. S. Reyn- 
olds, of Memphis: R. L. C. White, of Lebanon; E. S. Mallory, of Jack- 
son; R. J. Wheeler, of Nashville; W. C. Caldwell, of Trenton; W. R. 
Carlile, of Chattanooga; George S. Seay, of Gallatin; L. D. McCord, of 
Pulaski, and M. M. Niel, of Trenton, the present incumbent. 

H. S. Reynolds, was chairman of K. of P. Relief Committee at Mem- 
phis during the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, and remained in the city, 
discharging his duties, until he fell ill and died of the disease. In recog- 
nition of his noble work and sacrifice of his life the Supreme Lodge of 
the World, by special dispensation, placed his name on the roll of Past 
Grand Chancellors in the following words: "The name of Brother Reyn- 
olds is placed upon the list of Past Grand Chancellors, though he died 
during his term as Grand Chancellor; but he died nobly at his post of 
duty, and immortalized his name in the annals of Pythian Knighthood.'' 

There are at present twenty-six lodges in the State, with an aggre- 
gate membership of 2,012. Financially the order is in excellent con- 
dition, there being on hand in the treasuries of subordinate lodges on 
December 31, 1885, the amount of $5,513.04: cash, while the value of 
lodge furniture and real estate is estimated at $21,597. The Grand offi- 
cers, elected at Clarksville, in May 1886, are as follows: Sitting Past 
Grand Chancellor, George E. Seay, of Gallatin; Grand Chancellor, M. 
M. Neil, of Trenton; Grand Vice-Chancellor, Henry W. Morgan, of 
Nashville; Grand Prelate, G. B. Wilson, of Clarksville; Grand Keeper 
and Recorder of Seals, R. L. C. White, of Lebanon ; Grand Master of Ex- 
chequer, W. A. Wade, of Milan ; Grand Master of Arms, T. C. Latimore, 
of Chattanooga; Grand Inner Guard, E. L. Bullock, of Jackson; Grand 
Outer Guard, W. G. Sadler, of Nashville; and representatives to the 
Supreme Lodge, George E. Seay, of Gallatin, and R. L. C. White, of 
Lebanon. 



^20 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



The Grand Council of the American Legion of Honor was organized 
at Nashville, August 3, 1882, by Deputy Supreme Commander Michael 
Brooks. Past Commanders from ten councils throughout the State 
were present, and the following Grand officers were elected: George F. 
Hager, Past Grand Commander, Nashville ; S. H. Day, Grand Command- 
er, Cleveland ; George F. Fuller, Grand Vice-Commander, Nashville ; W. 
Z. Mitchell, Grand Orator, Memphis; Frank Winship, Grand Secretary, 
Pulaski ; Frank A. Moses, Grand Treasurer, Knoxville ; J. Eadomsky, 
Grand Guide, Nashville ; E. G. Buf ord, Grand Sentry, Pulaski ; W. Z. 
Mitchell, George F. Hager and Julius Ochs, Grand Trustees. George F. 
Hager was also chosen representative to the Supreme Council. 

The growth of this order in Tennessee as in other States, has been 
rapid, and owing to its careful and economical management it is in a 
splendid condition financially. There are now in the State sixteen sub- 
ordinate councils with a membership of about 900. The Grand Council 
now holds biennial sessions. The following are the present officers: 
George F. Hager, Grand Commander, Nashville; Joseph Wassaman, 
Grand Yice-Commander, Chattanooga; W. Z. Mitchell, Grand Orator, 
Memphis; Alexander Allison, Past Grand Commander, Knoxville; F. C. 
Kichmond, Grand Secretary, Knoxville; F. A. Moses, Grand Treasurer, 
Knoxville; John T, Rogers, Grand Guide, Cleveland; Samuel Strauss, 
Grand Chaplain, Chattanooga; Henry Benzing, Grand Warden, Nash- 
ville ; L. Williams, Grand Sentry, Cleveland. W. Z. Mitchell, Memphis ; 
John B. Everitt, Nashville; Henry Benzing, Nashville, Grand Trustees. 

The Ancient Order of United Workmen originated in Meadville, 
Penn., in October, 1868. The first lodge organized in Tennessee was Ten- 
nessee Lodge, No. 2, instituted at Nashville, November 26, 1876. When 
this lodge was organized it was supposed that Lodge No. 1 had been 
formed at Memphis, but this was found to be a mistake, and consequent- 
ly there has been no lodge of that number in the State. On February 
22, 1877, representatives from six subordinate lodges met in Nashville, 
and organized a Grand Lodge with the following officers: Dr. G. Schiff, 
Past Grand Master Workman ; John W. Childress, Grand Master W^ork- 
raan; John M. Brooks, Grand Foreman; D. W. Hughes, Grand Overseer; 
Thomas H. Everett, Grand Recorder; J. M. Barnes, Grand Receiver; P. 
R. Albert, Grand Guide; C. A. Thompson, Grand Watchman; Dr. G. 
Schiff, John Frizzell and John W. Childress, Supreme Representatives. 
According to the provisions of the constitution adopted, the meetings of 
the Grand Lodge are held at Nashville on the third Tuesday in January. 
Annual sessions were held until 1883, when biennial sessions were sub- 
stituted. In 1878 the number of subordinate lodges was thirteen, with a 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 321 

membership of 742. There are now in the State fifty-four lodges and 
1,900 members. The A. O. U. W. is said to be the oldest beneficiary- 
secret society in this country. It embraces in its membership men 61 
every vocation, profession and occupation, employes and employers, 
workers of all classes. It has no connection with any religious sect or 
political party, but is designed to promote mental and social improve- 
ment and mutual assistance. The amount paid in benefits in Tennessee 
since its introduction into the State is over $562,000. 

The order of Royal Arcanum originated in Massachusetts, where the 
Supreme Council was incorporated November 5, 1877. The first council 
established in Tennessee was Nashville Council, No. 98, organized May 
22, 1878, with twenty-eight charter members. During the next eight- 
een months councils were organized at Memphis, Knoxville, Chatta- 
nooga, Tracy City, Shelbyville, Edgefield, South Nashville, and a second 
lodge in Nashville. On February 20, 1878, official notice was received 
that a dispensation to form a Grand Council of the Eoyal Arcanum for 
the State would be granted upon the assembling of a sufficient number 
of Past Regents to constitute the same at Pythian Hall, Nashville, on 
March 9, following. In accordance with this notice a meeting was held 
at which were present twelve Past Regents, representing seven subordinate 
councils. The following officers were elected: A. B. Tavel, Grand Re- 
gent; W. Z. Mitchell, Grand Vice-Regent; A. M. Shook, Grand Orator; J. 
B. Everett, Past Grand Regent; I. K. Chase, Grand Secretary; T. H. 
Everett, Grand Treasurer; R. A. Campbell, Grand Chaplain; W. C. Dibr- 
rell. Grand Guide ; T. M. Schleier, Grand Warden ; W. P. Phillips, Grand 
Sentry. Supreme Regent J. M. Swain then proceeded at once to in- 
stall the Grand officers, after which he pronounced the Grand Council 
legally instituted. A constitution was adopted, and the first session was 
closed. Since that time meetings of the (jrrand Council have been held 
in Nashville in March of each year. Although the growth of the order 
in the State has not been rapid, it has been remarkably well managed, 
and is now one of the most prosperous of the beneficiary societies. The 
number of members in Tennessee January 1, 1880, was 54:9. January 
1, 1886, it was 1,106, distributed among twelve subordinate councils. 
Since that time Hermitage Council has been organized in North Nash- 
ville, with twenty-three charter members. Of the Widows' and Ophans' 
Benefit Fund there was received, in the six years from 1880 to 1885 in- 
clusive, $105,383.01, while for the same period there was disbursed 
$168,000. 

The following have been the Grand Regents elected since the first 
meeting: W. Z. Mitchell, 1881; Charles Mitchell, 1882; L. A. Gratz, 



322 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

1883; Joseph Towler, 1884; H. W. Morgan, 1885; David Douglas, 1886. 
The Grand Secretary, up to 1885, was Irvine K. Chase. Since that time 
the office has been filled by Thomas Taylor. 

On the 27th of February, 1882, George H. Thomas Post, No. 1, 
Grand Army of the Eepublic, was organized at Nashville. At the out- 
set the Post was very weak, numbering only sixteen charter members. 
May 1, 1883, the Provisional Department of Tennessee and Georgia was 
formed, with four posts and a membership of 136. The posts at that 
time, besides the one mentioned, were Lookout, No. 2, at Chattanooga; 
Memphis, No. 3, and Lincoln, No, 1, at Nashville. The Department of 
Tennessee and Georgia, comprising the States of Tennessee, Georgia 
and Alabama, was organized February 26, 1881, under special order No. 
4, from national headquarters. The following were the department 
officers elected : Department Commander, Edward S. Jones, Post 1 ; S. 
V. Department Commander, S. S. Garrett, Post 3; J. Y. Department 
Commander, Newton T. Beal, Post 17 ; Medical Director, Frank Weise, 
Post 1; Department Chaplain, W. J, Smith, Post 3; Assistant Adjutant- 
General, James Chamberlin, Post 1 ; Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 
Charles W. Norwood, Post 2 ; Assistant Quartermaster-General, Henry 
Trauernicht, Post 1; Department Inspector, Henry E. Hinkle, Post 6; 
Judge Advocate, L. A. Gratz, Post 14; Chief Mustering Officer, J, T. 
Wolverton, Post 7 ; Council of Administration, Edward M. Main, Post 1 ; 
T. B. Edgington, Post 3; Peter Martin, Post 4; A. B. Wilson, POst 8; 
Samuel Long, Post 17. The first annual encampment was held at Chat- 
tanooga February 26 and 27, 1885, at which time the Department Com- 
mander reported twenty-eight posts on the rolls, numbering 989 members 
in good standing. The department now numbers fifty posts, having an 
aggregate membership of nearly 2,000. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 323 



CHAPTEE XI. 

State Institutions— Early Management of the Finances— The Creation of 
THE State Debt— The Bonds Refunded— The Question of Repudiation 
—Measures to Liquidate the Indebtedness— The State Banks— The In- 
ternal Improvement Era— State Railroad Stock— Improvement of 
Navigable Water-courses— The Turnpike Companies —Illustrative 
Receipts and Disbursements— Internal Railway Projects— The Intro- 
duction OF Steam Water-craft— Catalog of State Officers— Elec- 
tion Returns— Formation of Counties— Population by Decades— Sta- 
tistics, Etc. 

HAD it been possible to maintain the primitive simplicity of the 
early government, little difficulty would have arisen concerning 
its financial management. The expenditures and receipts were very 
evenly balanced, the former consisting mainly in defraying the expenses 
of legislation. In the Territorial Assembly of 1794 Mr. Donelson, fi-om 
the committee appointed to estimate the expenses for that year, reported 
the probable expenditures at $2,890. The rates of taxation, as fixed at 
this session, were 124^ cents on each white poll; 50 cents on each black 
poll; $1 for each town lot, and 25 cents on each 100 acres of land. The 
Council had strongly urged that a tax of 12^ cents upon land was suffi- 
cient, but after considerable discussion, and several offers to compromise 
on their part, they were forced to yield to the House, which stood firm 
for the rate fixed. 

The following is a detailed account of the expenses of the Legislative 
Council and House of Representatives for the session beginning August 
25, 1794, and ending September 30, 1794. The per diem allowance for 
each member and each clerk was $2.50, and for each door keeper $1.75. 
All were allowed for ferriages, and $2.50 for each twenty-five miles of 
travel. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 

Griffith Rutherford, 37 days, 323 miles, 4 ferries $125 70 

John Sevier, 37 days, 200 miles, 2 ferries 112 16f 

Stockley Donelson, 37 days, 130 miles, 4 ferries 105 83J 

James "Winchester, 15 days, 312 miles, 4 ferries 69 70 

Parmenas Taylor, 37 days, 102 miles, 2 ferries 102 86| 

G. Roulstone, clerk, 37 days 92 50 

Stationery and engrossing 47 50 

William Maclin, clerk, 37 days, 380 miles, 4 ferries 131 50 

Stationery and engrossing 47 50 

Christopher Shoat, doorkeeper, 37 days 64 75 

Thomas Bounds, doorkeeper, 34 days, 12 miles 60 70 

John Stone, house rent 10 00 

$970 71t 



324 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES, 



David Wilson, 37 days, 310 miles, 4 ferries $124 00 

James White, 37 days, 370 miles, 4 ferries 130 00 

James Ford, 37 days, 420 miles, 4 ferries 135 00 

William Cocke, 17 days, 100 miles, 2 ferries 52 33 J- 

Joseph McMinu, 37 days, 170 miles, 2 ferries 109 83^ 

George Rutledge, 37 days, 240 miles, 2 ferries 116 83J^ 

Joseph Hardin, 37 days, 150 miles, 2 ferries 107 60| 

Leroy Taylor, 35 days, 200 miles, 2 ferries 107 66| 

John Tipton, 26 days, 218 miles, 2 ferries 86 91| 

George Doherty, 37 days, 60 miles, 2 ferries 98 66| 

Samuel Wear, 37 days, 60 miles, 2 ferries 98,66f 

Alexander Kelly, 30 days, 25 miles, 2 ferries 77 66| 

John Baird, 31 days, 30 miles : 80 50 

H. Lacy, clerk, 20 days, 100 miles, 2 ferries 60 33^ 

B. Harle, clerk, 37 days, 150 miles, 2 ferries 107 66^ 

W. L. Lovely, clerk, 14 days, 200 miles, 2 ferries 55 66^ 

Richard Mynat, doorkeeper, 37 days, 40 miles 68 75 

Stationery and engrossing 102 00 

James White, hoiise rent 5 00 

$1,700 16| 

The tax levy made at this session proved amply sufficient. The joint 
committee appointed to settle with the treasurer of Washington and 
Hamilton Districts for the following year reported the finances to be in 
a very flattering condition. 

"Your committee beg leave to observe that the moneys arising from 
the tax levied by the last General Assembly very much exceeded their 
most sanguine expectations, and that such will be the state of the treas- 
ury department, that the next tax to be levied may be very much les- 
sened, and then be fully commensurate and adequate to defray every ex- 
penditure and necessary contingency of our government." 

At that time the drawing of lotteries was not an uncommon mode of 
raising money for the erection of public buildings and the support of 
public enterprises of all kinds. There seems to have been no thought of 
any immoral tendency in the promotion of these lotteries, as schools and 
churches frequently instituted them. The following is taken from the 
journal of the Assembly of 1794: "A bill to authorize the drawing of a 
lottery in the District of Mero for raising a fund for erecting a district 
gaol and stocks in Nashville; endorsed, read the third time, and passed." 

One of the first acts passed after the organization of the State gov- 
ernment was that establishing a treasury for the districts of Washing- 
ton and Hamilton, and another for Mero District. The treasurer of 
Mero District was ordered to turn over to the other treasury each year 
all the money remaining on hand, within six days after the meeting of the 
General Assembly. This plan was followed until the seat of government 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 325 

■was changed. While located at Nashville or Murfreesboro the transfer 

of funds was reversed, and the treasurer of East Tennessee reported to 

the treasurer of the other division of the State. After the settlement of 

West Tennessee another treasury was established, and the balance of 

money remaining on hand in each of the other districts at the end of the 

year was delivered to the treasurer of Middle Tennessee. In 1836 the 

three treasuries were consolidated, and the first State treasurer elected 

At the same time the office of comptroller was created. 

The following is the report of the Committee on Finance at the first 

General Assembly in 1796: 

Receipts by the treasurer of Washington and Ham- 
ilton Districts $6,380 63 

Disbursements 5,838 03 

Balance in the treasury $ 543 60 

Receipts by the treasurer of Mero District $4,900 S7{'^ 

Disbursements 2,297 33J 

Balance in the treasury $3,603 08^^ 

Whole amount on hand $3,145 Q^f^ 

The first treasurer of Mero District was Howell Tatum ; of the dis- 
tricts of Hamilton and Washington, Landon Carter. The expenses of 
the first General Assembly were $2,351.70. For the two years 1805 and 
1806 the total amount of revenue collected was $36,181.72. The dis- 
bursements for the same period were $30,110,18, and the balance re- 
maining in the treasury was $8,253.19. For the years 1817 and 1818 
the receipts were $118,008.17^, the disbursements $62,689.31, and the 
balance remaining in the treasury $83,183.35^. These amounts do not 
include the money set apart for the use of school and academies. In the 
settlement for 1825-26 an item of $3,826.50 is charged for the expenses 
of Gen. Lafayette, a large amount for such a purpose at that time, show- 
ing that the State entertained the French hero of the Revolution in a 
fitting manner. The following is an itemized account of the expendi- 
tures for the years 1829 and 1830: 

Legislature $40,965 20 

Executive 5,687 50 

.Judges 46,004 60 

Attorney-general 1,909 00 

Militia 708 88 

Public printing 12,445 18 

Criminal prosecutions 23,041 86 

County Commissioners 1,913 27 

Sheriffs' releases 3,843 98 

Treasurers' commissson 5,374 74 

Enumeration 31 86 



326 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Solicitors : $3,518 05 

Revenue paid out 3,487 53 

Wolf scalps 2,676 00 

Miscellaneous 18,171 20 

$169,277 85 
The receipts for the same period were $175,986 52 

Up to this time tlie government had been economically administered, 
and was fi-ee from debt. But it seems impossible for any State to emerge 
fi-om the simplicity of the pioneer organization to the full development 
of a great commonwealth without incurring liabilities beyond its power to 
meet at the time they are incurred, and it requires the wisest and most 
careful management not to overstep the limits beyond which it is impos- 
sible to recover. Tennessee has been peculiarly unfortunate in this re- 
gard. Drawn into the extravagant schemes of the internal improvement 
era, she was almost overwhelmed by the losses and disasters of the civil 
war, and still further embarrassed by the rash and inconsiderate legisla- 
tion of the reconstruction period; and it is only during the present ad- 
ministration that the question, how to preserve the honor and credit of 
the State, and yet work no hardship to the taxpayer, seems to have been 
solved. 

The first indebtedness of the State was incurred in 1833, when ^500,- 
000 of bonds were issued for stock in the Union Bank. Under the acts 
providing for internal improvements and the State Bank the bonded in- 
debtedness rapidly increased. In his message to the Legislature in 
October, 1839, Gov. Polk presents the following statement of the 
financial condition of the State: "The whole public debt, exclusive of the 
internal improvement bonds authorized to be issued by the last General 
Assembly, and exclusive of the State's portion of the Federal revenue held 
on deposit, amounts only to the sum of $1,763,666.62^. To meet this the 
State owns $646,600 of stock in the Union Bank," $1,000,000 in the 
Bank of Tennessee, and $263,666. 66§ in internal improvement compa- 
nies, chartered previous to the last session of the General Assembly. 
The internal improvement bonds which have been issued under the act 
of the last General Assembly bearing an interest of 5 per cent amount 
to $899,580, making the whole public debt of the State of every de- 
scription, exclusive of the Federal surplus revenue which she holds on 
deposit, $2, 666, 166. 66 1." The amount of the surplus revenue received by 
the State was $1,353,209.55, none of which was ever returned to the 
General Government. 

The repeal of the internal improvement laws in 1840 stopped the 
issue of bonds to new companies, but as it did not interfere with work 
already begun bonds to a considerable amount Avere afterward issued 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 327 

under those laws, so that the liabilities of the State had increased by- 
October, 1843, to $3,269,416.66. During the nest eight years the growth 
of the debt was not so great. The only appropriations made except for 
the necessary expenses of the government, were for the erection of the 
capitol, two issues of bonds being made under acts of 1848 and 1850. 
The comptroller's report for 1851 shows the total indebtedness to be 
$3,651,856.66, an increase of less than $400,000 in eight years. 

The General Assembly of 1851-52 passed an act directing the Gov- 
ernor to purchase, for the State, 500 acres of land belonging to the estate 
of Andrew Jackson, including the mansion and tomb. This was accord- 
ingly done at a cost of $48,000, for which bonds were issued. During 
the same year $30,000 of bonds were also issued to the agricultural 
bureau. Additional capitol bonds were issued in 1852, 1854, 1856 and 
1860, making the entire amount for that purpose, $866,000. These 
bonds with the previous issues, which had not been taken up or canceled, 
amounted to $3,896,606.06, which constituted what was known as "the 
State debt proper," at the opening of the war. This debt bore an annual 
interest of $212,388.25. At the same time the bonds loaned and endorsed 
to the various railroad companies under the internal improvement sys- 
tem, established by the Legislature of 1851-52, amounted to $13,959,000, 
the interest upon which was paid by the companies. This was the finan- 
cial condition of the State in 1861. There were issued to railroads im- 
mediately after the war, bonds to the amount of $14,513,000, making the 
entire liabilities of the State, including unpaid interest, over $35,000,000. 
The settlement of th^ enormous debt from that time until the present 
has been paramount to all other questions of legislation. For the his- 
tory of this subject since the war, this volume is largely indebted to the 
very thorough resume by Gov. Bate in his message to the Legislature of 
1883. The first act to provide for the funding of the State's indebted- 
ness was passed November 23, 1865. It authorized and instructed the 
governor to issue 6 per cent coupon bonds to an amount sufficient to 
pay off all the bonds and interest past due as well as that to fall due 
during the two following years. Under this act there were funded 
$4,941,000 of bonds. A similar act passed in 1868 provided for the 
funding of bonds maturing during the years 1868, 1869 and 1870, and 
under it were issued $2,200,000 of bonds bearing 6 per cent interest. 
Under an act of 1852 and its amendments which provided for the substi- 
tution of coupon bonds for those without coupons, there were issued 
$697,000 of bonds known as "renewals." 

In 1873 the Legislature passed another act known as "the funding 
act" under which various classes and kinds of bonds were funded, and 



328 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

bonds issued for past due interest upon tliem amounting to $6,641,000. 
So objectionable was this to the people that at the ensuing Legislature 
all provisions for the payment of interest under this act were repealed. 

An act to fund the State debt in bonds at 100 cents on the dollar and 
3 per cent annual interest, was passed by the Forty-second General 
Assembly, and became a law on April 6, 1881. Before this was in full 
operation it was thrown into the courts by injunction, and finally declared 
by the supreme court unconstitutional and void; hence no bonds were 
issued under this act. The same General Assembly was convened in a 
third extraordinary session, and its labors during this extra session on 
May 19, 1882, resulted in the passage of what is known as the " 60-6 
act," authorizing the issue of bonds at the rate of 60 cents on the dollar 
for the old bonds and the past due interest upon them, payable in thirty 
years, bearing interest as follows: The first two years 3 per cent : 
the next tw^o years 4 per cent; then 5 per cent for two years and 6 per 
cent for the remainder of the time. It was also enacted that the funding- 
should cease after January 1, 1883, leaving all bonds not so funded un- 
provided for. The act went into effect immediately after its passage, and 
before it expired by limitation there had been funded under its pro- 
visions $13,706,812.77, nearly one-third of which was made up of 
coupons. None of these five funding acts were satisfactory to both the 
people and the creditors. During the entire discussion of this subject 
there has been much difference of opinion as to the State's moral and 
legal obligation to pay the debt in full. Many have held that the State 
should pay the debt in full without regard to the manner in which it was 
contracted. The sentiments of these persons are expressed by Gov. Por- 
ter in a message to the Legislature: 

"The settlement of this debt is paramount to all questions of legisla- 
tion that can engage the attention of the General Assembly ; it involves 
the honor and good name of the State, the credit and honor of every one 
of its citizens. It is a liability that was voluntarily contracted, and 
whether it was wisely created or not cannot now be a question. I hold 
and have always believed that in the light of moral and legal duty, as a 
question of commercial honor and State pride, the best settlement of the 
debt for Tennessee would he tcj pay the entire debt according to the 
terms of the contract." 

Gov. Hawkins expresses the same opinion. He says: "I am free to 
declare that to my mind there can be no well founded question as to the 
moral and legal obligation of the State for the ultimate payment of the 
bonds." A large part of those who entertained no doubts as to the va- 
lidity of the entire debt considered its payment in full an impossibility, 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 329 

and that taking into consideration the great loss m revenue to the State 
occasioned by the war, it would be no dishonor to make the best terms 
possible with the owners of tjie bonds. This class in general supported 
the " 60-6 act," and considered it an equitable settlement of the debt. 

Others held that the bonds issued to railroad companies, under the 
act of 1852, formed no part of the State's liabilities, and that the owners 
of the bonds should look to the companies for their payment. 

Another class, and the one which was in the majority, held that the 

liabilities of the State should be resolved into two parts. The " State 

debt proper," and the railroad debt for which the State had pledged its 

"faith and credit." They asserted that the "State debt proper" in 1882 

consisted of the following bonds: 

Capitol bonds iS!493,000 

Hermitage bonds 35,000 

Agricultural Bureau bonds 18,000 

Union Bank bonds 125,000 

Bank of Tennessee bonds ' 214,000 

Bonds issued to various turnpike companies 741,000 

Hiwassee Railroad bonds 280,000 

East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad bonds 144,000 

Memphis & La Grange Railroad bonds 68,000 

Total $2,118,000 

These bonds with the unpaid interest, exclusive of the interest which 
accrued from April 12, 1861, to May 26, 1865, it was held, should be 
funded dollar for dollar, and that the new bonds should bear the same 
rate of interest which the original bonds surrendered bore. 

It was contended that the State, as a matter of right and equity, was 
entitled to a large abatement of the remainder of the de])t. The grounds 
for this were that it was never intended that the State would be called 
upon to pay the bonds issued to railroad companies; that a large part of 
those bonds were issued "by authority of legislative acts passed and en- 
forced immediately after the war, and by Legislatures elected at a time 
when more than one-half, if not three-fourths of all the citizens of Ten- 
nessee who had been voters were disfranchised ;" and that the purchasers 
of the bonds so issued on account of this irregularity in State govern- 
ment at the time of their issuance and sale bought them at greatly re- 
duced prices. It was therefore considered equitable to creditors and the 
State alike to fund this part of the debt with the unpaid interest, ej:clu- 
sive of that which accrued during the war, 50 cents on the dollar and 
3 per cent interest. The only exception was that the bonds, no mat- 
ter of what issue, held by literary, educational, and charitable institu- 
tions; also those owned by Mrs. James K. Polk should be funded dollar 
for dollar at 6 per cent interest. 



330 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

This plan of settlement was embodied in the platform adopted by 
the Democratic State Convention in June, 1882. Upon that platform the 
canvass was made, and at the ensuing election a large majority of the 
votes were cast in its- favor. Thus sanctioned by the people the Governor 
reviewed the plan in his message to the Legislature, and a bill in accord- 
ance with its provisions was passed March 15, 1883. At that time, ac- 
cording to the closest calculation, the entire indebtedness of the State 
including principal and interest amounted to 128,786,066.39. Of this 
sum the State debt proper bonds and other bonds to be funded at 6 per 
cent made up $2,783,150, leaving $26,002,916.39 to be funded at 50 
cents on the dollar and 3 per cent interest. This makes the total 
bonded indebtedness of the State,* under operation of the act of 1883, 
about $15,784,608.19. The funding board consisting of the governor, 
comptroller and treasurer began its work in July, 1883, and on March 8, 
1886, bonds to the amount of about $19,000,000 had been funded. 

Since this plan of settlement is stamped with the approval of the 
majority of the citizens and taxpayers, and as the progress of funding 
evidences the acquiescence of the creditors of the State, it is probable 
that the question has been definitely settled. Should all the bonds be 
presented for funding, the State will ultimately have to pay $492,399 
interest anniially. The decisions of the courts making the State liable 
for the payment of the notes of the old Bank of Tennessee have added 
nearly $1,000,000 to the debt within the past two years. An act of the 
Legislature of 1883 provides for the issue of treasury certificates to take 
the place of bank notes. It also directs that $200,000 of these certificates 
should be taken up annually in the payment of taxes. No steps have 
yet been taken toward paying the bonded indebtedness, but it will un- 
doubtedly be a question for next Legislature. The bonds issued under 
the funding act of 1883 are made payable in thirty years and redeem- 
able at the pleasure of the State. With a continuation of the present 
prosperous and healthy growth, and with wise and economical manage- 
ment of the government, the State, at the expiration of the thirty years, 
will have no debt to refund. 

After the passage of the ordinance of secession, in May 6, 1861, the 
Governor was authorized to issue $5,000,000 of bonds bearing 8 per 
cent interest payable in ten years. Only two-fifths of these bonds were 
sold, the remaining three-fifths being held as contingent, subject to the 
orders of the Governor and the Military and Financial Boards. The 
following month the act was amended and the Governor authorized to 
issue treasury notes in denominations of from $5 to $100 bearing 6 
per cent interest in lieu of the $3,000,000 of bonds. 

*Gov. Bate. Message of January 12, 1885. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 331 

The first bank in whicli tlie State became a stockholder was incorpor- 
ated by an act of the General Assembly, November 20, 1811, under the- 
name of the "President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the 
State of Tennessee." The charter provided that the capital stock should 
not exceed $400,000, divided into shares of $50 each. Subscriptions- 
for stock were opened on January 1, 1812, in Knoxville, and in the fol- 
lowing counties: Sullivan, Carter, Washington, Greene, Cocke, Jefferson, 
Hawkins, Sevier, Blount, Grainger, Claiborne, Anderson, Campbell, 
Eoane, Rhea and Bledsoe, to each of which were assigned 440 shares. 
The State became a stockholder to the amount of $20,000, but reserved 
the right to withdraw at the end of ten years. The s^^bscriptions were 
payable in gold or silver, and divided into eight equal installments. As 
soon as $25,000 was paid in the stockholders met in Knoxville and elect- 
ed officers, except one director, who was named by the governor. 

The main liank was located at Knoxville, with branches in Clarksville, 
Columbia and Jonesboro. No notes of less denomination than $5 could 
be issued until 1815, when the limit was reduced to $1. The bank was 
chartered for a period of thirty years, but continued only until 1828. 
when it began to close up its aff'drs. which was accomplished about 
three years later. 

During the year 1820 the people of Tennessee, ijj common with those 
of the other Western States, experienced their first financial panic, and 
so disastrous were the consequences that Gov. McMinn convened the 
Legislature in extra session to provide some means of relief. Accord- 
ingly, on July 26 of that year, an act was passed "to establish a bank 
of the State of Tennessee, for the purpose of relieving the distresses of 
the community, and improving the revenues of the State." The capital 
stock was fixed at $1,000,000, in bills payable to order or bearer, to be 
issued on the credit and security of the borrower, and the whole to be 
warranted by the State on the proceeds of the sales of public lands. 
The treasurers of East and West Tennessee were ordered to deposit all 
the public moneys in the bank, and the governor was authorized to issue 
stock bearing 6 per cent interest, to an amount not exceeding $250,000. 
A branch bank was established at Knoxville, to which was allowed four- 
tenths of the capital stock. An agency was also established in each 
county in the State formed previous to the year 1819. The president 
and directors, ten in number, were elected on a joint ballot of the Leg- 
islature. The officers were instructed to put the bank into operation by 
the 15th of the next October, and to issue $500,000 in bills of denomi- 
nations of not less than $5 nor more than $100. Provision was after- 
ward made for the issue of $75,000 in fractional notes. Accordins" to 



332 ' HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

the charter either the Nashville Bank or the bank at Knoxville, or both, 
too-ether with their branches, could consolidate and incorporate them- 
selves with the State bank, but this they were unwilling to do. 

The bank began business at the appointed time, and at first seemed 
to meet the expectations of its founders, but its capital having been dis- 
tributed over the State, large amounts were lost by the defalcations of 
the county agents, and to add still further to its embarrassment, the 
cashier of the main bank, Joel Parrish, in 1832, was found to have per- 
mitted overdrafts to the amount of about ^80,000, the greater part of 
which was lost. On account of the number of branches, or agencies, 
this bank was sometimes referred to as the " Saddle Bags Bank." Gov. 
Carroll, in his message to the Legislature in 1833, discussed the subject 
at considerable length, and advised the closing of the bank, wisely add- 
ing that " the establishment of banks for the purpose of relieving the 
people from pecuniary distress, is, in most cases, ruinous to those who 
avail themselves of such relief." 

In conformity with the recommendation of the Governor, the Leg- 
islature, during the session, passed an act abolishing the bank, and pro- 
viding that its funds should be deposited in the Union Bank, then just 
incorporated. The capital stock of the latter bank was limited to $3,- 
000,000, of which the State subscribed $500,000, in her own bonds, due 
in fifteen, twenty, twenty-five and thirty years, bearing 5 per cent inter- 
est. In consideration of this support the bank agreed to pay annually 
to the State a bonus of one-half of 1 per cent on the capital stock 
paid in. The bank began business March 4, 1833, and from that time 
until the civil war was one of the leading monetary institutions of Ten- 
nessee. Its stock was mainly held by Eastern capitalists, over 16,000 
shares having been taken in Philadelphia. 

In 1846 the president of the Bank of Tennessee was authorized to dis- 
pose of the State's stock in the Union Bank, then amounting to $646,000, 
provided he could obtain for it an amount sufficient to pay off the bonds 
issued to the bank. This could not be accomplished, and the State still 
had $125,000 of those bonds when the bank went out of existence. The 
Planter's Bank, contemporary with the Union Bank, did an equally ex- 
tensive business, but received no aid from the State. 

In 1817 a petition for the location of a branch of the United States 
Bank at Nashville was signed by a number of the leading men of the 
State and forwarded to Washington, but before it was considered, the Gen- 
eral Assembly passed a law forbidding the opening of such a bank in 
Tennessee. Ten years later the law was repealed and the bank, with a 
nominal capital of $1,000,000, was established. It continued to do busi- 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 333 

ness until 1832 when President Jackson's veto of the bill rechartering the 
United States Bank necessitated the closing of its doors. Stock banks, 
like the Union and Planters, were established to take its place, and a dis- 
astrous system of over-banking and consequent over-trading Avas the 
result. 

The contraction in the currency and the great depression in business 
following the panic of 1837, induced the Legislature to establish the Bank 
of Tennessee. By an act passed January 19, 1838, this institution was 
chartered in the name and for the benefit of the State, and for the sup- 
port of which the faith and credit of the State were pledged. The capital 
stock was fixed at ^5,000,000, to be raised and constituted as follows: 
The whole of the common school fund, the proceeds of the sale of the 
Ocoee lands, the surplus revenue on deposit with the State, and an addi- 
tional sum in specie or funds convertible into specie raised on the credit 
of the State, sufiicient to make up the ^5,000,000. The Governor was 
authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $2,500,000, due in thirty 
years, bearing 6 per cent interest, payable semi-annually. The act al- 
so provided tliat the bonds should not be sold at less than their par 
value, and it was with the greatest difficulty that any of them were dis- 
posed of, the "faith and credit" of all the "Western States at that time, be- 
ing at a very low ebb. The American Life Insurance & Trust Com- 
pany of New York finally purchased two-fifths of the bonds, and the re- 
mainder were held by the bank for several months, when they were or- 
dered to be canceled. 

The location of the branch banks was left to the directors, who created 
considerable dissatisfaction in distributing them. The places chosen 
were Eogersville, Athens, Columbia, Shelbyville, Clarksville, Trenton, 
and Summerville. Another at Sparta was afterward created. The bank 
went into operation in the early part of 1838 with a capital of $1,000,000 
derived fi'om the sale of bonds and $90,893.71 of school fund. By April 
1, 1839, this had been increased to $2,073,356.15 by the addition of the 
surplus revenue, and the proceeds of the Ocoee lands. The redemption 
of notes in specie had been suspended by the other banks of the State in 
1837. January 1, 1839, a general resumption of specie payments took 
place, but the movement was found to be premature, and in the follow- 
ing October another suspension occurred. At that time the Legislature 
had just assembled, and Gov. Polk devotes nearly the whole of a long 
message to a discussion of the financial difficulties. He states that the 
banking capital of the State exceeds $10,000,000, and discourages any 
attempt to increase it. He refers to the recent suspension of specie pay- 
ments as a matter of great regret, and adds that "the only substantial 

21 



334 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and permanent relief is to be found in habits of economy and industry, 
and the productive labor of our people." 

In compliance with a resolution adopted by the next General Assem- 
bly, the banks on January 1, 1843, once more be^an the redemption of 
their notes in specie, and the succeeding ten years were the most pros- 
perous in their history. Especially was this the case Avith the Bank of 
Tennessee, which was carefully managed, and was looked upon with 
pride by the citizens of the State. The Legislature of 1851-52, how- 
ever, began the ruinous policy of granting charters to a large number of 
banks, the most of which were founded upon fictitious capital. Each is- 
sued its paper to any extent that it" could be disposed of, at no matter 
how great a discount. The volume of currency thus unduly expanded, 
the credit of the old banks was impaired and their profits reduced. This 
extravagant system of over-banking, which had invaded every State in the 
Union, culminated in the panic of 1857, in which tlie experiences of 
twenty years before were renewed. Gov. Johnson foresaw this result, 
and in his message to the Legislature in 1853 he advised the gradual 
closing up of the business of the State bank. This advice he renews in 
his messages of 1855 and 1857. In the last he gives a report from the 
directors of the bank in which they state that they have come to the con- 
clusion with great unanimity, "and from a settled conviction, that the best 
interests of the State require it, that the Bank of Tennessee should be 
put into liquidation and its concerns closed at as early a period as the 
convenience of the citizens will allow." These recommendations were 
disregarded by the Legislature. Had they been acted upon, and the bank 
closed up, a large reduction of the State debt would have been effected. 
In October, 1857, the Bank of Tennessee suspended specie payment 
and began to curtail its business. The other banks did likewise. This 
was continued until 1861, when the exigencies of war required an in- 
crease in the circulating medium, and a law was passed compelling them 
to reverse their policy. Accordingly large issues of new notes were 
made, the circulation of the State bank, on September 1, 1862, reaching 
$4,710,666. 

When the Federal occupation of the State became imminent the 
banks were given permission to carry their assets into other States. The 
Bank of Tennessee was transferred to Georgia, and its specie deposited 
at Atlanta, where it afterward fell into the hands of the United States 
authorities. After the removal of the bank from Nashville its assets, to 
the amount of over $8,000,000, were converted into Confederate bonds, 
coupons and treasury notes, which of course became valueless upon the 
restoration of peace. Gov. Brownlow, in his message of 1865, advised 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 335 

the closing up of all existing banks, declaring them insolvent, and se- 
verely criticising their management previous to the war. In February, 
1866, an act " to wind up and settle the business of the Bank of Ten- 
nessee " was passed. Six directors were appointed for this purpose, who 
were instructed to receive in payment for debts due the bank .United 
States currency, or notes of the bank issued prior to May 6, 1861. The 
notes issued after that date were known as "New Issue" or "Torbett Is- 
sue," from the name of the president, G. C. Torbett, elected May 9, 
1861. These were declared utterly void. 

In May, 1866, by appointment of the chancery court, S. Watson be- 
came the trustee of the bank, and then began a series of litigations ex- 
tending over a period of twenty years. The act closing the bank gave 
the school fund the preference in the distribution of assets over all other 
creditors. The depositors secured a decision of the supreme court 
against the validity of this act, and the holders of the " New Issue" de- 
manded the redemption of their notes, also obtained a favorable decision. 
The assets of the bank were not sufficient to redeem these notes, and the 
State is compelled to receive them for taxes. The amount of the "New 
Issue" has not yet been definitely determined, but it is not far from. 
$1,000,000, treasury certificates having already been issued for nearly 
that amount. According to the constitution adopted in 1870, the found- 
ing of a bank by the State is prohibited. Section 31, Article 2, reads 
as follows: "The credit of the State shall not be hereafter loaned or given 
to, or in aid of any person, association, company, corporation or munici- 
pality. Nor shall the State become the owner in whole, or in part, of 
any bank, or a stockholder with others in any association, company or 
municipality." 

In 1875 some effort was made to amend the constitution and estab- 
lish another State Bank. Comptroller Burch in his report in 1874 ad- 
vocated this measure. He proposed that the State issue $5,000,000 of 
bonds, which he thought could be sold at 90 per cent. This would yield 
$4,500,000 as the capital stock of the bank, and an issue of notes could 
then be made to the amount of $13,500,000, on the basis of $3 circula- 
tion to $1 of capital. This scheme received but little support, and it is 
not pi'obable that so long as the present system of national banks is 
maintained, the people of Tennessee will care to renew their experience 
with State banks. 

The early pioneers depended upon trails and streams for their routes 
of travels, but with the growth of the settlements better means of com- 
munication became a necessity. Streams that were navigable for canoes 
and small boats might be entirely unfit for commercial purposes until 



336 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the obstructions which had accumulated for centuries were removed. 
The narrow trails winding through the forest over hills and down deep 
ravines were impassable to the vehicles of civilization. 

So early as November, 1785, the General Assembly of North Carolina 
adopted measures for the better protection of the Cumberland settle- 
ments, which from their isolated position were peculiarly exposed to 
Indian depredations. It was enacted that 300 men should be embodied 
for the protection of those settlements, and that when assembled at 
the lower end of Clinch Mountain the troops should cut and clear a 
road from that point by the most eligible route to Nashville, making the 
same ten feet wide and fit for the passage of wagons and carts.* Dur- 
ing the year the road, as directed in the act, was opened. Hereafter, 
instead of by the long and circuitous route through the wilderness of 
Kentucky, the people from the Atlantic section reached the Cumberland 
through the new road which ran by the way of the Crab Orchard and the 
Flat Bock. Two years later the road was found insufficient for the pur- 
poses of the vast immigration which was pouring into the country. Ac- 
cordingly at the representation of the members from Davidson and 
Sumner Counties the General Assembly of North Carolina authorized the 
militia officers of these counties to appoint two or more persons to examine, 
survey and mark out the best and most convenient way from the lower 
end of Clinch Mountain to the settlement of Cumberland, and to order 
out the militia of these counties to cut and clear the ro^d so marked. 
The regiments were ordered to be divided into classes and parts of classes, 
beginning with the first, and so on in rotation, till the road should be 
cut. A tax was also assessed to defray the expense of opening the road. 
Under the provisions of this act the old road was widened and cleared, 
and a road leading into it was soon afterward cut fi-om Bledsoe's Lick. 
The following year provision was made for still further improving these 
roads, and also for exploring the route making a road through the 
wilderness lying between the Cumberland settlement and the Holston 
counties. From this time, as the exigencies of the country demanded, 
other roads and channels of communication were opened, and as the 
country still further filled up and developed the question of internal im- 
provement became one of the most important topics for the legislators. 
Under that head were included the construction of roads, the improve- 
ment of rivers and harbors, and later the building of railroads. For 
several years after the adoption of the United States Constitution there 
was much difference of opinion as to the right of the National Govern- 
ment to appropriate money for this purpose, the Federalists as a party 

* Kamsey. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 337 

favoring it, and the Eepublicans advocating the opposite policy. The 
opinion of the former finally prevailed, and a system of internal improve- 
ment was inaugurated. The General Government, however, undertook 
only works of national importance, while those of a more local nature 
were left to the individual States. 

The agitation of this subject after the organization of the State was 
begun as early as 1801, during the administration of Gov. Sevier, who, 
as well as all the governors succeeding him to 1837, made it a special 
point in their messages to the Legislature to urge the* adoption of meas- 
ures for the construction of highways and the improvements of the 
navigable streams. The delay in making appropriations for this purpose 
was occasioned by the opinion prevalent among the farming community 
that it would be to the exclusive interest of the commercial class.* 
Gov. Carroll, in his message to the Legislature of 1829-30, after review- 
ing the work done by the General Government and some of the other 
States, asks: "With these bright examples before us, does it become 
Tennessee to be idle?" The Legislature undoubtedly thought that this 
interrogatory deserved a negative answer, as they appropriated $150,000 
for removing the obstructions in streams, and for other improvements. 
Six commissioners were elected to constitute a board of internal improve- 
ments, with power to appoint a civil engineer to superintend the work; 
$30,000 was to be used in West Tennessee, and the remainder divided 
equally between the other two divisions of the State. 

The constitution of 1834 declared that a well regulated system of 
internal improvements is calculated to develop the resources of the 
State, and to promote the happiness and prosperity of the people, there- 
fore it ought to be encouraged by the General Assembly. In 1836, in 
compliance with the above section of the constitution, a general system 
of internal improvements was established. The act provided that 
when two-thirds of the capital stock of any company, organized for the 
purpose of constructing any railroad or macadamized turnpike within the 
limits of the State, had been subscribed, the Governor, in behalf of the 
State, should subscribe the remaining one-third, and issue bonds bear- 
ing 5^ per cent interest; therefore with the founding of the Bank 
of Tennessee a more extended system was adopted. Under this scheme 
the State became subscriber for one-half of the stock in all rail- 
road and turnpike companies, provided that the whole amount of stock 
taken by the State had not reached $1,000,000. The profits arising 
from the State stock, in the various companies, was set apart to constitute 
a fund for the redemption of the bonds issued. In addition to the above 

♦McMinn in his message to the Legislature in 1817. 



•338 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

$300,000 was appropriated for improving the navigation of rivers, to 
be divided equally among the three divisions of the State. Under these 
acts there were issued to the various turnpike companies bonds to the 
amount of nearly ^1, 500,000, and to railroads, about $800,000. 

By the latter part of 1839 a reaction had set in against the internal 
improvement schemes. It was found that the State was becoming 
heavily involved in debt, and that the results were not commensurate 
with the outlay. Many of the improvements were of permanent value 
and general importance, but the law was open to abuse, and charters were 
frequently granted for local and unimportant work. The profits arising 
from these companies were small, and the bonds issued to them still 
form a part of the State's indebtedness. Had the charters been granted 
with greater discrimination, and the work placed imder efficient superin- 
tendency, the results would have been more satisfactory. 

In January, 1840, all the laws authorizing the Governor to subscribe 
stock on behalf of the State in internal improvement companies were re- 
pealed. This, however, was not to interfere with any work heretofore 
commenced and carried on in good faith. The governor, comptroller 
and attorney-general were constituted a board to examine the reports 
of special commissioners, and to decide upon the policy of completing 
any work already begun. This board was afterward made to consist of 
the comptroller, secretary of state and the president of the Bank of Ten- 
nessee. 

No more aid was granted to corporations by the State until 1852, 
when the Legislature again passed an act creating a general system of 
internal improvements. It provided that when railroad companies had 
graded a certain amount of track, that bonds, to an amount not exceed- 
ing $8,000 per mile (afterward increased to $10,000), should be issued 
to equip the roads. For the security of this loan, the State held a lien 
upon the road and its iranchises. The companies were required by the 
act and its amendments to provide for the payment of the coupons on 
the bonds as they matured, and also a sinking fund to pay the bonds 
themselves. This, at the time the bonds were issued, it was thought the 
companies would be able to do ; and it is probable, had the war between 
the States not occurred, the public expectation would have been realized. * 
In any case, it appeared as if the State's investment was sufficiently se- 
cured, since the lien which was held upon the roads was in the nature 
of a first mortgage, and took precedence over all other claims. But the 
general depreciation in values, and the unproductive character of much 
of the property rendered the sale of the roads, at anything like their 
actual cost, impossible. From the statement of Gov. Bate, it appears that 

*Governor Bate. '~~' 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 339 

twelve railroads, to whicli $20,502,684 of bonds had been issued, were 
sold under judicial proceedings instituted by tlie State, with a loss to the 
State of $13,804,684 The following are the roads with the respective 
■amounts annexed to each, which made up the sum of this loss. 

Amt. issued Amt. for which 

to road. road sold. 

Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville $3,953,793 $1,700 000 

McMinuville & Manchester 1,091,578 'sOo'oOO 

Nashville & Northwestern 4,541,129 3 400000 

Edgefield & Kentucky 3',08l!429 "'gOO.'oOO 

Knoxville& Kentucky 3,816,176 350,000 

Cincinnati. Cumberland Gap & Charleston 1,657,308 300,000 

Winchester & Alabama l,79o[536 30o!oOO 

Rogersville & Jeflferson 533,013 23,000 

East Tennessee & Western North Carolina 448,000 20^000 

Tennessee & Pacific 1,220,530 SOO^OOO 

Knoxville & Charleston 816.500 150,000 

Southern Railroad Company 553,790 

Totals $20,503,684 $6,698,000 

Loss on sale $1,3,804.684 

Under the various internal improvement laws there was granted, or 
loaned to railroad companies, bonds to the amount of over $29,000,000, 
for the whole of whicli the State became responsible. If the amount 
which the State received from these roads is alone considered, the in- 
vestment must be regarded as a gigantic failure, but the benefits result- 
ing indirectly from these roads should not be overlooked. Gov. Hawkins, 
in discussing this subject, used the following language: "Subsequent re- 
sults demonstrate the wisdom and foreisght of the projectors of this 
grand system of internal improvement in our State. Under the encourage- 
ment which was thus given, various railroads were projected and con- 
structed within the borders of our State. As rapidly as the several com- 
panies could meet tlie conditions of the law, the bonds were issued, 
placed upon the market and sold. Our State immediately, as if awak- 
ened to a new life, took rapid strides in prosperity. The aggregate value 
of taxable property in the State, as shown by the comptroller's report for 
1855, was $219,012,051.81. In 1861 it had increased to $368,202,050, 
a gain of $149,189,998 in six years." 

No bonds were granted to railroad companies after 1867, and the 
constitution of 1870 forbids the loaning or giving of the credit of the 
State to any corporation or company, although it reaffirms the section of 
the old constitution which declared that a well regulated system of inter- 
nal improvement is calculated to develop the resources of the State and 
to promote the happiness and prosperity of the people, therefore it ouo-ht 
to be encouraged. The constitution of 1870 also prohibits the State 



340 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



from becoming a stockholder in any company. This, however, does not 
interfere with the rights of counties or incorporated towns to vote aid to 
railroads or other enterprises of a like character. Previous to May 26, 
1886, the principal railroads of the State, with the exception of the Illi- 
nois Central system and the Mobile & Ohio, were five feet gauge. The 
question of reducing them to a conformity with the standard gauge had 
been agitated for several years, but nothing in this direction was done 
until the spring of 1886, Avhen a convention of railroad officials was held in 
Atlanta, G"a., and the matter taken up in earnest. It was decided by the 
convention to adopt the gauge of the Pennsylvania Road, which is four 
feet and nine inches, and during the last week in May the change was 
made. The Mobile & Ohio Road changed its gauge in the fall of 1885. 
The following table shows the receipts and disbursements of the State 
government from 1837: 



Year. 


Receipts. 


Disbursements. 


Balances. 


October 1 1887 


$ 281,596 63 

533,930 73 

543,739 79 

473,033 01 

576,943 71 

710,907 61 

790,695 53 

1,004,004 94 

1.202,047 04 

1,035.715 22 

1,451,175 87 

1,848,094 88 

129,991 38 

1,098,970 55 

3,508,586 91 

5,.S86.537 56 


1 156,159 82 

429,758 61 

470,748 75 

623,737 27 

506,688 40 

643,314 33 

803,436 66 

933,431 35 

1,218.387 04 

1,154,807 79 

1,502,519 04 

1,704,287 61 

130,670 15 

1,128,986 86 

2,948,652 68 

5,858,004 06 

3,142.282 01 

2,432,858 00 

3,290,158 41 

4,715,795 12 

1,661,869 79 

1,400,316 47 

1,584,633 33 

1,765,072 38 


$ 75,437 31 


October 1 1839 


116,599 43 


October 1 1841 


189,590 47 


October 1 1843 


38,875 21 


October 1 1845 


109,829 52 


October 1 1847 


177,381 73 


October 1 1849 


153,198 11 


October 1 1851 


332,771 80 


October 1 1858 


206,431 80 


October 1, 1855 


87,839 23 


October 1 1857 


36,496 06 


October 1 1859 


180,303 33 


October 1, 1865* 

October 1, 1866 




October 1, 1867 


589,950 54 


October 1 1869 


28,649 43 


October 1 1871 


3,590,926 95 
2,420,091 17 
3,618,703 53 
4,536,422 76 
2,000,883 64 
1,144,349 82 
1,870,224 02 
2,194,886 98 


159 44 


October 1, 1871, to December 3, 1873 

January 1 1873 to December 20, 1874 


159 44 
328,704 55 


December 20 1876 


139,332 19 


December 20 1878 


478,346 04 


December 20 1880 . 


222,424 39 


December 20 1882 


508,015 08 


December 20, 1884 


645,214 83 



♦From May to October 1. 

The history of railroad enterprises in Tennessee is one of singular 
and absorbing interest. The movement toward awakening public in- 
terest in railroad construction, occurred as early as the year 1835, when 
in the language of Gov. Cannon, " the spirit of internal improvement 
was abroad in the land." During that year Col. Robert T. Hayne, of 
South Carolina, whose debate with Daniel Webster on the Foster reso- 
lutions gave him a world wide reputation, visited Nashville, and in an 
able address advocated the construction of a railway from Memphis to 
Knoxville, thence to Charleston, S. C, so as to connect the sea-board- with 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 341 

the Mississippi Eiver, the great inland route of navigation. No attempt 
however, was made to put the plan into operation. 

A second effort was made the next year by William Armour, repre- 
sentative to the Legislature from Shelby County, to unite the Mississippi 
with the sea-board by constructing a line "from the most eligible point on 
said river, as near the center of the State as practicable, to the Tennessee 
Kiver ; thence near the center of the State to a point on the Virginia line." 
October 10, 183(3, a convention was held in the Federal court room at the 
capitol for the purpose of discussing the subject of internal improvement. 
Sixteen counties was represented, and Col. Eobert Allen was chosen chair- 
man. The session lasted four days, during which time a resolution advocat- 
ing the construction of the above road was adopted. The subject was pre- 
sented to the Legislature, which was in session at that time, and ^15,000 
was appropriated for surveying a route for the " Central Eailway." 
Albert M. Lea was appointed chief engineer, with instructions to survey 
the line through the State, and to estimate the cost of both a single and 
double-tracked railway ; also, the comparative cost of a turnpike over the 
same route through Middle and East Tennessee. His estimate placed 
the cost of a single-tracked road from Perryville, on the Tennessee Kiver, 
to the Virginia line, at $0,421,718.60, and for the the entire distance, 
500 miles, at $7,841,718.60. A double-tracked road over the same route, 
he thought would cost $11,154,968.60. He also estimated the receipts 
and expenditures of such a road. Through Middle and East Tennessee 
he placed the number of passengers to be carried at an average of 100 jjer 
day each way, which at 5 cents per mile would produce a yearly income 
of $1,370,575. The same number of tons of freight, at 6 cents per mile, 
would produce $1,644,690, a total of $3,015,265. The cost of carrying 
the passengers at ^ cent per mile, and freight at 1 cent per mile, would 
amount to $696,565, which added to the cost of repairs, $659,298.11 
makes a total annual expenditure of $1,355,863,11, leaving a net revenue 
of $1,659,401.49. The estimates for West Tennessee are made on" the 
same scale, except that the rate for carrying freight is fixed at 3 cents per 
mile, and the amount of business is placed at only one-half that of the 
other division of the State. The net earnings of this part of the road 
would thus amount to $214,615.96. 

These estimates both as to the construction and operation of such a 
road, would scarcely coincide with those of an experienced railroad oper- 
ator of to-day, and they serve to illustrate how little was then known 
about such enterprises. Railroads were projected on a grand scale, but 
seemingly with little regard to the demands of the trade and commerce of 
sections through which they were to pass, or the comparative cost of 



342 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

construction over a less direct route. The engineer of tlie above road 
strongly advocated its construction, but the great financial crash of that 
year rendered a successful movement in that direction impossible. 

During the same year that the Central Eoad was projected a charter 
was procured for the Hiwassee Railroad, through the influence of Gen. 
James H. Eeagan, representative to the Legislature fi-om McMinn 
County. The charter required that stock amounting to $600,000 should 
be subscribed within two years. On July 4, 1836, a railroad convention 
composed of delegates from all the Northern States, Maryland and the 
Southern States met in Knoxville ; Eobert T. Hayne, of South Carolina, 
was made president. The convention adopted measures for the construc- 
tion of a road from Cincinnati or Louisville, through Cumberland Gap, 
up the French Broad Eiver and on to Charleston. This route was not 
satisfactory to the delegates from Georgia and lower East Tennesse. The 
delegates from McMinn County, one of whom was T. N. Vandyke, brought 
to the notice of the Georgia delegation the Hiwassee charter. 

Upon a conference it was decided that by adopting this route, a road 
fi'om Knoxville, through Georgia to Charleston, could be put into opera- 
tion before the work would commence on the Cumberland Gap route, 
and it was agreed that the McMinn County delegation should go home, 
open books and secure subscriptions, while the members from Georgia 
should procure a charter from their State, and meet at the State line. 

The delegates from McMinn, upon their return home, set immediately 
to work, but it was a new enterprise and one not well understood by the 
people. The taking of stock advanced so slowly that, in order to j)revent 
the forfeiture of the charter, six residents of McMinn County, Gen. 
Nathaniel Smith, Onslow G. Murrell, Ashbury M. Coffey, James H. 
Tyffe, Alexander D. Keys and T. N. Vandyke, agreed to subscribe each 
$100,000. Upon examination of the subscription books, it was found 
that $120,000 of stock had been taken, so that the subscription of the 
six men named had to be reduced to $80,000 each. These men refused 
to permit an organization of the company until they could distribute 
their stock in such a manner that the stockholders could meet the calls 
without embarrassment. This was accomplished within a year, and an 
organization was effected with Solomon P. Jacobs as president and Ash- 
bury M. Coffey secretary and treasurer. J. C. Trautwine, of Philadel- 
phia, was engaged as chief engineer. The road was surveyed and ground 
was broken two miles west of Athens, in 1837, being the first work ever 
done on a railroad in the State. With the exception of a few intervening 
gaps, the road was graded from the State line to Loudon, and a bridge 
built over the Hiwassee Eiver. Meantime it was ascertained that 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 343 

3(500,000 was iij sufficient to build the road, and upon application to tlie 
Legislature, the State agreed to subscribe stock to the amount of 
$G50,000 in 5 per cent State bonds to be paid upon call jjar/ ixissu, 
with the payments of the individual stockholders. The financial embar- 
rassments of 1837 compelled a suspension, and the company was forced 
• to execute a deed of trust, authorizing the sale of the road. The State 
riled a bill enjoining the trustees from acting under the deed, and sought 
to amend the charter. The suit was carried to the supreme court and 
finally decided against the State. The debts amounted to about 
$130,000, and the sum due from the State upward of $80,000, but by 
skillful management the debts were all compromised and liquidated by 
the creditors taking one-half of the debt in 5 per cent State bonds, and 
the remainder in the stock of the company at par. After various unsuc- 
cessful attempts to procure money to complete the road, the company 
finally made a contract with Gen. Duff Green, who agreed upon certain 
conditions to build the road from Dalton, Ga., to Knoxville. Gen, 
Green after doing a considerable amount of work failed and surrendered 
his contract. The company then entered into a contract with William, 
Grant & Co., who finished the road from Dalton to the Hiwassee Biver. 
J. G. Dent & Co. built the road from there to Loudon in 1852, and in 
1850 the portion from Loudon to Knoxville was completed. Throuo-h 
repeated failures, delays and litigations the name "Hiwassee" became 
so obnoxious that in 1848 it was changed to East Tennessee & Georgia. 

In 1852 the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad was chartered. 
The portion of this road in Tennessee extended from Knoxville to Bris- 
tol on the Virginia line, and formed a connecting link between the two 
great systems of roads those in the Northeast, and those of Alabama, 
Georgia and South Carolina. It was completed in 1858, and later was 
consolidated with the East Tennessee & Georgia, under the name of the 
East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia. 

The first railroad chartered by the Legislature was the La Grange & 
Memphis. The company was incorporated in December, 1835, and was 
soon after organized. Subscriptions to the amount of $250,000 were 
made by individuals, and, in accordance with the act of 1835, the gov- 
ernor subscribed $125,000 on behalf of the State. The road was located 
in September following, and during 1837 the grading of the track was 
begun. Owing to financial embarrassments and inexperience on the 
part of the management, the work progressed slowly, and after dragging 
along for several years, was finally abandoned, February 2, 1846, a 
charter was granted to the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, authorizing 
tt capital stock of $800,000, and under the persevering efforts of Ex- Gov. 



344 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

James C. Jones, the first president, Col. Sam Tate, Joseph Lenow, Minor 
Meriwether and others, was brought to a successful completion in 1857. 
In constructing the road the old road bed of the La Grange & Memphis 
was purchased and utilized. 

The Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad was constructed simultaneous- 
ly with the building of the Memphis & Charleston. This enterprise 
originated with Dr. James Overton, a man of remarkable sagacity and 
undaunted resolution. During a contest for legislative honors in 1843, 
he advocated the building of a road from Nashville to Chattanooga to 
connect with the Western Atlantic, a road chartered about ten years pre- 
vious to that time. He failed to enlist any considerable support in what 
was then looked upon as a visonary scheme, and on account of his en- 
thusiastic advocacy of the project, he was dubbed " old Chattanooga.'* 
Although the efforts of Overton were barren of any immediate results, yet 
they served to direct public attention to the advantages of railroads. 
About 1845 the depression which had prevailed so long in business cir- 
cles began to be relieved. The growing trade of Nashville demanded 
other outlets than that afforded by the Cumberland River.- Otiier por- 
tions of the State began to awaken to the necessity of providing better 
means of transportation, and in this they were stimulated somewhat by 
the action of Georgia in chartering a road to run from Augusta to Chat- 
tanooga. The subject was brought before the Legislature, and under the 
pressure of influential citizens of Nashville, an act was passed December 
11, 1845, to incorporate "a railroad from Nashville on the Cumberland 
River, to Chattanooga on the Tennessee River." The internal improve- 
ment laws having been repealed, no State aid was granted to this road at 
that time, but an act passed by the next Legislature authorized the may- 
or and aldermen of Nashville to subscribe $500,000 to the enterprise. 
This measure met with considerable opposition, and a bill was filed in 
chancery to enjoin the subscription to the road or the issuing of bonds 
by the corporation. On appeal it was taken to the supreme court, and 
finally decided at the December term, 1848. The opinion delivered by 
Judge Torley decided that the Legislature of Tennessee had the consti- 
tutional power to authorize the corporation of Nashville to take stock in 
the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and that the making of this road 
was a legitimate corporate purpose of the corporation, acting under the au- 
thority of the act; thus sustained by the court's decision, the city voted 
the $500,000 to be expended in the construction of the road. During the 
two years previous the subject had been thoroughly canvassed through- 
out the city and a strong public sentiment had been enacted in favor of 
the enterpriser. Most prominent among those to whom this result was 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 345 

due was Vernon K. Stevenson, and upon the organization of the compa- 
ny in 1848 he was elected its -president, which position he held until the 
breakinof out of the civil war. In addition to the amount obtained from 
the corporation of Nashville, he secured a subscription of an equal 
amount from Charleston, S. C, $250,000 from the Georgia Railroad & 
Banking Company, and $30,000 from the corporation of Murfreesboro. 
which enabled him with the private subscriptions that were afterward re- 
ceived, and the aid which the State rendered by endorsing the company's 
bonds, to enter upon the work of construction. The first passenger 
train on the road was run out as far as Antioch, April 13, 1851, and the 
first through train ran into Chattanooga January 18, 1853. In 1869 
the company leased the Nashville & North- Western Railroad for a term 
of six years, but before the lease expired, a two-thirds interest in the road 
was purchased from the commissioners appointed by the Legislature 
and the chancery court to sell delinquent railroads in the State, individ- 
uals in Tennessee and New York taking the other one-third. Subse- 
quently the directors of the Nashville & Chattanooga bought the one- 
third interest held by individuals, and that company now owns the en- 
tire road from Chattanooga to Hickman, Ky., together with its branches. 
The name of the consolidated road is the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. 
Louis. 

The Nashville & North-Western was chartered as early as 1852, but 
subscriptions to it were secured with difficulty, and the work of construc- 
tion was not begun for several years. When the war opened only a lit- 
tle over thirty miles had been graded, and only that jDortion between 
Nashville and Kingston Springs was in operation. During the war the 
United States Government, for military purposes, built the road to the 
Tennessee River at Johnsonville. At the close of hostilities application 
was made to the Legislature for the amount due the road under the then 
existing laws. This was granted, and the road was completed during the 
latter part of 1868. 

The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad has several branches. 
The Winchester & Alabama, and the McMinnville & Manchester were 
both chartered in 1850, but neither was completed for several years. 
In 1872, upon their failure to pay the interest on the bonds issued by 
the State in aid of their construction, they were sold to the Memphis & 
Charleston Railroad. The Tennessee & Pacific, another branch, was 
projected to run from Nashville to Knoxville, but financial embarrassments 
checked its progress, and it was completed only to Lebanon, a distance 
of thirty-one miles. It was incorporated in 1866, and work of construc- 
tion was becfun in 1869. 



346 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

One of tlie largest corporations in the South at the present time is the 
Louisville, Nashville & Great Southern Railroad. The lines forming 
this system were built under separate charters, and afterward consoli- 
dated. The road connecting Louisville and Nashville, which forms the 
main stem, was chartered in 1851, and was opened for business in 1859, 
the j&rst train through from Louisville having passed over the bridge 
into Nashville on September 28 of that year. The Memphis branch, 
extending from Bowling Green, Ky., to Memphis, embraces the Memphis 
& Ohio, and the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroads. The 
former was chartered February 4, 1852, under the name of the Nashville 
& Memphis Railroad. Two years later, by Legislative authority, the 
name was changed to the Memphis & Ohio, and in May, 1860, the road 
was completed from Memphis to Paris. In 1871, in order to prevent 
the sale of the road by the State the Louisville & Nashville Company 
loaned to the Memphis & Ohio State bonds sufficient to pay off its 
debt to the State, and the two roads were then consolidated. The Mem- 
phis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad received its charter January 28, 
1852, and the road was opened in September, 1801. July 1, 1865, the 
company having defaulted on the interest on the State bonds loaned to 
them, a receiver was appointed, and the road continued to be operated by 
receivers from that time until 1871, when it was purchased by the Louis- 
ville & Nashville Company for the sum of $1,700,000. 

The Edgefield & Kentucky Railroad, extending from Nashville to 
Guthrie, Ky., was chartered February 13, 1852, and finished in 1860. 
This road formed a part of the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Road 
which was not entirely completed until 1872. The line was then consol- 
idated with the Nashville, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad into what was 
known as the St. Louis & Southeastern. Li 1879 the Louisville & Nash- 
ville Company purchased the whole line, and it is now operated as the St. 
Louis division of that company's system. Another important division is 
the Nashville & Decatur. This was formed in 1866 by the consolidation 
of the Tennessee & Alabama, the Tennessee & Alabama Central, and the 
Central Southern Roads. The Tennessee & Alabama was chartered in 1852 
to run from Nashville by the way of Franklin to the Alabama State line, 
in the direction of Florence, but in 1858 the company asked authority to 
terminate the road at Mt. Pleasant, which request was granted. In 1853 
the Central Southern Railroad Company was incorporated for the pur- 
pose of constructing a line from Columbia, Tenn., to the Alabama State 
line in the direction of Decatur. This line was completed November 20, 
1860. May 4, 1871, the consolidated roads were leased by the Louis- 
ville & Nashville Railroad Company for a period of thirty years. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 347 

Tlie Mobile &, Ohio Eailroad extends from Mobile, Ala., to the Ohio 
River at Cairo, entering Tennessee from the south near Corinth, Miss. 
It was originally" projected to strike some point on the Tennessee River, 
and run thence to the mouth of the Ohio. The company was organized 
in Alabama, and in 1848 received a charter from Tennessee. At the time 
of its inception this was the greatest railroad enterprise that had been 
inaugurated on either continent; and it was not until 1859, after many- 
years of the most persistent effort, that the road was completed. During 
the war the road suffered greatly, and at the close of the conflict it was a 
splendid wreck. Sixty-five per cent of its original cost was lost ; but by 
skillful and economical 'management, the road in a few years was put into 
a prosperous condition. The indebtedness to the State was paid off, and 
in 1870 the coiiJ^any resumed the payment of interest on all classes of its 
bonds. 

On January 29, 1858, the Tennessee Legislature authorized the Miss- 
issippi River Railroad to be constructed from Memphis to the Kentucky 
State line in the direction of Cairo. The work of grading was not com- 
menced until 1869, and was then soon after suspended. In 1871 it was 
consolidated with the Paducah & Gulf Railroad, a Kentucky corporation, 
under the name of the Memphis & Paducah. The whole line was after- 
ward sold under mortgage, and reorganized as the Memphis, Paducah 
& Northern. It is now known as the Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern, 
extending from Cecilia, Ky., by way of Paducah to Memphis, a distance 
of about 345 miles. 

Another important road in West Tennessee forms a part of a great 
system extending from Chicago to New Orleans and known as the Chi- 
cago, St. Louis & New Orleans Railroad, the entire length of which is 
about 1,700 miles. The part in Tennessee was chartered as two separate 
companies, the Mississippi Central, and the New Orleans, Jackson & 
Northern. These roads were consolidated in November, 1877. Running 
arrangements were then made with the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany by which the entire system is practically placed under one manage- 
ment, though operated by two charters. 

One of the most important roads passing through Tennessee is the 
Cincinnati Southern, extending fi'om Cincinnati to Chattanooga. The 
company was incorporated by the General Assembly of Ohio in 1869, 
and received a charter from the Legislature of Tennessee January 20, 
1870. The road was completed and opened for business in 1880, and 
now forms a part of the system known as the Cincinnati, New Orleans & 
Texas Pacific. Several other roads besides those mentioned have been 
constructed and are now successfully operated, but the greater number 
of them are narrow gauge roads, or are of but limited extent. 



348 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

. The General Assembly, in March, 1883, passed an act for the regula- 
tion of railroad companies, to prevent unjust discrimination in tariffs 
and rates, and to this end provided for the appointment of a railroad 
commission to consist of three persons, one for each grand division of 
the State. To this commission was given general supervision of all 
railroads in Tennessee, with power to revise all tariffs of charges for 
transportation, and to reduce the rate of charges if in any case they were 
found to be unjust or to discriminate against any person, corporation or 
locality. It was made the duty of the several companies operating rail- 
roads in the State to make annual returns of their business to the com- 
missioners in such manner as the latter might prescribe. 

In April, 1883, the governor appointed John H, Savage, J. A. Tur- 
ley and G. W, Gordon as commissioners, who immediately qualified and 
entered upon the discharge of their ojficial duties. Letters were ad- 
dressed to the representatives of the various railroads requesting them 
to make out and deliver to the commission for revision a schedule of the 
rates of charges for transportation. This several of the companies re- 
fused to do, and two of the leading roads obtained from John Baxter, 
United States Circuit Judge, an order restraining the commissioners 
from interfering in any way with the tariffs of their roads. After the 
motion for an injunction was heard Judge Baxter pronounced certain 
sections of the act creating the commission unconstitutional, and granted 
the injunctions. The cases were then appealed to the Federal Supreme 
Court, and were then pending when the Legislature of 1885 convened. 
Gov. Bates in his message advised that the commission bill of 1883 be 
not repealed, but that it be revised and made to conform to the constitu- 
tion. The bill, however, had never been very popular, and it was re- 
pealed and the commission abolished. The following figures show the 
growth of railroads in Tennessee: In 1850 there was no road' in opera- 
tion; from 1850 to 1860 1,253 miles of railroad were constructed; the 
decade which follows shows an increase of only 239 miles, making a 
total in 1870 of 1,492 miles; in 1880 there were 1,872 miles of com- 
pleted road, with an assessed valuation of $16,375,894.50. The comp- 
troller's report for 1885 places the whole number of miles of road at 
2,094.5, with an assessed valuation of $34,350,170.84. 

The history of steam-boat navigation on the Western rivers dates back 
to 1812. In the winter of that year the steamer "Orleans," built at 
Pittsburgh, made the first trip from that city to New Orleans. The suc- 
cess of this venture revolutionized river navigation and efforts were at 
once made to place steam-boats upon the Mississippi and all of its 
navigable tributaries. The message of Willie Blount to the Legislature 



350 HISTOBY OF TENNESSEE. 

Tiie orator of the day delivered an address of welcome to the commander 
of the ''Hover," Capt. Newman, who, with his ofl&cers, was feasted and 
toasted the next day at Brownsville^. The first steam-boat to pass up- 
the Forked Deer was the "Grey Eagle," in 1836. 

STATE OFFICEES. 

Governors.— Willi&m Blount, 1792-96; John Sevier, 1796-1801 r 
Archibald Eoane, 1801-03; John Sevier, 1803-09; Willie Blount, 1809- 
15; Joseph McMinn, 1815-21; William Carroll, 1821-27; Samuel Hous- 
ton, 1827-29 ^ William Hall, 1829 ^ ; William Carroll, 1829-35; New- 
ton Cannon, 1835-39; James K. Polk, 1839-4:1; James C. Jones, 1841-45; 
;^aron V. Brown, 1845-47 ; Neill S. Brown, 1847-49 ; William Trousdale, 
1849-51; AVilliam B. Campbell, 1851-53; Andrew Johnson, 1853-57; 
Isham G. Harris^ 1857-625; Andrew Johnson^, 1862-65; William G. 
Brownlow, 1865-68; D. W. C. Senter, 1868-71; John C. Brown, 1871-75; 
James D. Porter, 1875-79; Albert S. Marks, 1879-81; Alvin Hawkins, 
1881-83; William B. Bate, 1883. 

Secretaries of State. — William Maclin, 1796-1807 ; Robert Houston, 
1807-11; William G. Blount, 1811-15; William Alexander, 1815-19; 
David Graham, 1819-30; Thomas H. Fletcher, 1830-31; Samuel G. 
Smith, 1831-33; David Graham, 1833-35; Luke Lea, 1835-39; John S. 
Young, 1839-47; W. B. A. Eamsey, 1847-55; F. N. W. Burton, 1855-59; 
John E. E. Eay, 1859-62; A. J. Fletcher, 1865-70; Thomas H. Butler,. 
1870-73; Charles N. Gibb, 1873-81; David A. Nunn, 1881-85; John 
Allison, 1885. 

Treasurers. — William Black, Mero District, 1796-99; Landon Carter, 
Washington and Hamilton Districts, 1796-1800; Eobert Searcy, Mero 
District, 1799-1803 ; John Maclin, Washington and Hamilton Districts, 
1800-03; Thomas Crutcher, West Tennessee, 1803-29 ; Thomas McCorry, 
East Tennessee, 1803-13; Matthew Nelson, East Tennessee, 1813-27; 
Thomas Crutcher, Middle Tennessee, 1829-36; Miller Francis, East Ten- 
nessee, 1827-36 ; James Caruthers, Western District, 1829-36 '' ; Miller 
Francis, 1836-43 ; Matthew Nelson, ia43-45 ; Eobert B. Turner, 1845-47 ; 
A. Dibrell, 1847-55; G. C. Torbett, 1855-59; W. F. McGregor, 1859; 
E. L. Stanford, 1865-67; John E. Henry, 1867-68; James E. Eust, 
1868-70; W. Morrow, 1870-77; M. T. Polk, 1877-1883 ^ ; Atha Thomas, 
1883-85; J. W. Thomas, 1885. 

Comptrollers of the Treasury.— F. K. Zollicoffer, 1843-49; B. H. 

1 MSS. in possession of Tennessee Historical Society. 2 Resigned in April, 1829. 3 Served out the un- 
expired term of Gov. Houston. 4 Governor of the Confederate State Government to March 4, 1862. 5 Robert 
L. Caruthers was elected in 1863 by the Confederate Army, but did not take his seat. 6 Military Governor, . 
7 Treasuries consolidated. 8 Absconded January 5, 1883. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 351 

Shepparcl, 1849-51; Arthur R. Crozier, 1851-55; James C. Luttrell, 
1855-57; James T. Dunlap, 1857-61; Joseph S. Fowler, — 18G 5; S. 
W. Hatchett, 1865-661 ; G. W. Blackburn, 1866-70; E. E. Pemiebaker, 
1870-73; W. W. Hobbss, 1873; John C. Burch, 1873-75; James L. 
Gaines, 1875-81; James N. Nolan, 1881-83; P. P. Pickard, 1883. 

Librarians. — W. B. A. Ptamsey^, 1851-56; Retiu-n J. Meigs, 1856-61; 
Joseph S. Fowler, 1861-64*; A. G. Gattinger, 1864^695; Dr. Wharton, 
1869-71; Mrs. Paralee Haskell, 1871-79; Mrs S. K. Hatton, 1879. 

Commissioners of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines. — J. B. Killbrew, 
1875-81; Alvin W. Hawkins, 1881-83; A. J. McWhirter, 1883. 

State Geologists. — Gerard Troost, 1831-50; James M. Safford, 1854^. 

Superintendents of Public Instruction. — Robert H. McEwen, 1836- 
40; E. P. Currin, 1840-44'' ; John M. Fleming, 1873-75; Leon Trousdalo, 
1875-81; W. S. Doak, 1881-82; G. S. W. Crawford, July 1, 1882-83; 
Julia A. Doak, May 23 to July 1, 1882 »; Thomas H. Paine, 1883. 

Judges, Territorial. — David Campbell, 1790-96; Joseph Anderson, 
1791-96; John McNairy, 1790-96. 

Superior Court of Law and Equity. — John McNairy, 1796^; Willie 
Blount, 179610 ; Archibald Eoane, 1796-1801; Howell Tatum, 1797-98; 
W. C. C. Claiborne, 1796-97; Ancbew Jackson, 1798-1804; Hugh L. 
White, 1801-07; John Overton, 1804-10; Thomas Emmerson, 1807ii; 
Parry W. Humphreys, 1807-10; Samuel PowelL 1807-10. 

Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals. — George W. Campbell, 
1809-11; Hugh L. White, 1809-14; John Overton, 1811-16; William W. 
Cooke, 1815-1613; Archibald Eoane, 1816^3; Eobert Whyte, 1816-34; 
John Haywood, 1816-261*; Thomas Emmerson, 1818-22; Jacob Peck, 
1822-34; William L. Brown, 1822-34; John Catron, 1824-34; Henry 
Crabb, 1827 1 ^ ; Nathan Green, 1831-34. 

Supreme Court. — William B. Turley, 1834-50; William B. Eeese, 
1834-48; Nathan Green, 1834-52; Eobert J. McKinney, 1848; A. 
W. O. Totten, 1850-55; Eobert L. Caruthers, 1852-41; William E. Har- 
ris, 1855-58; Archibald Wright, 1858; William F. Cooper, 1861; 
Samuel Milligan, 1865-68; J. O. Shackleford, 1865-67; Alvin Hawkins, 
1865-68; Horace H. Harrison, 1867-68; Henry G. Smith, 1868-69; 
George Andrews, 1868-70; Andrew McClain, 1869-70; Alvin Hawkins, 
1869-70; Alfred O. P. Nicholson, 1870-76; James W. Deaderick, 

1 Elected in May, 1865. T. R. Dillon was elected April 25, but was found to be ineligible. 2 From 
January to May. 3 Secretary of State; ex o^oio Librarian. 4 Acting. 5 Appointed Aug. 14, lSG-1. 6 After 
the death of Gerard Troost, no geologist was appointed until February, 1854. 7 Office abolished January 12, 
1844 ; created again 1871 and state treasurer made superintendent, ex officio. 8 Acting. 9 Declined the ap- 
pointment. 10 Appointed in April, re.signed in September. 11 Resigned during the year. 12 Died July 
20, 1816. 13 The vacancy had been tendered to Samuel Powell, Enoch I'arsons, George Duffield and John 
Williams, but all declined. 14 Died December 22, 182G. 15 Died the same year. 



352 HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 

1870; Peter Turney, 1870; Thomas A .K Nelson, 1870-71; John L. 
T. Sneecl, 1870-78; Thomas J. Freeman, 1870; Robert McFarland, 
1871-84; J. B. Cooke, 1884; W. R Cooper, 1878. 

Court of Bcferccs.—Ail!iashYi\le,W. L. Eakin, 1883-86; W. C.Cald- 
well, 1883-86; John A. Tinnon, 1883-86. At Knoxville, John Frizzell, 
1883-85; John L. T. Sneed, 1883-85; R. T. Kirkpatrick, 1883-85. At 
Jackson, David L. Snodgrass, 1883-85; John Bright, 1883-85; John 
E. Garner, from April to July, 1883; E. L. Gardenhire, 1883-85. 

AUorney-Generals. — George S. Yerger, 1835-39 ; "VV. H. Humphreys, 
1839-51; William G. Swann, 1851-53; John L. T. Sneed, 1853-58; 
John W. Head, 1858-61; Horace Maynard, 1863-65; Thomas H. Cald- 
well, 1865-70; Joseph B. Heiskell, 1870-75; B. J. Lea, 1875. 

Bej)rcsentcdivcs. — IV Congress, 1796-97, Andrew Jackson; V Con- 
gress, 1797-99, William C. C. Claiborne; VI Congress, 1799-1801, same; 
VII Congress, 1801-03, William Dickson; VIII Congress, 1803-05, 
George W, Campbell, AVilliam Dickson and John Rhea; IX Congress, 
1805-07, same; X Congress, 1807-09, George AV. Campbell, John Rhea 
and Jesse Wharton; XI Congress, 1809-11, Pleasant M. Miller, John 
Rhea and Robert Weakley; XII Congress, 1811-13, Felix Grundy, John 
Rhea and John Sevier; XIII Congress, 1813-15, John H. Bowen, New- 
ton Cannon, Felix Grundy*, Thomas K. Harris, John Rhea, Parry W. 
Humphreys and John Sevier; XIV Congress, 1815-17, William G. 
Blount, Bennet H. Henderson, James B. Reynolds, Samuel Powell, Isaac 
Thomas and Newton Cannon; XV Congress, 1817-19, William G. Blount, 
Thomas Claiborne, Samuel Hogg, Francis Jones, George W^ L. Marr 
and John Rhea; XVI Congress, 1819-21, Robert Allen, Henry H. 
Bryan, Newton Cannon, John Cocke, John Rhea and Francis Jones; 
XVII Congress, 1821-23, Robert Allen, Henry H. Bryan,f Newton Can- 
non, John Cocke, Francis Jones and John Rhea; XVIII Congress, 1823 
-25, A. R. Alexander, Robert Allen, John Blair, John Cocke, Samuel 
Houston, Jacob C. Isacks, James B. Reynolds, James T. Sandford and 
James Standifer; XIX Congress, 1825-27, A. R. Alexander, Robert Al- 
len, John Blair, John Cocke, Samuel H^ouston, Jacob C. Isacks, John H. 
Marable, James C. Mitchell and James K. Polk; XX Congress, 1827-29, 
John Bell, John Blair, David Crockett, Robert Desha, Jacob C. Isacks, 
Pryor Lea, John H. Marable, James C. Mitchell and James K. Polk; 
XXI Congress, 1829-31, John Bell, John Blair, David Crockett, Robert 
Desha, Jacob C. Isacks, Cave Johnson, Pryor Lea, James K. Polk and 
James Standifer; XXII Congress, 1831-33, Thomas D. Arnold, John 

*Resigned in 1814. 

fls said not to have taken his seat. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 353 

Bell, John Blair, William Fitzgerald, William Hall, Jacob C. Isacks, 
Cave Johnson, James K. Polk and James Standifer; XXIII Congress, 
1833-35, John Bell, John Blair, Samuel Bunch, David Crockett, D«,vid 
^Y. Dickinson, William C. Dunlap, John B. Forester, William M. Inge, 
Cave Johnson, Luke Len, Bailie Peyton, James K. Polk and James Stan- 
difer; XXiy Congress, 1835-37, John Bell, Samuel Bunch, William B. 
Carter, William C. Dunlap, John B. Forester, Adam Huntsman, Cave 
Johnson, Luke Lea, Abraham P. Maury, Bailie Peyton, James K. Polk, 
Ebenezer J. Shields and James Standifer; XXV Congress, 1837-30, 
John Bell, AVilliam B. Campbell, William B. Carter, Richard Cheatham, 
John W. Crockett, Abraham P. Maury, Abraham McLellan, James K. 
Polk, Ebenezer J, Shields, William Stone, Hopkins L. Turney, C. H. 
Williams and Joseph L. Williams; XXVI Congress, 1839-41, John Bell, 
Julius AV. Blackwell, Aaron V, Brown, William B. Campbell, William B. 
Carter, John AY. Crockett, Meredith P. Gentry, Cave Johnson, Abraham 
McLellan, Hopkins L. Turney, Harvey M. AVatterson, C. H. AVilliams 
and Joseph L. AA^illiams; XXVII Congress, 1811-43, Thomas Arnold, 
Aaron V. Brown, Milton Brown, Thomas J. Campbell, AVilliam B. Camp- 
bell, Eobert L. Caruthers, Meredith P. Gentry, Cave Johnson, Abraham 
McLellan, Hopkins L. Turney, Harvey M. AVatterson. C. H. AVilliams 
and Joseph L. Williams; XXVIII Congress, 1843-45, John B. Ashe. 
Julius AV. Blackwell, Aaron V. Brown, Milton Brown, Alvan Cullom, D. 
AV. Dickinson, Andrew Johnson, Cave Johnson, George AV. Jones, Joseph 
H. Peyton and AA^illiam T. Senter; XXIX Congress, 1845-47, Milton 
Brown, Lucien B. Chase, William M. Cocke, John H. Crozier, Alvan 
Cullom, Edwin H. Ewing, Meredith P. Gentry, Andrew Johnson, George 
AV. Jones, Barclay Martin, Frederick P. Stanton; XXX Congress, 1847- 
49, Washington Barrow, Lucien B. Chase, AA'illiam M. Cocke, John H. 
Crozier, Meredith P. Gentry, William T. Haskell, Hugh L. AV. Hill, An- 
drew Johnson, George AV. Jones, Frederick P. Stanton and James H. 
Thomas; XXXI Congress, 1849-51, Josiah M. Anderson, AndreAv Ew- 
ing, Meredith P. Gentry, Isham G. Harris, Andrew Johnson, George W. 
Jones, John H. Savage, Frederick P. Stanton, James H. Thomas, Albert 
G. AVatkins and C. H. AVilliams; XXXII Congress, 1851-53, AAllliam M. 
Churchwell, AVilliam Cullom, Meredith P. Gentry, Isham G. Harris, An- 
drew Johnson, George W. Jones, AVilliam H. Polk, John H. Savage, 
Frederick P. Stanton, Albert G. AVatkins and C. H. AVilliams ; XXXIII 
Congress, 1853-55, Robert M. Bugg, AVilliam M. Churchwell, AVilliam 
Cullom, Emerson Etheridge, George AV. Jones, Charles Ready, Samuel 
A. Smith, Frederick P. Stanton, Nathaniel G. Taylor and Felix K. ZoUi- 
coffer; XXXIV Congress, 1855-57, Emerson Etheridge, George W. 



354 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Jones, Charles Ready, Thomas Rivers, John H. Savage, Samuel A. 
Smith, William H. Sneed, A. G.-Watkins, John V. Wright and Felix K. 
ZolMcoffer; XXXV Congress, 1857-59, John D. C. Atkins, William T. 
Avery, George W. Jones, Horace Maynard, Charles Ready, John H. 
Savage, Samuel A. Smith, A. G. Watkins, John V. Wright and Felix K. 
Zollicoffer; XXXVI Congress, 1859-61, William T. Avery, Reese B. 
Brabson, Emerson Etheridge, Robert Hatton, Horace Maynard, Thomas 
A. R. Nelson, James M. Quarles, William B. Stokes, James H, Thomas 
and John V. Wright; XXXVII Congress, 1861-(33, George W. Bridges,* 
Andrew J. Clementsf and Horace Maynard; XXXVIII Congress, 1863- 
C5, vacant; XXXIX Congress, 1865-67, Samuel M. Arnell, William B. 
Campbell, Edmund Cooper, Isaac R. Hawkins, John W. Leftwich, Hor- 
ace Maynard, William B. Stokes and Nathaniel J. Taylor; XL Congress, 
1867—69, Samuel M. Arnell, Roderick R. Butler, Isaac R. Hawkins, Hor- 
ace Maynard, James Mullins, David A. Nunn, William B. Stokes and 
John Trimble; XLI Congress, 1869-71, Samuel M. Arnell, Roderick R. 
Butler, Isaac R, Hawkins, Horace Maynard, William F. Prosser, Will- 
iam J. Smith, William B. Stokes and Lewis Tillman; XLII Congress, 
1871-73, John M. Bright, Roderick R. Butler, Robert P. Caldwell, Abra- 
ham E. Garrett, Edward L. Galladay, Horace Maynard, William W 
Vaughan and W. C. Whitthorne; XLIII Congress, 1873-75, John D. C. 
Atkins, John M. Bright, Roderick R. Butler, William Crutchfield, Hor- 
ace H. Harrison, Barbour Lewis, Horace Maynard, David A. Nunn, Ja- 
cob M. Thornburgh and W. C. Whitthorne; XLIV Congress, 1875-77, 
John D. C. Atkins, John M. Bright, William P. Caldwell, G. G. Dibrell, 
John F. House, William McFarland, Haywood T. Riddle, Jacob M. 
Thornburgh, W. C. Whitthorne and Casey Young; XLV Congress, 1877 
-79,. J. D. C. Atkins, John M. Bright, W. P. Caldwell, George G. Dib- 
rell, John F. House, James H. Randolph, W. M. Randolph, H. T. Rid- 
dle, J. M. Thornburgh, W. C. Whitthorne and Casey Young; XLVI 
Congress, 1879-81, R. L. Taylor, L. C. Houk, George G. Dibrell, Ben- 
ton McMillin, John M. Bright, John F. House, W. C. Whitthorne, John 
D. C. Atkins, Charles B. Simonton and Casey Young; XL VII Congress, 
1881-83, A. H. Pettibone, Leonidas C. Houk, George G. Dibrell, Ben- 
ton McMillin, Richard Warner, John.F. House, W. C. Whitthorne, John 
D. C. Atkins, Charles B. Simonton and William R. Moore ; XL VIII 
Congress, 1883-85, A. H. Pettibone, L. C. Houk, George G. Dibrell, 
Benton McMillin, Richard Warner, A. J. Caldwell, John M. Taylor, 
Rice A. Pierce, Casey Young and John G. Ballentine; XLIX Congress, 
1885-87, A. H. Pettibone, L. C. Houk, J. R. Neal, Benton McMillin, 

*Took his seat February 25, 1803. fTook his seat January 13, 1862. 



HI8T0KY OF TENNESSEE. 355 

James D. Kichardson, A. J. Caldwell, J. G. Ballentine, J. M. Taylor, P. 
O. Glass and Zachariah Taylor. 

Senators. — IV Congress, 1796-97, William Blount and William 
Cocke; V Congress, 1797-99, William Blount S William Cocke, Joseph 
Anderson, Andrew Jackson-, Daniel Smith; VI Congress, 1799-1801, 
Joseph Anderson and William Cocke; VII Congress, 1801-03, same; 
VIII Congress, 1803-05, same ; IX Congress, 1805-07, Joseph Ander- 
son and Daniel Smith; X Congress, 1807-09, same; XI Congress, 
1809-11, Joseph Anderson, Daniel Smith ^ and Jenkin Whiteside^; 

XII Congress, 1811-13, Joseph Anderson and George W. Campbell; 

XIII Congress, 1813-15, Joseph Anderson, George W. Campbell^ and 
Jesse Wharton; XIV Congress, 1815-17, George W. Campbell and John 
Williams; XV Congress, 1817-19, George W. Campbell e, John Will- 
iams and John H. Eaton; XVI Congress, 1819-21, John H. Eaton and 
John Williams; XVII Congress, 1821-23, same; XVIII Congress, 
1823-25, John H. Eaton and Andrew Jackson; XIX Congress, 1825-27, 
John H. Eaton, Andrew Jackson '" and Hugh Lawson White ; XX Con- 
gress, 1827-29, John H. Eaton and Hugh L. White; XXI Congress, 
1829-31, John H. Eaton », Hugh L. White and Felix Grundy; XXII 
Congress, 1831-33, Felix Grundy and Hugh L. White; XXIII Congress, 
1833-35, same; XXIV Congress, 1835-37, same; XXV Congress, 
1837-39, Hugh L. White, Felix Grundy » and Ephraim H. Foster; 
XXVI Congress, 1839-41, Hugh L. Whitei«, Felix Grundy ^S Alex- 
ander Anderson and A. O. P. Nicholson ; XXVII Congress, 1841-43, 
A. O. P. Nicholsoni2; XXVIII Congress, 1843-45, Ephraim H. Foster 
and Spencer Jarnagin ; XXIX Congress, 1845-47, Spencer Jarnagin and 
Hopkins L. Turney ; XXX Congress, 1847-49, John Bell and Hopkins 
L. Turney; XXXI Congress, 1849-51, same ; XXXII Congress, 1851-53, 
John Bell and James C. Jones; XXXIII Congress, 1853-55, same; 
XXXIV Congress, 1855-57, same; XXXV Congress, 1857-59, John Bell 
and Andrew Johnson; XXXVI Congress, 1859-61, Andrew Johnson and 
A. O. P. Nicholson ; XXXVII Congress, 1861-63, Andrew Johnson^^. 
XXXVIII Congress, 1863-65, vacant; XXXIX Congress, 1865-67, 
Joseph S. Fowler and David T. Patterson; XL Congress, 1867-69, same; 
XLI Congress, 1869-71, William G. Brownlow and Joseph S. Fowler; 
XLII Congress, 1871-73, William G. Brownlow and Henry Cooper; 
XLIII Congress, 1873-75, same; XLIV Congress, 1875-77, James E. 
Bailey, Henry Cooper, Andrew Johnson ^^ and David M. Key^^; 

1 Expelled for high misdemeanors, July 8, 1797. 2 Resigned in 1798. 3 Resigned in 1809. 4 Resigned 
in 1811. 5 Resigned in 1814. 6 Resigned in 1818. 7 Resigned in 1825. 8 Resigned in 1829. 9 Resigned in 
1838. 10 Resigned in 1840. 11 Died December 19, 1840. 12 Other seat vacant. 13 Other seat vacant. 
14 Died July 31, 1875. 15 Appointed pro tern, in place of Andrew Johnson. 



356 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

XLV Congress, 1877-79, James E. Bailey and Isham G. Harris; XL VI 
Congress, 1879-81, same;XLYII Congress, 1881-83, Isham G. Harris 
and Howell E. Jackson; XLYIII Congress, 1883-85, same; XLIX Con- 
gress, 1885-87, sama 

GUBERNATOEIAL ELECTION EETUENS. 

1815, Kobert Weakley, 6,028 ; Joseph McMinn, 14,980 1. 1817, Eob- 
ert C. Foster, 15,460; Joseph McMinn, 28,402. 1819, Enoch Parsons, 
8,079; Joseph McMinn, 33,524. 1821, Edward Ward, 7,294; William 
Carroll, 31,029. 1823, No opposition; William Carroll, 32,597. 1825, 
no opposition; William Carroll. 1827, Newton Cannon; Samuel Hous- 
ton^. 1829, no opposition; William Carroll, 57,551. 1831, no opposi- 
tion; William Carroll. 1833, no opposition; William Carroll, 51,184. 
1835, Newton Cannon, 42,795; William Carroll, 35,247. 1837, Newton 
Cannon, 52,660; — Armstrong, 32,695. 1839, Newton Cannon, 50,841;, 
James K. Polk, 52,899. 1841, James C. Jones, 53,58(); James K. Polk, 
50,343. 1843, James C. Jones, 57,491; James K. Polk, 52,692. 1845. 
Ephraim H. Foster, 56,646; Aaron V. Brown, 58,269. 1847, Niell S. 
Brown, 61,372; Aaron V. Brown, 60,004. 1849, Niell S. Brown, 60,350; 
William Trousdale, 61,740. 1851, William B. Campbell, 63,333; Will- 
iam Trousdale, 61,673. 1853, Gustav A. Henry, 61,163; Andrew John- 
son, 63,413. 1855, Meredith P. Gentry, 65,343; Andrew Johnson, 67.- 
499. 1857, Robert Hatton, 59,807; Isham G. Harris, 71,178. 1859, 
John Netherland, 68,042; Isham G. Harris, 76,073. 1861, Isham G. 
Harris, 70,273 (Confederate); W. H. Polk, 37,915. 1865, William G. 
Brownlow, 23,222 (Republican) ; William B. Campbell, 25. 18()7, Will- 
iam G. Brownlow, 74,034; Emerson Etheridge, 22,250. 1869, T>. W. 
C. Senter, 120,234; — Stokes, 55,046. 1870, W. H. Wisener, 41,500; 
J. C. Brown, 78,979. 1872, A. A. Freeman, 84,089; John C. Brown. 
97,700. 1874, Horace Maynard, 55,847; James D. Porter, 105,061; — 
Brooks, 222. 1876, George Maney, 10,436; James D. Porter, 123,740; 
Dorsey B. Thomas, 73,693^; W. F. Yardley, 2,165^. 1878, E. M. 
Wight, 42,328; A. S. Marks^ 89,018; E. M. Edwards, 15,196^. 1880. 
Alvin Hawkins, 102,969; John V. Wright, 79,191; S. F. Wilson, 57,- 
4246; R. M. Edwards, 3,6415. 1^82, Alvin Hawkins, 90,660; William 
B. Bate, 118,821; Joseph H. Fussell, 4,599 ^ John R. Bealey, 9,572^ 
1884, Frank T. Ried, 125,276; William B. Bate, 132,201; W. J. Bu- 
chanan, 636 5. 

1 Also Jesse Wharton, 5,918; Robert f. Foster, 3,626, and Gen. Johnson, 2,417. 2 Houston's majority 
12,000. 3 Independent Democrat. 4 Indepenaent Republican. 5 Greenback. 6 "Low Tax" Democrat. 
7 "State Credit" or "Sky-blue" Democrat. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 



357 



The following table shows the total number and amount of bonds is- 
sued by the State from 1832 to 1881, the rate of interest, and the purpose 
for which they were issued. 



Number. Rate 



Amount. 



Union Bank of Tennessee 

*Bank of Tennessee 

Kashville, Jlurfreesboio & Shelbyville Turnpike Company 

Gallatin Turnpike Company 

Chambers & Purdy Turnpike Company 

Franklin A Columbia Turnpike Company 

Columbia Central Turnpike Company 

NaslivillcA Charlotte 1'uiuiiike Company 

Fayetteville&.Shelbyville Turnpike Company 

I'elhara & Jasper Turnpike Company 

Columbia, Pulaski & Elkton Turnpike Company 

Clarksvillft & Russellville Turnpike Company 

Forked Deer Turnpike Comijany 

Big Hatchie Turnpike Company 

Gallatin & Cumberland Turnpike Company 

Nolensville Turnpike Company 

AshportTurniiike Company 

Fulton Turnpike Company 

Lebanon & Sparta Turnpike Company 

NashvilleA Kentucky Turnpike Company 

Ceulriil. "Southern Kailroad ('ompany , 

Memphis & Ohio Ilailroad Company 

INlississippi & Tennessee Itailroad Company 

Winchester & Alabama Railroad Company 

Memphis, ClarksvilleA Louisville Railroad Company 

Edgefield & Kentucky Railroad Company 

Rogersville & Jefferson Railroad Company 

Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company 

Knoxvi!le& Kentucky Railroad Company 

Cincinnati, Cumberland ( iap & Charleston Railroad Company. 

Knoxville A Charleston Railroad Company 

Nashville & Northwestern Railroad Company 

NashvilleA Chattanooga Railroad Company 

Tennessee & Paftiilc Railroad Company 

Mississippi Central Railroad Company 

Southern Railroad Company (Southwestern) 

East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Company. 

f.Mineral Home Railroad Company 

Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad Company 

Nashville & Decatur Railroad Company 

Louisville, Cincinnati & Charleston Railroad Company 

Capitol bond? 

Agricultural Bureau bonds 

Murfreesboro & Manchester Turnpike Company 

Harpeth Turnpike Company 

Cumberland & Stone's River Turnpike Company 

Lebanon & Nashville Turnpike Company 

Jefferson Turnpike Company 

Carthage AHartsville Turnpike Company 

Carthage & Rome Turnpike Company 

Carthage, Alexander & Red Sulphur Turnpike Company 

Dyersburg<fe Mississippi Turnpike Company 

Bristol AKendrick's Creek Turnpike Comi)any 

Rogersville & Little War (fap Turnpike Company 

New Market Turnpike Company 

Jacksboro & Powell's Valley Turnpike Company 

Mulberry & Rogersville Turnpike Company 

Mansker's Creek & Springfield Turnpike Company 

East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad Company 

Hiwassee Railroad Company 

Memphis & Charleston Railroad Company 

East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad Company 

Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company 

La Grange & Memphis Railroad Company 

Mc^Minnville & Manchester Railroad Company 

Tennessee & Alabama Railroad Company 

Hermitage bonds 

Funding bonds, act of 1866 

Funding bonds, act of 1868 

New series funding bonds, act of 1873 

Renewal bonds 



500 

2,500 

67 

132 

7 

75 

150 

30 

16 

44 

127 

37 

7 

14 

6 

49 

35 

6 

85 

50 

596 

1,999 

398 

1,289 

1,582 

1,180 

385 

1,296 

2,350 

1,373 

710 

3,222 

395 

1,185 

1,124 

503 

400 

100 

200 

350 

32 

1,166 

30 

49 

39 

107 

81 

45 

6 

8 

16 

25 

20 

20 

15 

8 

60 

10 

1,614 

449 

1,700 

2,202 

445 

200 

772 
1,173 
48 
4,941 
2,200 
6,657 

697 



Grand total. 



5 
6 

5M 

|5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
6 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
6 
6 
6 
6 



6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
5 
5 
5 

h 

6 



8500,000 00 

2,500,000 00 

66,666 66 

132,500 00 

7,000 00 

75,900 00 

150,000 00 

30,000 00 

16,000 00 

44,000 00 

127,600 00 

37,500 00 

7,000 00 

14,000 CO 

6,000 00 

49,000 00 

35,000 00 

6,000 00 

85,000 00 

50,000 00 

596,000 00 

1,999,000 00 

398,000 00 

1,289,000 00 

1,582,000 00 

1,180,000 00 

385,000 00 

1,296,000 00 

2,350,000 00 

1,373,000 00 

710,000 00 

3,222,000 00 

395,000 00 

1,185,000 00 

1,124,000 00 

503,000 00 

400,000 00 

100,000 00 

200,000 00 

350,000 00 

32,000 00 

866,000 00 

30,000 00 

49,000 00 

39,000 00 

107,000 00 

81,000 00 

45.000 00 

6,000 00 

8,000 00 

16,000 00 

25,000 00 

20,000 00 

20,000 00 

15,000 00 

8,000 00 

50,000 00 

10,000 00 

1,614,000 00 

449,000 00 
1,700,000 00 
2,202,000 CO 

445,000 00 




|$49,102,416.66 



* Only 1,000 of these bonds were sold. 
t Rejected. 



:^ M iTi Xi w :« — L': r- cs c- r; »-"? -^ oi t- o o 00 t- c-i -^ c-i -^ t^ o c-i c^ o t- oo 00 

?:)CCiOOC^-^rHOr-'lQO«?'*<005C^COlOr-iOOOO(NOait-COi— t-r^(NcM 
t-< rirlrH 00 tH Ol r-1 <M i-l <M i-l CO i-H r-l ri i-l iM r-l rH 




u o == ij J5 J 






(358) 



lOCTJi— 1?3 COO ClOCOOOQOOii— it-OOiO'-'Ci CP0i^^C^«0»0t-C0t-OC5ri<Mr-iQgi0'M 

i-lrHlOi-t i-Hi-ir-ti-ti-iCN^r-t i-*C^ (NOS ri 



oooo»ccc?£>05<-<r:.(Mt:^T**t^i 






' t- 00 CO OS O t- 




(359) 



360 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 



AGGREGATE POPULATION OF THE STATE. 



Counties. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


1840. 


1&50. 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 








3959 
8242 


4668 
16012 


5310 
30396 


5658 
20546 
4772 
5676 
11745 
7385 
6140 
7163 
12362 
5372 


6938 

21511 

6315 

5959 

12424 

12259 

6068 

8982 

15967 

6296 


7068 

21584 

8463 

4459 

13270 

11701 

6712 

9509 

17437 

7124 

7258 


8704 
24333 
8234 
4870 
14237 
11652 
7445 
10502 
19447 
7909 
6678 


1082* 


Bedford 






26025 








9780 








3259 
8839 


50(15 
11258 


4648 
11028 


5617 


Blount 




5587 


15985 






12124 








2668 


4224 


5110 


10005 








11859 












9397 
6414 


22103 






4813 


4190 


4835 


10019 






7956 


























4798 


5508 


8470 


9474 


9369 


9643 


9321 


13373 


('lav 






6987 








5154 


4892 


6017 


6992 
8184 


8300 
8361 


10408 
9689 


12458 
10237 


14808 


Colfee 






12894 














14109 


















3460 
47055 

6276 
10573 

9982 
10536 
24327 

5054 
13848 
21777 
26)66 
19004 
19004 

3093 


3461 
62897 

7772 
11425 

9340 
13706 
26145 

4717 
14970 
25666 
32413 
21668 
21668 

3250 


4538 




3459 


9965 


15608 


20154 


28122 


30509 


38882 

6003 

8016 

8404 

6361 

26719 

4464 

13768 

19548 

25949 

17824 

17824 

2773 


79026 




8498 


DeKalb 












5868 

7074 

4484 

21501 

3550 

12033 

13689 

21494 

10572 

16076 


14813 


Dickson 


;::::::::::: :;;::::;;:;: 


4516 


5190 


7265 

1904 

8652 

2748 

15620 

5801 

18703 

1006G 

14410 


12460 








15118 












31871 












5941 








5730 


16.571 


17178 








32685 








4516 
6307 
9713 


12558 
7651 
11324 


36014 






7367 
7610 


12384 




7741 


24005 




4592 


Hamblen 














10187 










821 


2276 


8175 


10075 
5«60 
17456 
10328 
13370 
17269 
1.3164 
18233 
9397 


13258 
7020 
17769 
11214 
16162 
19232 
14491 
19133 
9312 


17241 

7148 
18074 
11768 
15837 
25094 
14217 
203SO 

9856 


23642 




::::::::::::::::::::::■ 




9098 


Hardeman 










11655 
4868 

13683 
5334 
8748 

12249 
8119 


14563 

8245 
15035 
13870 
11875 
14906 

8618 


22921 










1462 
10949 


14793 




6970 


6563 


7643 


20610 


Haywood 


26053 












17430 












22142 


Hickman 






2583 


6080 


12095 


Houstoii 


. 




4295 








1511 
5401 


4067 
7593 


6187 
9698 


5195 
12872 


6422 
15673 


9096 
11725 


9326 
12583 


11379 








12008 


James 






6187 






9017 


7309 


8953 


11801 


12076 

2658 

15485 


13204 
3705 

18807 


16043 

5018 

22813 


19476 
5852 

28990 
2428 

10838 
7601 
1986 

28050 


15846 






7766 


Knox 




12446 


10171 


13034 


14498 


39124 


Lake 




3968 


Lauderdale 












3435 
7121 


5169 

9280 

4438 

23492 


7559 
9320 
2241 

22828 


1491S- 


Lawrence 








3271 


6411 


10383 










2181 


Lincoln 






6104 


14761 


22075 


21493 


26960 


Loudon 






9148 
















0948 
21470 

6314 
15616 
29520 
13906 
12864 

4879 
11874 
21045 


7290 
21535 

6190 
14592 
32498 
13555 
14732 

4667 
12607 
20895 


6633 
23480 

6841 
162U7 
36289 
13969 
12726 

4511 
12589 
24747 


9321 












11594 
5508 


16630 
6070 
14555 
2S186 
1J719 
9385 
■1794 
12056 
16927 


30874 


Marion 








3888 


10910 


Marshall 








19259 


Maury 






10359 


22089 
1623 


27665 

14460 

5697 


39904 


McMinn 






15064 


McNairj' 








17271 


Meigs 










7117 










2529 

12219 


13708 
14349 


14283 




1387 


2899 


8021 


28481 


Moore 


6233 


Morgan 








1676 


25S2 
2099 
8242 
7094 


2600 
4814 
9279 
7419 


3430 
7633 
11211 
6821 


3353 
12817 
12637 

6042 


2969 
15584 
11297 

6925 


5156 


Obion 








22912 


Overton 






5643 


7128 
2384 


12U3 


Perry 






7174 


Pickett 










Polk 












3570 


6338 


8726 

8558 

4991 

13583 

15265 

27918 

3519 

2120 

9122 

48092 


7369 

8698 
6538 
15622 
16166 
33289 
4054 
2335 
11028 
76378 


7269 


Putnam 












11501 


Khea 






2504 
5581 
7270 
10265 


4215 
7895 
9938 
19552 


8186 
11341 
13272 
26134 


3985 
10948 
13801 
14280 


4415 
12185 
16145 
29122 

1905 


7073 


.Roane 






15237 


Robertson 




4280 


18862 


Rutherford 




36741 


Scott 






6021 


Sequatchie 1 








1 


2565 


Sevier 


3619 


3419 


4595 


4772 
364 


5717 
5648 


6442 
14721 


6920 
31157 


15541 
78430 


Shelby 




' 







♦Tennessee County. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



361 



AGGREGATE POPULATION OF THE STATE. 



Counties. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 


Smith 




4294 


11649 
4262 
6847 

13729 


17580 
8397 
7015 

19211 


19906 
6968 
10073 
20569 
5317 


21179 

8587 

10736 

22445 

6800 


18412 
9719 
11742 
22717 
8887 


16357 
9896 
13552 
22030 
10705 


15994 
12U19 
13136 
23711 
14884 


17799 






12690 




4447 
2196 


10218 
4616 


18321 




23625 




21033 












6646 






















3645 



















6117 

2581 
11147 
11829 

9115 
18216 

9381 
23827 
26072 


7605 
2725 
12714 
16317 
10209 
20755 
9375 
25328 
25881 


10260 
















2674 
10170 
13861 

8170 
14608 
11444 
27201 
2744:1 


2933 








6725 
7740 


103S4 

•9557 

2459 


15210 
10995 
6013 
4797 
9907 
26G38 
25472 


1O803 
11751 
7705 
9870 
10747 
27006 
24460 


14079 




5872 


6379 


16181 




11301 










24538 


AVhite 






4028 
13153 
11952 


8701 
20640 
18730 


11176 






2868 
3261 


28313 






28747 








Totals 


35691 


105602 


261727 


422771 


681904 


829210 


1002717 


1109801 


1258520 


1542359 



THE FOilMATION OF COUNTIES. 



Washington 

MuUivan 

Greene 

Davidson 

Sumner 

Hawkins 

Tennessee ... 

.lefferson 

Knox 

Sevier 

Blount 

('arter 

tjirainger 

Montgomery 
Robertson .... 

Cocke 

Smith 

Wilson.. 

Williamson... 

Anderson 

Koaue 

Claiborne ... 

Jackson 

Dickson 

Stewart 

llutherford... 

Campbell 

Overton 

White 

Hickman 

Rhea 

Bledsoe 

Franklin 

Bedford 

Warren 

Maury 

Humphreys.. 

Lincoln 

Oiles 

Morgan 

Lawrence 

Marion 

Wayne 

Hardin 

Monroe 

McMinn 

Perry 

Shelby 

Hamilton 

Henry 



Date of 
Cre- 
ation. 



1777 
1779 
1783 
1783 
1786 
1786 
1788 
1792 
1792 
1794 
1795 
179G 
1796 
1796 
1796 
1797 
1799 
1799 
1799 
1801 
ISO I 
1801 
1801 
1803 
1803 
1803 
1806 
1806 
1806 
ISO" 
1807 
1807 
1807 
1807 
1807 
1807 
1809 
1809 
1809 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1819 

1819 
1819 
1819 
1819 
1819 
1821 



FROM WHAT FORMED. 



Wilkes and Burke Cos., N. C 

Washington Co 

Washington Co 

Greene Co 

Davidson Co 

Sullivan Co 

Davidson Co 

Greene and Hawkins Cos 

Greene and Hawkins Cos 

Jeflferson Co 

Knox Co 

Washington Co 

Hawkins and Knox Cos 

Tennessee Co 

Tennessee Co 

.Tefl'erson Co 

Sumner Co 

Sumner Co 

Davidson Co 

Knox and Grainger Cos 

Knox Co 

• irainger and Hawkins Cos 

Smith Co 

Robertson and Montgomery Cos 

Montgomery Co 

Davidson Co 

Anderson and Claiborne Cos 

Jackson Co 

Wilson, Smith, Jackson & Overton Cos 

Dickson Co 

Roane Co 

Roane Co 

Warren and Bedford Cos 

Rutherford Co 

White Co 

Williamson Co 

Stewart Co 

Bedford Co 

Maury Co 

Roane Co 

Hickman and Maury Cos 

Cherokee Lands 

Hickman and Humphreys Cos 

Western Dist. under control of Stewart 

and Wayne Cos 

Cherokee Lands 

Cherokee Lauds 

Hickman Co 

Hardin Co 

Rhea Co 

Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 



IN WHOSE HONOR NAMED. 



Gen. Geo. Washington. 
Gen. John Sullivan. 
Gen. Nathaniel Greene. 
Gen. William Davidson. 
Col. Jethro Sumner. 

Indian name Tenassee. 

Thomas Jefferson. 

Gen. Henry Knox. 

Gov. John Sevier. 

Gov. William Blount. 

Gen. Landon Carter. 

Mary Grainger (Mrs. Blount). 

Col. John Montgomery. 

Gen. James Robertson. 

Gen. William Cocke. 

Gen. Daniel Smith. 

Maj. David Wilson. 

Gen. Williamson, of N. C. 

Hon. Joseph Anderson. 

Gov. Archibald Boane. 

Gen. Andrew Jackson. 
William Dickson. 
Duncan Stewart. 
Gen. Rutherford of N. C, 
Col. Arthur Campbell. 



Edmund Hickman, surveyor. 



Thomas Bedford. 

Abram Maury. 
Parry W. Humphreys. 
Gen. Benjamin Lincoln. 
Gen. William B. Giles, of Va. 
Gen. Daniel Morgan. 
Com. James Lawrence. 
Gen. P'raucis Marion. 
Gen. Anthony Wayne. 

Col. Joseph Hardin. 
James Monroe. 
Gov. Joseph McMinn. 
Com. Oliver H. Perry. 
Lsaac Shelby. 
Alexander Hamilton. 
Patrick Henry. 



362 



HISTORY OE TENNESSEE. 



THE FOEMATION OF COUNTIES. 



Carroll... 

Madison 

Henderson... 
Hardeman... 

Haywood 

Dyer 

Gibson 

Weakley 

Fentress 

Obion 

Tipton 

McNairy 

Favette 

Coffee 

Lauderdale.. 

Benton 

Johnson 

Meigs 

Cannon 

Marshall 

Bradley 

DeKalb 

Polk 

Van Buren... 

Putnam 

Macon 

Lewis 

Grundy 

Hancock 

Decatur 

Scott 

*Union 

Cumberland 

Cheatham...., 
Sequatchie.., 

'Crockett 

Hamblen .... 
Trousdale ... 

Clay 

Lake 

Loudon 

Houston 

James 

Moore 

Unicoi 

Pickett 

Chester 



Date of 
Cre- 
ation. 



1821 
1821 
1821 
182.S 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1823 
1824 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1837 
1839 
1840 
1842 
1842 
1843 
1844 
1844 
1845 
1849 
1850 

1855 

1856 
1857 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1871 

1871 
1872 
1875 
1879 
1879 



FROM WHAT FORMED. 



Western Dist. under control ot Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control ol Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 

Hardin Co 

Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 

Overton and Morgan Cos 

Western Dist. under control ol Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 
Western Dist. under control of Stewart Co. 

Hardeman and Shelby Cos 

Warren, Franklin and Bedford Cos 



Humphreys and Henry Cos. 
Carter Co 



Bedford, Maury, Lincoln and Giles Cos.. 



White, Warren, Cannon, Wilson, Jackson. 

Bradley and McMinn Cos 

White, Warren and Bledsoe Cos 

White, Overton, Jackson, Smith, DeKalb.. 

Smith and Sumner Cos 

Maury, Lawrence, Wayne and Hickman... 

Franklin, Coffee and Warren Cos 

Claiborne and Hawkins Cos 

Perry Co 

Anderson, Campbell, Fentress and Morgan 
Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell, Anderson 

and Knox Cos 

White, Yau Buren, Bledsoe, Ehea, Roane, 

Morgan and Putnam Cos 

Davidson, Robertson and Montgomery Cos 

Hamilton Co 

Gibson, Haywood, Dyer and Madison Cos 

Grainger, Jefferson and Hawkins Cos 

Sumner,Macon,Smith and Williamson Cos. 

Jackson and Overton Cos 

Obion Co 

Roane, Monroe and Blount Cos 

Dickson, Humphreys, Stewart and Mont-' 

gomery Cos 

Hamilton and Bradley Cos 

Lincoln and Franklin Cos 

Washington and Carter Cos 

Overton and Fentress Cos 

Madison, Henderson, McNairy and Har 

deman Cos 



IN WHOSE HONOR NAMED. 



Gov. William Carroll. 
James Madison. 

Col. Thomas J. Hardeman. 
Judge John Haywood. 
Col. Henry Dyer. 
Col. Thomas Gibson. 



From Obion River. 
Jacob Tipton. 
Judge John McNairy 



Col. James Lauderdale. 
Thomas H. Benton. 

Return J. Meigs. 
Gov. Newton Cannon. 



Baron De Kalb. 
James K. Polk. 
Martin Van Buren. 
Israel Putnam. 

Meriwether Lewis. 
Felix Grundy. 
John Hancock. 
Com. Stephen Decatur 
Gen, Winfield Scott. 



David Crockett. 
Hezekiah Hamblen. 
Gov. William Trousdale, 
Henry Clay. 
For Obion Lake. 
Fort Loudon. 
Gen. Sam Houston. 

Jesse J. James. 



*This, as well as several other counties, was not organized for a few years after the passage of the act cre- 
ating it. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 363^ 



CHAPTER XII. 

The Bench and Bar of Tennessee— The Judicial System of the Watauga 
Association — The Courts Established by North Carolina— Extracts 
FROM THE Early Records— Jurisdiction — The Conflict of Authority 
AT Watauga— County, District, Supreme and United States Courts 
—Judicial Procedure Under the Territorial Government— The Ad- 
ministration OF Justice Under the Constitutions— Expenses of the 
Judiciary — Illustrative Anecdotes— Equity and Appellate Tribu- 
nals—Formation of Circuits — Professional Character of the More 
Eminent Practitioners. 

THE early judicial system o£ Tennessee was modeled after that of 
North Carolina. In fact the system was established while the Ter- 
ritory was still under the jurisdiction of that State. But the first court 
established in what is now Tennessee was an entirely original creation of 
the Watauga settlers, and was formed to meet the exigencies of that fron- 
tier colony. It consisted of five members, embracing, it is believed, the 
following persons: John Carter, Charles Robertson, James Robertson, 
Zach Isbell and John Sevier, with W. Tatliam, as clerk. The jurisdic- 
tion of this court included the legislative, the judicial and the executive 
functions of the infant government. All of the judges, or commissioners 
as they were sometimes called, were men of distinguished ability, and 
under their rule the colony experienced a peace and prosperity which it' 
did not again kiiovv^ for many years. This court continued to exercise its 
authority until 1777, when in April of that year the General Assembly 
of North Carolina passed an act for the establishment of courts of pleas 
and quarter sessions, and also for appointing and commissioning justices 
of the peace and sheriffs for the several courts in the district of Wash- 
ington. In the following November the district of Washington was 
organized into a county. The act and its amendments establishing the 
court of pleas and quarter session defined their jurisdiction as follows: 
"The court of pleas and quarter session shall have original jurisdiction to 
hear all cases whatsoever at the common law within their respective 
counties when the debt exceeds £5, breaches of the peace and other mis- 
demeanors of what kind soever of an inferior nature, and all actions of 
detinue, trover, suits for filial portions, legacies and distributive shares of 
intestate estates and all other matters relating thereto. " In addition to this 
they were invested with the powers and duties of a court of probate, and 
later the establishment of roads, ferries and the like was imposed upon 
them. They also had appellate jurisdiction in all cases tried before a 



364 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

single justice. This court was composed of all tlie magistrates within 
its jurisdiction, all of whom sat together, but any three of whom were a 
sufficient number to transact business. A single justice had original 
jurisdiction to hear all cases brought for debt of £5 or under, and could 
also try all misdemeanor cases coming under the jurisdiction of the court 
of pleas and quarter sessions. Superior courts were established by the 
General Assembly of North Carolina in 1767. They were composed of 
three judges, two of whom were sufficient to hold court. They had orig- 
inal jurisdiction in cases brought for debts of £100 or more, where 
the parties to the suit lived in the same district. If the parties lived 
in different districts the limit was placed at £50. These courts also had 
original jurisdiction over all crimes of a serious nature, and appellate 
jurisdiction in all cases from the courts of pleas and quarter sessions. 

The first court of pleas and quarter sessions in "Washington County 
met in February, 1778. The following extract is from the journal of 
that court at its first session, Washington County, February 23. " Court 
Journal: At a court begun and held for the county of Washington, 
February 23, 1778; Present, John Carter, chairman; John Sevier, Jacob 
Womack, Robert Lucas, Andrew Greer, John Shelby, George Russell, 
William Bean, Zachariah Isbell, John McNabb, Thomas Houghton, 
William Clark, John McMahan, Benjamin Gist, John Chisholm, Joseph 
Willson, William Cobb, James Stuart, Michael Woods, Richard White, 
Benjamin Willson, James Robertson and Valentine Sevier, Esquires. On 
Tuesday, next day, John Sevier was chosen clerk of the county ; Valen- 
tine Sevier, sheriff; James Stuart, surveyor; John Carter, entry taker; 
John McMahan, register; Jacob Womack, stray master, and John 
McNabb, coroner. William Cocke, by W. Avery, moved to be admitted 
clerk of Washington County, which motion was rejected by the court, 
knowing that John Sevier is entitled to the office. The following extracts 
serve to show the prompt and vigorous manner in which this court dis- 
pensed justice: 

The State, 

vs. \ In Toryism. 



It is the opinion of the court that the defendant be imprisoned during the present war 
with Great Britain, and the sheriff take the whole of his estate into custody, which must 
be valued by a jury at the next court, one-half of said estate to be kept by said sheriff 
for the use of the State, and the other half to be remitted to the family of defendant. 

The following also appears upon the records of the Washington County 
Court : 

On motion of E. Dunlap, State's attorney, that J. H., for his ill practices in harboring 
and abetting disorderly persons who are prejudicial, and inimical to the common cause of 
liberty, and frequently disturbing our tranquility in general, be imprisoned for a term of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 365 

one year. The court, duly considering the allegations alleged and objected against the 
said J. H., are of opinion that for his disorderly practices as aforesaid, from time to time, 
and to prevent the further and future practice of the same pernicious nature, do order 
him to be imprisoned for the term of one year, and is, accordingly, ordered into the cus- 
tody of the sheriff. On motion of E. Dunlap, Esq., that a sum of money of £1,500 cur- 
rent money due from R. C. to said J. H. for two negroes, be retained in the hands of said 
R. C, as there is sufficient reason to believe that the said J. H.'s estate will be confiscated 
to the use of the State for his misdemeanors, etc. The court, considering the case, are of 
opinion that the said moneys ought to l)e retained. On motion that commissioners ought 
to be appointed to take into possession such property as shall be confiscated. The court, 
on taking the same under consideration, do nominate and appoint John Sevier, Jesse 
Walton and Zachariah Isbell, Esqs., for the aforesaid purpose. 

In some instances the action of these courts may have assumed or 
encroached upon the legislative prerogative, but these were stormy times 
and rigorous and energetic measures were necessary. In 1782 the dis- 
trict of Salisbury was divided, and the district of Morgan, which in- 
cluded Washington and Sullivan Counties, was established. Section 5 
of the act creating the district is as follows : 

And Whereas, The extensive mountains that lie desolate between the inhabited parts 
•of Washington and the inhabited parts of Berke Counties make the transportation of 
criminals from the former to the latter difficult, and on the way many frequently find 
means to break custody and escape; Wherefore, that offenders in said counties of Wash- 
ington and Sullivan may be more easily and certainly brought to justice, Be it enacted 
by the authority aforesaid, that one of the judges of the superior court and some other 
gentleman commissioned for the purpose, or one of them, twice in every year at the court 
house in Washington County, sit and hold a court of oyer and terminer and general gaol 
delivery for the trial of all criminal cases whatsoever within the limits of the courts of 
Washington and Sullivan Counties, one session thereof, beginning on the 15th day of 
February, and the other on the 15th day of August, and every session shall be continued 
by adjournment for five days exclusive of Sunday, unless the business shall be sooner fin- 
ished, and said court shall possess and exercise as full and ample power and authority in 
all criminal matters within the limits aforesaid as the judges of the superior court of law 
possess and exercise in other districts, and shall also have power to receive and try 
appeals from the county courts of Washington and Sullivan Counties. 

The first session of this court was begun and held on August 15, 
1782, the Hon. Spruce McCay, presiding. Waightstill Avery, was ap- 
jiointed attorney for the State, and John Sevier, clerk. How long this 
court continued is not definitely known, but if it continued until the 
establishment of a superior court in Washington District, it failed to ac- 
complish the purpose for which it was created. In -VYi'iting of this period, 
Ramsey, who followed Haywood, says that violations of law were permitted 
to pass unpunished, except by the summary process of the regulators 
appointed for that purpose by the people themselves, and this is assigned 
as one of the causes for the organization of the State of Franklin, It is 
certain that soon after that act of the colonies had taken place, the Gen- 
eral Assembly of North Carolina taking notice of the disaffection existing 
in the western counties passed an act organizing the counties of Wash- 
ington, Sullivan, Davidson, and Greene into a judicial district, and ap- 



366 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

pointed an assistant judge and an attorney-general for the Superior 
Court, wliich was directed to be held at Jonesboro. This with the other 
acts passed for the redress of their grievances were not sufficient to restore 
confidence to the disaffected colonists, and one of the first acts passed by 
the Legislature chosen for the State of Franklin established a judicial 
system. David Campbell was elected judge of the superior court and 
Joshua Gist and John Anderson, assistant judges. Soon after Gov. 
Sevier, by proclamation, announced the appointment of F. A. Eamsey, 
Esq., as clerk of the superior court. County courts Avere also established, 
and justices of the peace appointed. The salary of the judge of the su- 
perior court was fixed at £150 per annum, and that of the assistant judges 
£25 for each court. By the early part of 1786 these courts were all or- 
e-anized. At the same time commissions had been sent to, and accepted 
by, several in Washington, Sullivan, and Hawkins counties as justices of 
the peace, under the authority of North Carolina, and by them courts 
were held and law administered as though the State of Franklin did not 
exist. In Greene County, and the new counties below it, men could not 
be found willing to accept the offered commissions.* Then the authority 
of Franklin was supreme and no conflict of jurisdiction occurred. It was 
very different elsewhere, and especially in Washington County, when those 
who adhered to the government of North Carolina were nearly, if not quite 
equal in numbers to the friends of the new State. Col. John Tipton refused 
obedience to the new government, and under the authority of North Caro- 
lina held courts at Davis', ten miles above Jonesboro, on Buffalo Creek. 
Both superior and county courts were also held in Jonesboro by the judges 
commissioned by the State of Franklin. As the process of these courts fre- 
quently required the sheriffs to pass within the jurisdiction of each other, 
in the discharge of their official duties, collisions were sure to occur. But 
they did not confine themselves to these casual encounters. Whilst a county 
court was sitting at Jonesboro, for the county of Washington, Col. Tip- 
ton with a party of men entered the court house, took away the papers 
from the clerk and turned the justices out of court. Not long after a 
party of adherents to the new government went to the house where a 
county court was sitting under the authority of North Carolina and took 
away the clerk's papers, and turned the court out of doors, f The like 
acts were several times repeated during the existence of the Franklin 
government. Frequently records were taken and retaken several times, 
and in that way many valuable papers were lost, causing much annoy- 
ance and loss to persons interested in them. 

In 1788 the government of Franklin came to an end and the au- 
thority of North Carolina was again undisputed. In May of that year 

♦Ramsey. tHaywood. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 3G7 

courts under the authority of that State were held in Greeneville without 
interruption, and Andrew Jackson, John McNairy, David Allison, Archi- 
bald Eoane and Joseph Hamilton, who were licensed by North Carolina, 
were admitted as attorneys. The General Assembly of the previous year 
had elected David Campbell, a former adherent of Franklin, to be judge 
of the superior court for the district of Washington. 

Whilst this conflict between the State of Franklin and North Carolina 
was going on, the people of the Cumberland settlement remained undis- 
turbed in their loyalty to the latter government. In 1783 the county of 
Davidson was organized and provision was made for the establishment of 
a court of pleas and quarter sessions. The governor of North Carolina 
commissioned Anthony Bledsoe, Daniel Smith, James Robertson, Thom- 
as Mulloy, Isaac Bledsoe, Samuel Barton, Francis Prince and Isaac 
Lindsey as justices to organize the court. The four last mentioned ac- 
cordingly met at Nashville October 6, 1783, and qualified in the fol- 
lowing manner: "The next junior to the senior member present men- 
tioned in the commission administered the oath of office prescribed for 
the qualification of public officers to the senior member, and then he to 
the others present." The remainder of the justices appeared and quali- 
fied at the next term of the court. Two years later an act was passed es- 
tablishing a superior court of law and equity for the county of Davidson 
to be held twice in each year and to have exclusive jurisdiction west of 
the Cumberland Mountains. The first session of this court was to have 
been held on the first Monday in May, 1786, but a young man only 
twenty-four years of age was appointed to be judge, who upon more ma- 
ture reflection becoming fearful that his small experience and stock of le- 
gal acquirements were inadequate to the performance of those great du- 
ties which the office devolved upon him, chose rather to resign than to 
risk the injustice to suitors which others of better qualification might 
certainly avoid.* This delayed the organization of the court, and it was 
not until November, 1788, that Judge McNairy, who was appointed to fill 
the vacancy, arrived in Nashville. The following is the first entry in 
the journal of the supreme court: 

North Carolina— At a superior court of law and equity begun and held for the coun- 
ties Davidson and Sumner, at the court house in Nashville, on the first Monday in Novem- 
ber, 1788. Present, the Honorable John McNairy, judge. Proclamation was made com- 
manding silence under pain of imprisonment, while the judge proceeded in the public 
business. 

The Court then appointed John McCay, clerk and Andrew Jackson, 
attorneys in behalf of the State for that term. During this year Tennes- 
see County was created and with Davidson and Sumner Counties were 

*Haywood. 



368 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

organized into the district of Mero,* at the same time the jurisdiction 
of the superior court was somewliat enlarged, and the salary of the judge 
increased. 

A somewhat peculiar and yet wholesome regulation of legal practice 
was made by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1786. An act 
was passed making it unlawful for either the plaintiff or defendant to em- 
ploy more than one attorney "to speak to any suit in court." It also 
made it lawful for any plaintiff or defendant to enter his own plea or de- 
fend his own cause, and, to encourage this practice, it was provided that 
"no instrument of writing which contained the substance should be lost 
or destroyed for want of form, any law to the contrary notwithstanding." 
A scale of attorneys fees in various cases was fixed by this act and any 
attorney convicted of taking more or greater fees than those established 
by law was suspended from j)ractice for a term of one year. 

Upon the organization of the Territory of the United States of Amer- 
ica south of the Eiver Ohio, no material change was made in the courts. 
Those holding office under the authority of North Carolina generally 
continued to serve in the same capacity under the Territorial Govern- 
ment, though a new constitution and a new oath of office were required. 
The two judges of the superior court, David Campbell and John McNairy, 
were re-appointed by the President. Joseph Anderson was added as the 
third judge required by the ordinance establishing the Territory. That 
ordinance also provided that previous to the organization of the Legisla- 
tive Assembly, the three judges of the superior court, or two of them, 
should be associated with the governor in administering both the legis- 
lative and executive departments of the government. Judges Campbell 
and Anderson seem to have been the only ones who served in this capac- 
ity. Judge McNairy' s name not appearing in any of their proceedings. 

The Territorial Assembly, soon after its organization in 1794, passed 
an act establishing courts, but it was little more than a confirmation of 
those already in existence, with the exception that provision was made 
for the appointment of a State's attorney in each county. No change 
was made in the judges, and they continued to hold their office until the 
admission of Tennessee as a State, 1796. The constitution adopted in that 
year did not establish any courts, but left the matter entirely to the Leg- 
islature. The following is the article relating to the judiciary: 

ARTICLE V. 
Section 1. The judicial power of the State shall be vested in such superior and in- 
ferior courts of law and equity as the Legislature shall from time to time direct and estab- 
lish. 

*This district, for some reason not satisfactorily Ivnown. was named for a Spanish officer residing in the 
" Mississippi Country," with whom the Cumberland settlements had some sort of dealings and disagreements. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 369 

Sec. 2. The General Assembly shall by joint ballot of both houses appoint judges of 
the several courts of law and equity, also an attorney or attorneys for the State who shall 
hold their respective offices during good behavior. 

Skc. 3. The judges of the superior courts shall at stated times receive a compensa- 
tion for their services to be ascertained by law, but shall not be allowed any fees of office, 
nor shall they hold any other office of trust or profit under this State, or the United 
States. 

Sec. 4. The judges of the superior courts shall be justices of oyer and terminer, and 
general jail delivery throughout the State. 

Sec. 5. The judges of the superior and inferior courts shall not charge juries with 
respect to matters of fact, but may state the testimony and declare the law. 

Sec. 6. The judges of the superior court shall have power in all civil cases to issue 
writs of certiorari to remove any case or transcript thereof, from any inferior court of re- 
cord into the superior, on sufficient cause supported by oath or affirmation. 

Sec. 7. The judges or justices of the inferior courts of law shall have power in all 
cases to issue writs of certiorari to remove any case or a transcript thereof from any inferior 
jurisdiction, into their court on sufficient cause supported by oath or affirmation. 

Sec. 8. No judge shall sit on the trial of any cause wherein the parties shall be con- 
nected with him by affinity or consanguinity, except by consent of the parties. In case 
all the judges of the superior court interested in the event of an}^ cause, or related to all 
or either of the parties, the governor of the State shall in such case specially commission 
three men of law knowledge for the determination thereof. 

Sec. 9. All writs and other processes shall run in the name of the State of Tennessee 
and bear test and be signed by the respective clerks. Indictments shall conclude "against 
the peace and dignity of the State." 

Sec. 10. Each court shall appoint its own clerk, who may hold office during good 
behavior. 

Sec. 11. No fine shall be laid on any citizen of the State that shall exceed fifty dol- 
lars, unless it be assessed by a jury of his peers, who shall assess the fine at the time they 
find the fact, if they think the fine ought to be more than fifty dollars. 

Sec. 12. There shall be justices of the peace appointed for each county, two for each 
captain's company, except the company which includes the county town, which shall not 
exceed three, who shall hold their office during good behavior. 

Tlie failvire of this constitution to establish any court may justly be 
considered as one of its weakest points. A supreme court which owes 
its existence to the legislative body, and which at any time by the re- 
peal or the amendment of a single act might be altered or abolished, 
could scarcely be expected to retain its independence, nor could it be ex- 
pected to endanger its own life by calling into question the validity of a 
law. For such a court to pronounce an act unconstitutional would be 
useless, as the Legislature, having a sufficient majority to pass such an 
act, would upon any question of importance, have a majority to repeal 
the law creating the court itself. The danger from this was manifested 
in several instances, and was one of the strongest arguments in favor of 
the adoption of the new constitution in 1834. In 1829 a controversy 
arose between the judiciary and the Legislature, and the result was -the 
introduction of a bill which, had it become a law, would have abolished 
the then existing supreme court. The bill failed to pass by a single vote. 

The first General Assembly convened on the 28th of March, 1796, 



370 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and soon after passed an act establishing a superior court of law and 
equity, and a court of pleas and quarter sessions, and defining tlieir 
jurisdiction and mode of procedure, which did not differ materially 
from that of the courts under the authority of North Carolina and the 
Territory. In 1806 the district of Mero was divided into three separate 
and distinct judicial districts. The counties of Robertson, Montgom- 
ery, Dickson and Stewart were constituted one district by the name of 
Robertson, for which the courts were held at Clarksville. Jackson, Smith 
and Wilson Counties were organized into the district of Winchester, 
and courts were held at Carthage. The remaining counties, Davidson, 
Sumner, Williamson and Rutherford constituted the district of Mero, 
with the seat of justice at Nashville. The district of Hamilton had 
been formed in 1793 from the counties of Jefferson and Knox. 

On November 16, 1809, an act was passed abolishing the superior court 
and establishing circuit courts, a supreme court of errors and appeals in its 
stead. The former was made to consist of one judge, and was to be held 
twice annually in each county. It was given the same jurisdiction in all 
matters in common law and equity as belonged to the former superior 
court, exclusive jurisdiction in all criminal causes and appellate jurisdic- 
tion in all cases from the court of pleas and quarter sessions. A solicitor- 
general and a judge for each circuit were elected by a joint vote of both 
houses of the General Assembly. The State was divided into five ju- 
dicial circuits, as follows : First Circuit, Greene, Washington, Carter, Sul- 
livan, Hawkins, Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell. Second Circuit, Cocke, 
Jefferson, Sevier, Blount, Knox, Anderson, Roane, Rhea and Bledsoe. 
Third Circuit, Smith, Warren, Franklin, Sumner, Overton, White and 
JacksoA. Fourth Circuit, Davidson, Wilson, Rutherford, Williamson, 
Maury, Giles, Lincoln and Bedford. Fifth Circuit, Montgomery, Dick- 
son, Hickman, Humphreys, Stewart and Robertson. 

The supreme court of errors and appeals was made to consist of two 
judges in error and one circuit judge, and was to be held annually at the 
following places: Jonesboro, Knoxville, Carthage, Nashville and Clarks- 
ville. The jurisdiction of this court was appellate only. The act creat- 
ing these courts went into effect January 1, 1810, and Hugh L. White 
and George W. Campbell were appointed judges of the supreme court. 
In 1811 that part of the act which required the attendance of a circuit 
judge in the court of errors and appeals was rescinded, and it was pro- 
vided that when the two judges of that court differed, the judgment of 
the circuit court was to be sustained. By the same act the supreme 
court was given exclusive jurisdiction in all cases in equity arising in 
the circuit courts. In 1813 a change was made in the court of pleas 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 371 

arid quarter sessions, by which five justices were appointed to hold the 
•court, altliough the county business was transacted as before by all the 
magistrates on the first day of the session. New jiidicial circviits were 
formed from time to time as new counties were organized. In 1817 the 
Sixth Circuit was established from the counties of Lincoln, Giles, Maury, 
Bedford and Lawrence. Two years later the counties of Roane, Rhea, 
Bledsoe, Marion, McMinn, Hamilton and Monroe were constituted the 
Seventh Circuit. The counties of Henry, Carroll, Madison, Shelby, 
Wayne, Hardeman, Hardin and Perry were erected into the Eighth 
Circuit in 1821. The Ninth Circuit was formed in 1823, from the coun- 
ties of Perry, Henderson, Carroll and Henry, and all the counties to be 
established west of Carroll and Henry. The Tenth Circuit, composed of 
"Wayne, Hardin, McNairy, Hardeman, Fayette and Shelby was formed in 
1830. At the same time Warren, Franklin, Bedford, Rutherford and 
Wilson Counties were constituted the Eleventh Circuit, and Henderson 
and Perry were attached to the eighth. In 1815 the number of judges 
of the supreme court was increased to three, and Archibald Roane was 
appointed as the third judge. A fourth judge was added in 1823, and 
ihe following year a fifth. In a few months, however, it was again re- 
duced to four and so continued until the change in the constitution was 
made. In 1831 the office of chief justice was created. 

As has been stated, the Legislature of 1829 discussed and voted upon 
a bill amending the judiciary system. The Senate committee in report- 
ing vipon a bill from the House making some changes in the inferior 
courts, stated that they considered the judiciary system of Tennessee the 
most expensive and the least efficient of any in the United States. The 
objections to it as stated by them were "the multiplicity of courts which, 
either as original or appellete, can take jurisdiction of the same subject 
matter, the defective mode by which these courts are governed, the 
great delay of common right to the parties, and the unnecessary expense 
incurred by the number of courts in which the same cause may be in- 
Testigated." 

The following description of the "law's delay," as giyen by this com- 
mittee, leads one to infer that modern law courts are not so degenerate 
as they are usually considered: "x4. suit may be commenced before a jus- 
tice of the peace for a sum not exceeding 50 cents, trial be had thereon, 
■and an appeal taken to the county court; and notwithstanding the small 
sum in dispute, ambition, spite and other malicious motives frequently 
operate so as to influence one or both of the parties into a determination 
to run his adversary into as much cost and trouble as possible. For this 
purpose lawyers are employed on either side, witnesses are summoned by 



372 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

neighborhoods to attend court, often at the most busy season of the year, 
much to their inconvenience and greatly to the injury of their private 
affairs. The cause may be continued from term to term for years, during 
which time ill-will, strife, and party animosity prevail, not only between 
the parties litigant, but unfortunately, the surrounding neighborhood often 
engages in feuds in consequence of it. At length the cause is tried in 
the county cotirt where, in all well regulated governments, it should end 
so far as relates to matters of fact. But instead of ending there, and re- 
storing tranquillity to the neighborhood and relieving a host of witnesses 
who have been drawn from the cultivation of their farms or from pursuit 
of their ordinary employment, an appeal is taken to the circuit court, 
where additional fees must be given to lawyers, clerks, sheriffs, consta- 
bles and jurymen, and the parties have not gained one inch of ground 
toward terminating their controversy, but must travel over the same 
ground in relation to law and facts in the circuit court, and if their purses 
have not increased in size their animosity toward each other has in- 
creased threefold. An appeal then is taken to the supreme court. Law- 
yers' and clerks' fees are again to be paid, and should judgment be ob- 
tained for the plaintiff he may conclude that notwithstanding his road to 
justice has been tedious, yet he has at length reached the end of his 
trouble. But even here his hopes, perhaps, are succeeded by disappoint- 
ment. A bill in equity may be filed in the circuit court or district 
chancery court and the neighborhood again be disturbed in the taking- 
of depositions. The parties are again compelled to give additional fees 
to lawyers, clerks and sheriffs. At length the cause is tried before the 
fifth tribunal. An appeal is again taken to the supreme court from the 
decree of the chancellor where it is tried a sixth time with additional fees 
to clerks and other officers." 

In estimating the expense of the courts to the State, the committee 
placed the cost of jurors in the county courts alone at $58,652 per an- 
num, "an amount more than sufficient to defray the whole expense of our 
government, including a session of the Legislature each year." The 
costs in cases taken by appeal to the circuit court are estimated at $46,- 
500 annually, and the cost of grand jurors at $30,876. 

Previous to 1834 the finding of articles of impeachment against 
judges and other officers was of quite frequent occurrence. The first case 
of the kind was that of David Campbell, one of the judges of the supe- 
rior court of law and equity, impeached in 1803. The articles as pre- 
sented by the House of Representatives charged him with taking a 
bribe to the value of $50 from one James Miller, for which he agreed to 
procure a favorable decision for the latter in a case brought by John Den 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 373 

to recover the possession of two tracts of land situated in the county of 
Knox. The managers on the part of the House were Wharton, Kennedy 
and Claiborne, who procured Jenkin Whiteside as counsel for the prose- 
cution. The counsel for the defense was Edward Scott, John Williams 
and Robert Whyte. The oath was administered to the senators by Huo-h 
L. White, and Senator McMinn was chosen to preside. After hearing 
the evidence and the arguments by the counsel a ballot was taken, which 
resulted in a verdict of not guilty, the vote standing three for conviction 
and nine for acquittal. Leave was then given to the senators to have 
the reasons for their votes recorded, when the following were given by 
John Gass: ''My reasons for saying not guilty on the articles of im- 
peachment exhibited against David Campbell, one of the judges of the 
superior court of law and equity in this State, are because, if the wit- 
ness in behalf of the prosecution could have such a corrupted heart as to 
attempt to bribe a judge to the injury of another man, it is a doubtful 
case whether the evidence ought to be taken in such latitude as to con- 
vict any person, therefore as it appears to me to be a doubtful case, if I 
should err at all, I wish to err on the side of mercy." 

In 1811 articles of impeachment were exhibited by the House 
against William Cocke, judge of the First Circuit. The first two articles- 
charged him with neglecting to hold court on various occasions, and 
with failing to open and close the sessions of the court properly. The 
third article charged that "for the corrupt purpose of partiality to his 
friend," he had refused on one occasion to issue certain writs, to the 
great injury of the defendant. The case was continued until the next 
session of the Legislature, when the defendant was acquitted on the first 
two articles but convicted on the third by a vote of ten to three, and was 
accordingly removed from his office. One of the most ably contested 
cases of impeachment in the history of the State was that of Samuel H. 
AVilliams, surveyor of the Seventh District of the Congressional Reser- 
vation. He was charged with having demanded and taken extortionate 
fees, and with having allowed false entries to be made. The trial was 
begun during the session of 1821, but was continued at the request of 
the defendant until the next session of the Legislature in 1822. It was 
taken up again on July 24, of that year, and continued for nearly a month, 
when he was found guilty upon four of the eleven articles. The attor- 
neys for the defense were Jenkin Whiteside, Samuel Houston, Thomas 
Washington, Alfred Balch and Charles G. Olmstead, while one of the 
managers on the part of the House was Felix Grundy. 

In 1829 articles of impeachment were found against Joshua Haskell, 
a judge of the Eighth Circuit, charging him with having, on several oc- 



374: HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

casions, left the court house during the progress of a trial to engage in 
conversation, business and amusement. The testimony given at these 
trials throws some light on the character of the courts of those early 
times and of the houses in which they Avere held. During the trial of 
Judge Haskell a witness testified that the house in which the court was 
held in one of the counties was a very uncomfortable one — "occupied by 
hogs during the recess of the court and infested with fleas." Another 
witness, an attorney, stated that during the progress of a certain trial 
the ]udge was off the bench from between 9 and 10 o'clock until 12 
o'clock, and that upon another occasion during the argument of the 
counsel, the judge went with him outside of the court house and ate 
a part of a watermelon — a doubtful example of judical dignity. Gabriel 
Fowlkes testified that at one time during a trial he was sent for the 
judge, and found him "either at the show or in the court house yard;" he 
was not positive at which place. During the progress of this trial a difii- 
culty arose between the counsel employed as to the admissibility of testi- 
mony; the question was referred to a disinterested attorney, the judge 
being absent, who gave a decision, and the cause progressed. Judge 
Haskell, however, seems to have been a universal favorite on his circuit, 
and notwithstanding the testimony he was acquitted of the charge, the 
vote of the Senate being equally divided. 

In 1821) N. W. Williams, *judge of the Third Judical Circuit, was 
tried upon charges of neglect of official duty. One of the articles of 
impeacliment charged that "while Hopkins L. Turney, an attorney of 
that court, was arguing before him a certain civil suit concerning an In- 
dian reservation, which suit then and there was and had been on trial for 
one day, he, the said judge, unmindful of the duties of his office and his 
obligation to perform them faithfully and impartially to the best of his 
skill and ability, did carelessly, negligently and unlawfully go to sleep 
and continue asleep for the space of one hour ; waking from his sleej) he 
inquired what suit it was, and being told by said attorney, said he was 
related to some of the parties, and could not sit in that case." Charges 
of partiality were also preferred against him. He was acquitted, and it 
was generally believed that the prosecution was inspired by the animosity 
of some of the attorneys who practiced before him. 

The new constitution of 1834 made no radical change in the judicial 
system then in existence, but the supreme court was rendered indepen- 
dent of the Legislature by embodying provision for its establishment in 
that constitution. For the purpose of comparison, the article relating to 
the judiciary is given in full: 



HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 375 

ARTICLE VI. 

Section 1. The judicial power of this State shall be vested in one supreme court, in 
such inferior courts as the Legislature shall from time to time ordain and establish, and 
the judges thereof, and in justices of the peace. The Legislature may also vest such juris- 
diction as may be deemed necessary in corporation courts. 

Sec. 2. Tlie supreme court shall be composed of three judges, one of whom shall re- 
side in each of the three grand divisions of the State; the concurrence of two of said 
judges shall in every case be necessary to a decision. The jurisdiction of this court shall 
be appellate only, under such restrictions and regulations as may from time to time be 
prescribed by law; but it may possess such other jurisdiction as is now conferred by law on 
the present supreme court. Said court shall be held at one place, at one place only, in 
each of the three grand divisions in the State. 

Sec. 3. The General Assembly shall, by joint vote of both houses, appoint judges of 
the several courts of law and equity; but courts may be established t) be holden by jus- 
tices of the peace. Judges of the supreme court shall be thirty-five years of age, and 
shall be elected for the term of twelve years. 

Sec. 4. The judges of such inferior courts as the Legislature may establish shall be 
thirty years of age, and shall be elected for the term of eight years. 

Sec. 5. The Legislature shall elect attorneys for the State by joint vote of both houses 
of the General Assembly, who shall hold their offices for the term of six years. In all 
cases when an attorney for any district fails or refuses to attend and prosecute according 
to law, the court shall have power to appoint an attorney p7'o tempore. 

Sec. 6. Judges and attorneys for the State may be removed from office by a concur- 
rent vote of both houses of tlie General Assemby, each house voting separately, but two- 
thirds of all the members elected to each house must concur in such vote; the vote shall be 
determined by ayes and noes, and the names of the members voting for or against the judge 
or attorney for the State, together with the cause or causes of removal, shall be entered 
on the journals of each house, respectively. The judge or attorney for the Slate, against 
whom the Legislature may be about to proceed, shall receive notice thereof, accompanied 
with a copy of the cause alleged for his removal, at least ten days before the day on which 
either house of the General Assembly shall act thereupon. 

Sec. 7. The judges of the supreme and inferior courts shall, at stated times, receive 
a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, which shall not be increased 
or diminished during the term for which they are elected. They shall not be allowed any 
fees or perquisites of office, nor hold any other office of trust or profit under this State or 
the United States. 

Sec. 8. The jurisdiction of such inferior courts as the Legislature may from time to 
time establish shall be regulated by law. 

Sec. 9. Judges shall not charge juries with respect to matters of fact, but may state 
the testimony and declare the law. 

Sec. 10. The judges or justices of such inferior courts of law as the Legislature may 
establish shall have power ia all civil cases to issue writs of certiorari to remove any 
cause or transcript thereof, from any inferior jurisdiction, into said court on sufficient 
cause, supported by oath or affirmation. 

Sec. 11. No judge of the supreme or inferior courts shall preside in the trial of any 
cause in the event of which he may be interested or where either of the parties shall be 
connected with him by affinity or consanguinitj"- within such degrees as may be prescribed 
by law, or in which he may have been of counsel or in which he may have presided in any 
inferior court, except by consent of all the parties. In case all or any of the judges of 
the supreme court shall be thus disqualified from presiding on the trial of any cause or 
causes the court or the judges thereof shall certify the same to the governor of the State, 
and he shall forthwith specially commission the requisite number of men of law knowledge 
for the trial and determination thereof. In case of sicliness of any of the judges of the su- 
preme or inferior court so that they, or any of them, are unable to attend, the Legisla- 



376 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ture shall be authorized to make provision by general laws that special judges may be ap- 
pointed to attend said courts. 

Sec. 12. All writs and other processes shall run in the name of the State of Tennessee, 
and bear test and be signed by the respective clerks. Indictments shall conclude "against 
the peace and dignity of the State." 

Sec. 13. Judges of the supreme court shall appoint their clerks, who shall hold their 
offices for the period of six years. Chancellors (if courts of chancery shall be established) 
shall appoint their clerks and masters, who shall hold their offices for a period of six years. 
Clerks of such inferior courts as may be hereafter established, which shall be required to 
be holden in the respective counties of the State, shall be elected by the qualified voters 
thereof for the term of four years. They shall be removed from office for malfeasance, 
incompetency or neglect of duty in such manner as may be prcicribed by law. 

Sec. 14. No fine shall be laid on any citizen of the State that shall exceed fifty dol- 
lars, unless it shall be assessed by a jury of his peers, who shall assess the fine at the time- 
they find the fact, if they think the fine should be more than fifty dollars. 

Sec. 15. The different counties in the State shall be laid off, as the General Assembly 
may direct, into districts of convenient size, so that the whole number in each county shall 
not be more than twenty-five, or four for every one hundred square miles. There shall 
be two justices of the peace and one constable elected in each district by the qualified 
voters therein, except districts including county towns, which shall elect three justices and 
two constables. The jurisdiction of said officers shall be co-extensive with the county. 
Justices of the peace shall be elected for the term of two years. Upon the removal of 
either of said officers from the district in which he was elected his office shall become va- 
cant from the time of such removal. Justices of the peace shall be commissioned by the 
governor. The Legislature shall have power to provide for the appointment of an addi- 
tional number of justices of the peace in incorporated towns. 

The General Assembly, which convened after the adoption of the 
constitution in 1835, passed an act establishing a supreme court with the 
same jurisdiction it had previously possessed ; also chancery, circuit and 
county courts. The State was divided into three chancery divisions, for 
each of which a chancellor was appointed. These divisions were in turn 
divided into chancery districts, there being nine in East Tennessee, fif- 
teen in Middle Tennessee and six in West Tennessee. Chancery courts,, 
however, were not held in many of the counties until several years after 
the passage of this act. 

The circuit courts were made courts of general jurisdiction, and were 
given exclusive jurisdiction in all cases triable by jury, both criminal 
and civil, which had previously come before the county court. The State 
was divided into eleven judicial circuits as follows: First Circuit, Greene, 
Washington, Sullivan, Johnson, Hawkins, Grainger and Claiborne Coun- 
ties. Second, Cooke, Jefferson, Sevier, Blount, Knox, Campbell, Anderson 
and Morgan. Third, Roane, Rhea, Meigs, Bledsoe, Marion, Hamilton,. 
McMinn and Monroe. Fourth, Smith, Overton, White, Jackson, Fentress 
and Warren. Fifth, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Coffee and Franklin. 
Sixth, Williamson, Davidson and Sumner. Seventh, Dickson, Hickman 
Humphreys, Stewart, Montgomery and Robertson. Eighth, Lincoln, 
Giles, Maury and Lawrence. Ninth, Henry, Weakley, Obion, Dyer, Gib- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 377 

son, Carroll and Benton. Tenth, Perry, Henderson, Madison, Haywood 
Tipton and Lauderdale. Eleventh, Shelby, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy, 
Hardin and Wayne. County courts were established to be held by all 
the magistrates in the county, but one-third of them were made a quo- 
rum to transact all business except the levying of taxes and the appro- 
priating of sums amounting to more than ^50. The same jurisdiction 
was given to the single justice that he had previously exercised. 

In 1837 three new judicial circuits were established, the Twelfth con- 
sisting of Cocke, Sevier, Jefferson, Grainger, Claiborne and Campbell; 
the Thirteenth, of Warren, Lincoln, Franklin and Coffee; and the Four- 
teenth of Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, Perry, Carroll and Benton. At the 
same time the counties of Monroe and Eoane were attached to the Second 
Circuit. In 1843 criminal courts were established in Shelby and David- 
son Counties, and were given exclusive jurisdiction over all crimes and 
misdemeanors. Similar courts were established in Montgomery, Ruther- 
ford and Wilson Counties in 1848. Sections 3 and 5 of Article YI of 
the constitution were amended to road as follows: 

Sec. 3. The judges of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the qualified voters of 
the State at large, and the judges of such inferior courts as the Legislature may establish 
shall be elected by the qualified voters residing within the bounds of any district or circuit 
to which such inferior judge, or judges, either of law or equity may be assigned, by ballot, 
in the same manner that members of the General Assembly are elected. Courts may be 
established to be holden by Justices of the Peace. Judges of the Supreme Court shall 
be thirty-five years of age, and shall be elected for the term of eight years. 

Sec. 5. An Attorney-General for the State shall be elected by the qualified voters of 
the State at large, and the Attorney for the State, for any circuit or district to which a judge 
of an inferior court may be assigned, shall be elected by the qualified voters within the 
bounds of such district or circuit in the same manner that members of the General 
Assembly are elected ; all said attorneys, both for the State and circuit or district, shall 
hold their ofiices for the term of six years. In all cases where the attorney for any dis- 
trict fails or refuses to attend and prosecute according to law, the court shall have power 
to appoint an attorney pro tempore 

Upon the reorganization of the supreme court in 1835, William B. 
Tui-ley, William B. Reese and Nathan Green were elected judges, all of 
whom had resigned previous to the adoption of tlie above amendment, 
Judge Reese in 1848, Turley in 1850, and Green in 1852. Their places 
were supplied by the election of Robert J. McKinney, A. W. O. Totten 
and Robert L. Caruthers. At the election in 1853, these men were all 
re-elected by the people. Judge Totten resigned two years later and 
William R. Harris was elected to succeed him. The latter continued to 
hold the office until his death on June 19, 1858, when Archibald Wright 
was chosen to fill the vacancy. " In 1861 Judge Caruthers resigned, and 
was succeeded by William F. Cooper. During the civil war no term of 
this court was held, and nearly all of the inferior courts were also sus- 



378 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

pended. At the close of hostilities Gov. Brownlow declared the supreme^ 
bench vacant and appointed Samuel Milligan, J. O. Shackleford and 
Alvin Hawkins as judges. In 1867 Judge Shackleford resigned, but dur- 
ing the following year was reappointed, Horace H. Harrison having 
held the office during the interim. During 1868 both Hawkins and Mil- 
lio-an presented their resignations, and their places were filled by the 
appointment of Henry G. Smith and George Andrews. In May of the 
next year there was an election by the people under the restricted suffra- 
ges which then prevailed, and George Andrews, Andrew McLain and 
Alvin Hawkins were chosen judges. 

The new constitution of 1870 made but little change in the judicial 
system, except to increase the number of judges of the supreme court, 
to five ; a large number of cases had accumulated, owing to the immense 
amount of litigation immediately following the war ; and to expedite bus- 
iness, it was provided, that at the first election six judges should be 
chosen, and that they should be divided into two sections, who should 
hold court simultaneously in the same division of the State. It was fur- 
ther provided, should any vacancy occur after January 1, 1873, it should 
remain unfilled. An election was held in August, 1870, at which the 
judges chosen were Alfred O. P. Nicholson, James W. Deaderick, Peter 
Turney, Thomas A. K. Nelson, John L. T. Sneed, and Thomas J. Free- 
man. The first named was chosen chief justice, which position he held 
until his death, in 1876, when James AY. Deaderick, the present incum- 
bent, succeeded him. In 1871 Judge Nelson resigned and was suc- 
ceeded by Eobert McFarland. At the election in August, 1878, all of 
the judges then on the bench were re-elected, with the exception of J. L. 
T. Sneed, whose place was filled by William F. Cooper. The large 
number of cases coming before the supreme court impelled the Legis- 
lature, in 1875, to pass an act providing for the appointment of a special 
commission, to try causes referred to them, upon the written agreement 
of all the parties to the suit, or of their attorneys. Their decisions were 
made final, but were submitted to the supreme court for approval. 
This commission was appointed to sit for a few months only, at Jackson 
and Memphis. By a similar act passed two years later, two commissions 
were appointed, one to sit at Nashville, and the other at Jackson, from 
May until December of that year. In 1883 a court of referees was es- 
tablished for each of the three grand divisions of the State, to hear civil 
causes, and to present a statement of each to the supreme court for a 
final decision, privilege being given to either party to the suit, disi^atis- 
fied with the decree of the referees, to file objection to it. The judges 
appointed for Middle Tennessee were W. L. Eakin, W. C. Caldwell and 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. ' 379 

John Tinnon; for East Tennessee, John Frizzell, John L. T. Sneed and 
B. T. Kirkpatrick ; for West Tennessee, D. A. Snodgrass, John Bright 
and John E. Garner. Judge Garner resigned in July, 1883 and was suc- 
ceeded by E. L. Gardenhire. The court of referees for the eastern and 
western divisions of the State expired by limitation January 1, 1885, 
and the one for Middle Tennessee, April 30, 1886. The present su- 
preme court consists of the following judges: James W. Deaderick, 
Peter Turney, Thomas J. Freeman, W. F. Cooper and J, B. Cooke. 

In many of the States within the past few years, the distinction be- 
tween law and equity courts has been abolished, and equity jurisdiction 
given to the law courts. The same has been done in Tennessee, to some 
extent, with this difference, that law jurisdiction has been given to equity 
courts. In 1877 an act was passed conferring upon the chancery court 
concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court of all civil cases, except 
for injuries to person, property or character, involving unliquidated 
damages. A large number of suits are, therefore, brought in the chan- 
cery court, since upon appeal they are tried de novo by the supreme 
court. In 1870 the State was divided into twelve chancery districts, for 
each of which a chancellor is elected. Several special courts, probate, 
criminal and others, have been established to meet the wants of towns, 
and the more populous counties. In 1870 the law court of Nashville was 
established to have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court of 
Davidson County, and to be held quarterly. It continued until 1877, 
when it was abolished. 

The jurisdiction of the circuit courts has not been materially changed 
since the adoption of the constitution of 1834; but owing to the creation 
of new counties, the judicial circuits have been subject to frequent 
alterations. As now constituted they are as follows : First Circuit — Carter, 
Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. 
Second Circuit — Claiborne, Campbell, Grainger, Union, Hamblen, Jef- 
ferson, Cocke, Anderson and Sevier. Third Circuit — Blount, Monroe, Lou- 
don, Roane, Morgan and Scott. Fourth Circuit — Bradley, Polk, Meigs, 
Pihea, Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Marion, Hamilton, McMinn and James. Fifth 
Circuit — Pickett, Fentress, Cumberland, Putnam, Overton, Clay, Jackson, 
Smith, Macon and Trousdale. Sixth Circuit — Van Buren, Grundy, Frank- 
lin, Coffee, Warren, Moore, Lincoln, De Kalb and White. Seventh Cir- 
cuit — Davidson, Williamson and Cheatham. Eighth Circuit — Wilson, 
Rutherford, Cannon, Bedford and Marshal. Ninth Circuit — Maury, Giles, 
Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, Lewis and Hickman. Tenth Circuit — Sumner, 
Robertson, Montgomery, Stewart, Houston, Dickson and Humphreys. 
Eleventh Circuit— McNairy, Chester, Madison, Henderson, Decatur and 



380 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Perry. Twelfth Circuit — Obion, Weakley, Henry, Carroll, Gibson, Crock- 
ett, Haywood and Benton, Thirteenth Circuit — Hardeman, Fayette, Tip- 
ton, Lauderdale, Dyer and Lake. Shelby County constitutes the Four- 
teenth Circuit ; it also has a criminal court. Knox County has a criminal 
court, the judge of which presides over the circuit court of that county. 
Davidson and Rutherford, each have a criminal court; but both are pre- 
sided over by the same judge. Montgomery County also has a criminal 
court. 

By the act of 1885, the State is also divided into eleven chancery divis- 
ions as follows: First — Johnson, Carter, Washington, Sullivan, Hawkins, 
Greene, Hancock, Claiborne, Jefferson, Cocke, Hamblen, Unicoi and 
G-rainger. Second — Knox, Campbell, Sevier, Union, Anderson, Blount, 
Eoane, Loudon, Morgan, Scott. Third — Bradley, Polk, Rhea, Marion, 
McMinn, Hamilton, Monroe, Meigs, Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Van Buren, 
Coffee, Grundy. Fourth — -Warren, Cannon, Rutherford, Bedford, Frank- 
lin, Lincoln, Moore and Marshall. Fifth— -Cumberland, Fentress, Pickett, 
Overton, Clay, Jackson, Putnam, White, De Kalb, Smith and Macon. 
Sixth — Davidson, Williamson. Seventh — Maury, Giles, Lawrence, Lewis, 
Wayne, Hickman, Hardin, Perry, Decatur, Dickson, Benton. Eiglith — 
Sumner, Robertson, Montgomery, Wilson, Stewart, Houston, Cheatham, 
Humphreys and Trousdale. Ninth — Hardin, McNairy, Chester, Madi- 
son, Crockett, Henderson, Carroll and Henry. Tenth — Fayette, Tipton, 
Haywood, Lauderdale, Dyer, Obion, Weakley, Gibson. Eleventh — 
Shelby. 

The act creating Tennessee a judicial district was passed by the Fifth 
Congress, and was approved January 31, 1797. The first session of the 
court was ordered to be held at Nashville, on the first Monday of the fol- 
lowing April, and thereafter, quarterly, at Knoxville and Nashville, alter- 
nately. For some reason the court was not organized until July. The 
following is the first entry in the records of this court: " Be it remem- 
bered that on the third day of July, 1797, a commission from the Presi- 
dent of the United States, and under seal thereof, directed to John 
McNairy, Esq., to be judge of the court of the United States for the 
district of Tennessee, bearing date the twentieth of February, 1797, was 
produced and read, whereupon Archibald Roane, a judge of the superior 
court of law and equity, in and for the State of Tennessee, administered 
to the said John McNairy the oath to support the Constitution of the 
United States and the oath of office." Robert Hays produced his com- 
mission as marshal and qualified, giving James White and Willie Blount 
as his securities; Thomas Gray, qualified as United States Attorney, and 
appointed Henry Brazeale his deputy. Randal McGavock was appointed 




FflOIII PHOTO Br THUSS KDCLLCIH & GlERSmSmiUl 



Felix Grundy 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 381 

clerk of the court. No other business was transacted at this session 
except to admit W. C. C. Claiborne to practice, and nothing more was 
done except to open and adjourn the court until April, 1798, at which 
time the following grand jury was empaneled: Daniel Smith, foreman; 
Joel Eice, Thomas James, Abram Maury, John Nichols, John Hoggatt, 
William Turnbull, John Donelson, Thomas Smith, George Ridley, 
Edmund Gamble, John Childress, Sr., Alexander E wing, James Mulher- 
rin, and Jones Manifee. The jury brought in bills of indictment against 
Robert Trimble and Archibald Lackey for entering the Cherokee coun- 
try without obtaining a pass. They were tried at the October term and 
fined $25 and $10, respectively. In 1801 Tennessee was divided into 
two districts, and at the same time the Sixth Judicial Circuit was estab- 
lished to consist of the districts of East and West Tennessee, Kentucky 
and Ohio. The court was made to consist of one circuit judge, and the 
judges of the districts of Kentucky and Tennessee, two of whom consti- 
tuted a quorum. The first session of this court was begun and held at 
Nashville, April 20, 1802. James Robertson administered the oath of 
office to Henry Innis, of Kentucky, and John McNairy, of Tennessee, as 
judges of the circuit court. Robert Hays qualified as marshal, and 
Randal McGavock, as clerk. At the October term William McClung was 
admitted as judge of the circuit court and presiding judge. The act of 
1802 was repealed in 1807, and the Seventh Circuit, embracing Ohio, 
Kentucky and Tennessee, was established. The court convened June 13, 
1808, Thomas Todd, associate justice, and John McNairy, district judge, 
being present. Robert Searcy was elected clerk, and John Childress 
qualified as marshal. But little business of importance was transacted 
by this court for several years. In 1827 Judge Todd was succeeded by 
Robert Trimble as associate justice. 

John McNairy continued judge of the district of Tennessee until 
1834, when he was succeeded by Morgan W. Brown, who held the office 
until 1853. In 1838 an act was passed requiring a session of the dis- 
trict court to be held at Jackson in September of each year. The fol- 
lowing year the territory west of the Tennessee River was constituted a 
separate district. One judge continued to preside over the courts of the 
three districts of the State until 1877, when E. S. Hammond was appointed 
judge for the district of West Tennessee. In 1853 West H. Humphreys 
"vyas appointed district judge for Tennessee by President Pierce. He 
continued to hold the office until 1861, when he accepted a commission as 
judge under the Confederate Government. He was then convicted on a trial 
of impeachment by the United States Senate, and Connolly F. Trigg was 
appointed to succeed him. No session of the district court was held at 

24 



382 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Nashville fi-om April, 1861, until June 3, 1862. The following is in the- 
records at the opening of the court on that day: "Be it remembered 
that on the third day of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the Dis- 
trict Court of the United States for the district of Middle Tennessee, was 
opened for the transaction of business. Present, the Hon. John Catron, 
associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, assigned to 
hold court in the Eighth Circuit, and authorized by law to hold the United 
States District Court for this district in the absence of the district judge. 
Present, also, H. H. Harrison, clerk, and E. R. Glasscock, marshal." At 
the March term, 1863, it was ordered by the court that no attorney be 
allowed to practice who had not taken the oath to support the constitu- 
tion, since the restoration of Federal authority in the district. Accord- 
ingly several attorneys appeared and took the oath. During the three or 
four years following the attention of the court was chiefly occupied 
with cases of conspiracy and confiscation. On July 15, 1862, an act was 
passed increasing the number of associate justices of the United States 
Supreme Court, v/hich also increased the number of judicial circuits, 
the States of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee being 
constituted the Sixth Circuit. In 1866 the circuits were again changed, 
and Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee have since formed the 
Sixth Circuit. H. H. Emmons was appointed circuit judge in 1869, and 
continued in the ojB&ce until 1877, when he was succeeded by John Baxter. 
Judge Baxter died in April, 1886, and was succeeded by Howell E. 
Jackson. 

The bench and bar of Tennessee have always been able to challenge 
comparison with that of any other State in the Union in point of ability, 
and especially was this true during the early part of the present century. 
The data for the characterization of some of the most eminent lawyers 
and jurists has been obtained from personal recollection and from various 
publications. Of those who were identified with the courts while they 
were yet under the authority of North Carolina, and later under the 
Territorial government, none occupied a higher position in the estima- 
tion of the people than Col. David Campbell, who, it has been said, "left 
the savor of a good name wherever he was known." For some twenty- 
five years of his life, he was in the public service, either as judge or 
legislator, and was ever distinguished for his wise council, and sound 
judgment. He was a judge of the superior court under the authority of 
North Carolina, both before and after the existence of the State of 
Franklin, under which he also held the same position. In the spring of 
1790 he was appointed Territorial judge by the President, which office 
he held until the organization of the State. Upon the resignation of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 383 

"W. C. C. Claiborne, a judge of the superior court in 1797, he was ap- 
pointed to fill the vacancy, and continued on the bench until the abolition 
of the court. He was soon after made one of the judges of the Missis- 
sippi Territory, and died in the fall of 1812. Associated with him upon 
the bench of the Superior Court of North Carolina, and also as a Terri- 
torial judge, was John McNairy, a man some years his junior, but not his 
inferior in point of ability. Judge McNairy organized the first superior 
court west of the Cumberland Mountains, and on his journeys through 
the wilderness from Jonesboro to Nashville he had several narrow escapes 
from the Indians, and on one occasion lost his horses, camp equipage 
and clothing. He continued upon the bench of the superior court after 
the organization of the State for about a year, when he was appointed 
district judge of the Federal courts for Tennessee, which office he held 
until 1834. He died three years later at an advanced age, having served 
upon the bench for the extraordinary period of forty-six years. His 
whole judicial service was distinguished by a disregard of persons and 
parties, and an unswerving devotion to truth and justice. The following 
epitaph, written by his nephew, is very appropriate : 

In council wise, of artless mind, 
♦ E'er honest he and passing kind; 

Fair Peace through life her smiles did lend; 
None knew but loved this gentle friend. 

Accompanying Judge McNairy on his first trip to hold court at Nash- 
ville in 1788 was a young man just entering upon the practice of law, 
and who subscribed himself A. Jackson.* It proved to be a most oppor- 
tune arrival for the young advocate, as his peculiar talents were in de- 
mand at that time. "The only licensed lawyer in West Tennessee being 
engaged in the service of the debtors, who, it seems, made common cause 
against their common enemy, the creditors, f" Attorney Jackson was 
made public prosecutor, and immediately secured a large patronage from 
the creditor class, whose rights he fearlessly championed. He continued 
the practice of his profession without interruption until the organization 
of the State, after which he was almost continuously in the public service 
until the close of his presidential term. He was upon the bench of the 
supreme court for a period of six years, but neither as a lawyer nor as a 
jurist can he be said to have exhibited any great ability, although there is 

*Previou3 to the appointment of fohn McNairy to be judge of the superior court, the office, in 1784, 
as stated by Haywood, was tendered to a " young man of the age of twenty-four years." Putnam, in his history 
of IMiddle Tennessee, page 235, quotes the passage referred to and adds: "This same 'young man' advanced in 
years, increased in qualifications, attained to honors and office, until he received for eight consecutive years 
from the people of the United States and the national treasury a salary of twenty-five thousand dollars per an- 
num. Such was the career of Judge Jackson, the ' young man,' and Gen. Jackson, hero of New Orleans and 
President of the United States." As Gen. Jackson was born in 1767, at the time the appointment to the office 
was made he was only seventeen years of age, which would clearly indicate that Putnam was mistaken as to 
the identity of the " young man. " 

tParton's Life of Jackson. 



384 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

little doubt that, had lie chosen to devote himself to the study of his pro- 
fession with the unremitting diligence • necessary to the acquisition of 
deep and varied legal knowledge, he might have attained very high rank. 
His temper, however, was too fiery and impetuous and his inclination to 
an over-hasty avowal of expressions, which had not solidified into opin- 
ions, too great to have secured for him the reputation of a sound and im- 
partial judge. Gen. Jackson and Judge McNairy were closely associated 
for many years, but the removal of Gen. Robertson from the Chickasaw 
agency tlirough the influence of the latter, produced a breach between 
them which was never entirely healed. 

John Overton, the successor of Gen. Jackson upon the bench of the 
superior court, was a native of Virginia, where he received his education. 
Before attaining his majority he removed to Kentucky, and there began 
the study of law. After completing his legal education he came to Ten- 
nessee and opened an office at Nashville in 1798. The litigation at that 
time was chiefly concerning the titles to real estate, and the best lawyers 
made that part of their practice a specialty. Judge Overton at once ob- 
tained a large practice, which he held until he was transferred to the 
bench in 1804 "During the protracted period of his service upon the 
bench he delivered many able and luminous opinions, which are yet held 
in high respect in the courts of Tennessee and the adjoining States ; opin 
ions bearing conclusive evidence of deep legal learning, of unsurpassed 
labor and research, and of a vigorous and elastic intellect. Judge Over- 
ton s knowledge of the common law was such as few of his contempo- 
raries had succeeded in acquiring, and his mind seemed to be singularly 
adapted to the disentangling of complex questions of mixed law and fact, 
and to the attainment of sure and satisfactory conclusions by processes 
which ov;ed their effectiveness far more to the exercise of a solid and 
penetrating common sense than to the often misapplied rules of a subtle 
and artificial logic."* After his retirement from the bench in 1816 he 
again entered into the field of litigation, where he continued to add to the 
already high reputation which he had acquired as a judge. 

The successor of Judge Overton was Eobert "Whyte, a native of Scot- 
land, and a very excellent lawyer and judge. He continued to serve up- 
on the bench of the supreme court until the adoption of the new consti- 
tution, in 1831, when he retired from public life. He was a laborious 
and accurate lawyer, and, like most of his countrymen, exceedingly tena- 
cious of his views and opinions. 

George "W. Campbell was an early member of the bar at Nashville, 
and at different times during his long and varied career enjoyed a large 

*Bencli aiul ]!:ir of tho South aud .Southwest. ' 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 385 

and lucrative practice. He was a native of Scotland and possessed all 
the indomitable perseverance of his race. He was reared in poverty, 
and at an early age was thrown upon his own resources by the death of 
his father. By teaching school he worked his way through Princeton 
College, taking the junior and senior courses in one year and yet gradu- 
ating with third honors. He then resumed teaching school in New Jer- 
sey, and meanwhile began the study of law. He completed his legal 
education in North Carolina and soon after located at Knoxville, where 
he immediately took rank with the best lawyers in Tennessee. He was 
not what is usually termed a ready debater, and rarely spoke upon any 
important question without previous preparation. During his brief ca- 
reer upon the bench he exhibited the same untiring diligence which 
characterized him in every other sphere. He removed to Nashville in 
1810 and served as judge qf the supreme court. For about a year after 
his resignation he filled successively the offices of United States senator, 
Secretary of the Treasury and Minister to Russia. 

Parry W. Humphreys was appointed a judge of the superior court in 
1807 and continued to act as such for three years. He was afterward 
elected a member of the XIII Congress, and was also one of the com- 
missioners elected to settle the disputed boundary line between Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee. He was finally appointed by the Legislature to 
be judge of what was then the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which position 
he filled for a period of fifteen years. He is still remembered for the 
courtesy and urbanity of his deportment to the bar and for his incorrupt- 
ible integrity. 

One of the best known and most highly esteemed members of the 
legal profession in East Tennessee during the early times was Pleasant 
M. Miller. He was born and reared in Virginia, but immigrated to Ten- 
nessee in 1796, locating at Rogersville. Four years later he removed to 
Knoxville, where he remained until 182-1, when he again removed, locat- 
ing this time in West Tennessee. He is said to have been a most civil 
and affable gentleman, easy and unaffected in conversation, and a great 
lover of wit. He was consequently a general favorite with other mem- 
bers of the bar, as well as with the public. 

In making mention of the early members of the profession in Ten- 
nessee, the name of Gen. Sam Houston must not be omitted, although 
he never won much distinction at the bar. After the war of 1812 he 
read law for a short time with James Trimble and was admitted to prac- 
tice. His legal knowledge was not very extensive, nor was the profes- 
sion much suited to his taste. He conseqiiently soon abandoned it for 
the more congenial sphere of politics, where his native ability, strong 



38G HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

force of character and fine personal appearance gave him great influence 
with the people. With his entrance into political life his connection 
with the j)rofession ended. 

Of the many illustrious names in the history of the bar of Tennessee 
during the early part of the century none is more conspicuous than that 
of Jeukin Whiteside.* Jenkin Whiteside has come down to the men of 
this generation exclusively as a great land lawyer. No one was more 
familiar than he with all that Coke and Blackstone and the other En- 
glish writers have said in their labored and profoundly reasoned treatises 
upon the laws of real property. No one had mastered more fully than 
himself the principles involved in the doctrine of executory devises and 
contingent remainders. No lawyer of his time could talk more learned- 
ly and luminously upon the celebrated rule in Shelley's case, and he man- 
ifested a steady energy and masterly dexterity in the management of all 
the sharp points and subtle devices that appertain to the trial of actions 
of ejectment, which things gave him many advantages over a sluggish 
and less wily adversary. No man could be more conversant than was 
Jenkin Whiteside with the whole history of land titles in Tennessee, as 
well as with the operations of the land offices both in that State and 
North Carolina — a species of knowledge quite indispensable to success in 
the arduous but profitable vocation in which he had enlisted and upon 
which his attention had been concentrated in a manner rarely exempli- 
fied. He was undoubtedly a man of vigorous understanding, of wonder- 
ful sagacity and acuteness, devoted niuch to money-making, and especial- 
ly delighting in what was known as speculation in uncultivated lands, of 
which he had, in one way and another, at different times accumulated 
laro-e bodies, the titles to which were not rarely involved in troublesome 
and expensive litigation. 

Personally he is described as a man of rough and unimposing ex- 
terior, of awkward and ungainly manners, and had no relish whatever 
for those elegant and refined pursuits which are understood to distin- 
guish polished and aristocratic communities. He was, however, civil 
and unobtrusive in his general demeanor, not deficient in public spirit, 
and of a coarse and unpretending cordiality which made him many 
friends and no enemies. 

Contemporary with this great land lawyer was Felix Grundy, the 
greatest criminal advocate that ever practiced in the courts of Tennessee. 
As a more extended sketch of him is given in another chapter, only a 
brief characterization by Judge Guild is here inserted. "Judge Grundy 
was not what may be called a book man or a book lawyer. To his fine 

•Bench and bar of the South and Southwest. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE, 387 

voice and inimitable action there was added a brilliant intellect, throug-li 
wliicli ran a vein of strong common sense. He was good at repartee, 
and his wit fairly sparkled. He possessed in a marked degree the pow- 
er to arouse and sway the passions of the heart, to excite sympathy or 
indignation, to parry the blows of an adversary, and to carry his point 
by brilliant charge. He was a consummate judge of human nature, and 
this rendered him unrivaled in the selection of a jury. He was unsur- 
passed in developing the facts of a case, and wonderful in the cross-ex- 
amination of a witness introduced against his client. He generally re- 
lied upon his associate council to bring into court the books containino- 
the law of the case on which they were employed, and the law was read 
and commented upon by those associates, and then when Mr. Grundy 
came to close the case, so clear were his deductions, so striking his illustra- 
tions, so systematically would he tear to pieces the superstructure of the op- 
posing council, and so vividly portray the right and justice for which he 
•contended, that all who heard him regarded hiin as the finest lawyer of 
that or any other age. So thoroughly did he carry the crowd with him 
that he may be aptly likened to Paul when he made his great speech be- 
fore King Agrippa, and extorted from that monarch the expression 'al- 
most thou persuadest me to be a Christian.'" 

Another contemporary, in many respects the opposite of Judge 
Grundy, was Hugh Lawson White, a man remarkable alike for his eccen- 
tricities, and for the very high order of his mental and moral endow- 
ments. He had but little taste for general literature, but in all that per- 
tains to his profession he was well versed, and there was no one for 
whom he had greater contempt than for the " case lawyer," except it was 
a mere " case judge." His incorruptible integrity, and his straightfor- 
ward contempt for any advantage obtained from legal quibbles gave him 
so strong a hold upon the esteem and confidence of the community, that 
it would have been difficult to empanel a jury not biased in his favor. 
He was a deep and comprehensive thinker, was remarkable for his powers 
of comparison, had an acute sense of the ludicrous and was a lover of wit. 
His sentences were generally short, and so selected and arranged that 
whatever he said could be readily followed. He was appointed a judge of 
the superior court of law and equity in the fall of 1801, and continued 
on the bench until April, 1807. Two years later he was elected a judge 
of the supreme court of errors and appeals, which office he held until 
December, 1814. While on the bench his intercourse with the members 
of the bar was marked by that kindness and genuine courtesy which 
characterized him in every relation in life. The perspicuity, accuracy 
and uncompromising honesty of his opinions raised him into such high 



388 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

and universal estimation that his final resignation of his seat was re- 
ceived with great regret. 

Another member of this galaxy of brilliant legal minds was, for a 
time, Thomas H. Benton, who removed from the State in 1810. He be- 
gan the practice of law in Franklin, and it is said that from the fij'st he 
was "much fonder of political pursuits than of the study of law books, 
and greatly preferred the making of stump speeches to the argument of 
legal cases." He seems not to have applied himself with diligence to 
his profession, and his practice as a lawyer was never large. But he was 
destined for a broader field of usefulness. Possessed of a commanding 
intellect, of large and liberal culture, industrious, temperate, resolute 
and endowed with a memory whose tenacity was marvelous, he soon 
placed himself in the front rank of those who shaped the councils of the 
nation, and for many years he exercised almost unbounded control over 
the politics of not only his own State but the entire West, where he 
molded public opinion to suit himself. His history, however, belongs 
rather to Missouri than to Tennessee. 

Without doubt the greatest jurist ever upon the bench in Tennessee 
was John Haywood,* who, previous to his coming to the State in 1807, 
had already secured the highest judicial and professional honor in the 
courts of North Carolina. That he was especially adapted to his chosen 
profession is evident from the fact that without the advantages of a 
library, or the benefit of legal tuition in a lawyer's ofiice, he fitted him- 
self for the practice of law, and so thorough was his preparation that 
when at the age of twenty-four years he made his first argument before 
the supreme court, he is said to have displayed as much learning and 
as comprehensive a view of the great landmarks of the law as any argu- 
ment that had ever been made before it. The following characterization 
of him by a contemporary is an eminently correct one: "Judge Haywood 
was a fine genius and a most powerful and unrivaled advocate. In tact 
and eloquence — such eloquence as reaches the heart and convinces the 
judgment — he had no equal in Tennessee. He was often employed vrith 
and against the late Felix Grundy in the most critical criminal cases, and 
it would not be saying too much, perhaps, to say that as an orator he 
was equal if not superior to that distinguished advocate. Both had been 
on the supreme bench of their respective States, and both came to Ten- 
nessee preceded by the most brilliant reputations. Both were men of 
great learning and attainments, but in all the learning which pertained to 
his profession Judge Haywood stood far in advance of his great rival. 
He possessed inexhaustible stores of imagination ; was quick and ready 

♦The publishers designed to h.ave the portrait of Judge Haywood appear in this worlc, but notwith- 
UtandiDg wide inquiries were made, no likeness of him of any description could be found.— Ed. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 389 

in argument, and prompt in reply. But withal his judgment was too 
much under the dominion o£ imaginative faculty, which gave to some of 
his opinions too great an air of eccentricity and uncertainty. He had 
many sympathies in common with his fellow-men, and highly cherished 
their good opinion, particularly of his own fame. He was ambitious in 
the highest degree, somewhat overbearing in his desire to be considered 
'the court,' and perhaps thought too highly of his owti and too little of 
his brother judges' opinions, and felt that he was the master-spirit in the 
settlement and determination of all leading questions of jurisprudence, 
I do not think I should do him injustice if I should say he never deliv- 
ered an opinion without desiring the presence of a large audience." 

Associated with Judge Haywood for a time, upon the bench of the 
supreme court of Tennessee, was William L. Brown, a man possessing 
many traits of character in common with that eminent jurist. He began 
the practice of his profession in Clarksville, Tenn., but considering that 
field too narrow for his abilities he removed to Nashville. He was ambi- 
tious in the highest degree, and his tenacity of purpose was such that no 
difficulty, however great, could deter him from an undertaking. His 
knowledge of the law was such as few men succeed in acquiring, and his 
scholarly attainments, although not so extensive, were yet respectable. 
Gov. Foote says of him: "A man of a more fervid and insatiable ambi- 
tion has never lived, though the purity and elevation of his nature effect- 
ually held him from all those low and debasing arts by which a mere- 
tricious fame is so often acquired. A legitimate and honest celebrity he 
sought for with all the earnestness of a zealous and hopeful tempera- 
ment; he toiled for it with exhaustless assiduity. He meditated upon 
the means by which it was to be realized through many an anxious day 
and many a restless night. He seemed to have been born with an indom- 
itable confidence in his own capacity for self -advancement, and his ulti- 
mate realization of a splendid destiny commensurate with his aspirations 
and indispensable to his earthly happiness." In 1822 he was appointed 
a judge of the siipreme court, but remained upon the bench only two 
years. The duties of the office were distasteful to him, and he preferred 
the excitement of the advocate rather than the calm dignity of the judge. 
The chief cause of his resignation, however, is said to have been that 
"he was not content to occupy a place where the overshadowing influence 
of Judge Haywood's long established fame necessarily held him in sec- 
ondary dignity." His retirement was a subject of universal regret. 

In striking contrast with this remarkable man was his successor, John 
Catron, a man as "simple minded and as simple mannered as a child." 
Yet with all his innocence and generous simplicity he had a mind of 



390 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

wonderful vigor and acuteness, and his powers of judicial analysis have 
rarely been excelled. His capacity for labor was enormous, and his 
incorruptible integrity as a judge was never questioned. Born of 
obscure parentage and reared in poverty his early education was some- 
what limited, and he was never able in later years to entirely supply its 
deficiency. He began his legal career in the town of Sparta, where he 
soon gained a reputation for ability, but like many other ambitious young 
men he longed for a broader field of activity, and accordingly, in a short 
time, removed to Nashville, . where his superior talents in a few years 
elevated him to the highest judicial position in the State. He remained 
on the bench of the supreme court until the change of the judicial sys- 
tem by the constitution of 1834:, when he again resumed the practice of 
his profession. President Jackson, on the last day of his second term, 
appointed him as a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, 
which office he held until his death, a period of more than thirty years. 

Henry Crabb, the successor of Judge Haywood upon the bench of 
the supreme court, was for many years a member of the Nashville bar, 
and a rival of William L. Brown, in opposition to wliom he often ap- 
peared in the most important cases. He was a well-balanced, dignified, 
imperturbable, polished gentleman, of more than ordinary talents and of 
considerable learning. He had a decided advantage over his more ex- 
citable rival whenever they were thrown into professional antagonism. 
His calm self-possession, quiet sarcasm, and half-concealed raillery so 
excited the feelings of his adversary that on more than one occasion an 
appeal to "the code" seemed imminent. The opinions delivered by him 
during the brief period that he occupied his seat upon the bench show 
him to have possessed a thoroughly judicial mind. Cave Johnson, a 
sketch of whom appears in another chapter, was for many years a prac- 
titioner of law, and accumulated a handsome fortune by his energy, 
shrewdness and practical intelligence. He was always a persuasive, ear- 
nest and eloquent speaker, and thoroughly skilled in debate, but for some 
thirty years of his life he was too deeply immersed in politics to achieve 
the highest distinction in his profession. 

William E. Anderson, who came to Nashville about 1825, was a man 
who attracted universal attention, not only on account of his gigantic 
stature, but from his otherwise commanding appearance. His distin- 
guishing characteristic was strength, both physical and mental. He was 
not, however, a very diligent student, and was somewhat inclined to ex- 
cessive self-indulgence and conviviality. He stood high at the bar and 
his services were eagerly sought, but he was too negligent in the prepar- 
ation of his cases to be a truly successful lawyer. He was for a time a 



HISTOBY OF TENNESSEE. 391 

judge of the circuit court, aud removed to Mississippi about 1845. Sev- 
eral other members of the profession of this period possessed scarcely 
less ability than those already noticed, but perhaps through force of cir- 
cumstance or lack of ambition did not attain the eminent distinction 
accorded to their more fortunate contemporaries. In this class may be 
mentioned James Trimble, who practiced his profession in Knoxville and 
Nashville for nearly twenty years, and for a time was upon the bench of 
the circuit court. He was well acquainted with all that pertained to his 
profession, and was also a thorough student of general literature. In his 
law cases he was laborious, and was indefatigable in his efforts for his 
clients. His style of speaking was conversational, but the zeal and interest 
which was manifested by the tone of his voice and the flash of his eye 
carried conviction to the minds of a jury. His energy, however, proved 
too much for his strength, and while yet in the prime of life he died 
from the efPects of overwork. 

Another talented member of the profession at this time who was cut 
off in early manhood was John Dickinson. Born and educated in Mas- 
sachusetts he came to Nashville a young man, and while serving as 
deputy clerk of the United States Court prosecuted the study of law. His 
energy and industry soon qualified him for his profession, in which he 
soon rose to distinction and took his place by the side of the ablest advo- 
cates of the time. He was faithful to his business, and manifested the 
most unswerving honesty in all his dealings. He was one of the able 
land lawyers of his day, and acquired a large and remunerative practice. 
Had a longer life been granted him it is doubtful if his fame would have 
been circumscribed by the narrow limits of the State. 

"Toward the close of the la^t century a very worthy Dutch family was 
residing in the town of Lebanon, Tenn., now so celebrated for its institu- 
tion of learning and specially for its law school. The Terger mansion is 
still standing and in a comfortable state of preservation. In this house 
were born eight worthy gentlemen, all brothers, and all but one of them 
practitioners of law."* None of the brothers remained permanently in 
Tennessee, but at least two of them won high reputations before remov- 
ing from the State. George S. Terger, the eldest brother, officiated for 
some years as reporter of the judicial decisions of the Supreme Court of 
Tennessee, at first alone and afterward with his younger brother. His 
early education was somewhat limited, but this deficiency was more than 
supplied by his great store of legal knowledge, which, although it had 
been obtained in a somewhat irregular manner, was thoroughly digested 
and ready for use at any moment it might be wished. He possessed in- 

*Bench and Bar of the South and Southwest. 



392 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

tellectual faculties of a high order, was kind and generous in all his im- 
pulses, and was alike "devoid of envy, of low selfishness, of narrow and ir- 
rational prejudices and of overweening ambition." He moved to Missis- 
sippi in 1839, and in the courts of that State he succeeded in maintaining 
his high reputation unimpaired to the end of his life. J. S. Terger pos- 
sessed many qualities of mind in common Avith his elder brother, but was 
perhaps of a more sociable disposition, and possessed conversational pow- 
ers of a most entertaining and instructive order. He was widely read, 
and his general education was thorough and complete. He was a good 
judge of both men and their motives of action, and consequently was un- 
surpassed in the selection of a jury. He, too, removed to Mississippi, 
where he became eminent both as a judge and an advocate. 

Thomas H. Fletcher began life as a merchant, but becoming in- 
volved financially during the crisis of 1818-19, he was led to the study 
of law, and soon came to be recognized as one of the leading members of 
the bar. "Although he had a large and general practice, he stood pre-em- 
inently high as a criminal advocate, and possessed all the requirements 
for success in that special forensic field. A good judge of human nature, 
knowing its strong and its weak side, he selected his jury with great dis- 
crimination, and having a heart as tender as a woman's his feelings were 
naturally with his clients in their distress, and he always made their • 
cause his own. There have been great criminal lawyers in Tennessee, 
but few his equal and none his superior. His voice was clear and strong, 
his manner earnest and excited but never rude and boisterous ; pathetic or 
humorous as the occasion suggested, he always spoke with good taste 
and made perhaps fewer failures than almost any other lawyer at the 
bar. He was very popular with the profession, especially among the 
younger lawyers, whom he always treated with the utmost kindness and 
courtesy. His reading was extensive, and not confined to professional 
works, and often beguiled his leisure hours in composition for the news- 
papers on the ephemeral subjects of the day. There was in his manner 
no rudeness, in his speech no coarseness or invective, and his sympathy 
for the misfortunes of his fellow-men was unbounded."* His death, 
which occurred from apoplexy brought on by over-exertion, was the sub- 
ject of universal regret. 

Jacob Peck, for twelve years a judge of the supreme court of errors 
and appeals, and at the time of his death one of the oldest attorneys 
in the State, was licensed to practice in 1808. He was a native of Vir- 
ginia, but removed to Tennessee at a very early period of his life. He 
was a man of varied talents and extensive knowledge, and his genius was 

*John M. Lea in Nashville Banner. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 393 

of a high order. He had an especial fondness for painting, poetry, and 
music, and also took much delight in the study of zoology and mineral- 
ogy, in which sciences he was' looked upon as an authority, 

Edward Scott, who presided on the bench of the Knoxville Circuit 
for nearly thirty years, was a man of great eccentricities, and many amus- 
ing stories are told of him. He was a native af Virginia, but came at an 
early day to Tennessee. He was a hard student of text-books and re- 
ports, but failed to get down to the broad, underlying principles of the 
law, and was consequently looked upon as a case lawyer. While on the 
bench, he administered the Jaw as he remembered it, and seldom threw 
himself upon his own mental resources. He was never partial to young 
lawyers either in manner or speech, but was frequently rude and uncivil 
though he was a man of kindness and tender sensibilities. In 1820 he 
published his revisal of the laws of Tennessee in two large volumes. 
This served the lawyers and judges of the State for their principal refer- 
ei]ce until the compilation of Caruthers & Nicholson was published in 
1888. 

Pryor Lea was a prominent member of the early bar of East Tennes- 
see. He was a native of Grainger County, and attended Blount College 
while under the presidency of Samuel Carrick. He was an indefatigable 
student, and at the bar his forte was special pleading. He removed to 
Mississippi about 183G or 1837, and later wen^; to Texas, where he re- 
cently died at a very advanced age. 

Col. John Williams was one of the pioneer lawyers of East Tennes- 
see, but his career as a politician eclipsed his legal career. He served as 
a member of the General Assembly, as a United States Senator, and was 
sent as minister to Guatemala by President Adams. He was a brother 
of Thomas L. Williams, who rather excelled him as a lawyer. He was 
most courtly and fascinating in his manners, and although not an elo- 
quent speaker, possessed a wonderful personal magnetism. 

If it be possible to divide the history of the legal profession in Ten- 
nessee into eras, it may be said that the reorganization of the • courts in 
183-1 marks the beginning of a new era. At that time those intellectual 
giants Whiteside, Grundy, Haywood, White and others, around whom 
the events of the first two or three decades of the century cluster, had 
almost without exception retired from practice or had been removed to the 
higher courts above. But as they disappeared, one by one, their places 
were filled by men of scarcely less ability and renown. The new supreme 
court was organized with Nathan Green, William B. Reese and William 
B. Turley, as judges, and it is doubtful if the bench of that court has ever 
been filled by men of more uniformly distinguished ability. Judge 



394 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Green was a native of Virginia. He possessed but few advantages of 
education, but with a strong will, a vigorous intellect and an eager thirst 
for distinction, he soon placed himself upon a level with those who had 
been favored by higher opportunities. He began his career as a lawyer 
in the Mountain District where he soon took a prominent stand among 
the members of the bar. In his practice he preferred the chancery de- 
partment, and loved especially to deal with the great and broad principles 
of the law. For nearly a quarter of a century he occupied a place upon 
the bench, and was ever distinguished for his amenity and courtesy, his 
learning and ability, his truth and integrity. His opinions do not abound 
with' brilliant passages like some of Judge Turley's, nor are they marked 
by the pure and elegant though somewhat involved style of Judge Reese, 
but are always clear and discriminating and logical. Personally he is 
described as a man of majestic stature, of a highly commanding aspect, 
and of sedate and gentlemanly manners. After his retirement from the 
bench he was associated with Judge Caruthers as professor of the law 
department of Cumberland County, at Lebanon. Judge Reese was a man 
of unquestioned uprightness, and of the most ample legal attainments. 
His general scholarship and literary culture probably excelled that of 
either of his colleagues. His style as exhibited in his opinions is marked by 
elegance, and is in full keeping with his excellence of reasoning. He was 
eminently qualified by nature and education for the duties of the bench. 
" An impartiality that knew no bias, an inborn love of justice that experi- 
enced no abatement, an almost instinctive per^ception of the truth joined to 
< his profound knowledge of the law, his patience and industry in research, 
his enlargement of mind by a general and varied learning, his solidity of 
judgment, combined to make him one of the first judges that Tennessee 
has yet produced;" as an attorney he possessed scarcely less ability. His 
care in the preparation of cases, his logical reasoning and terrible sar- 
casm, and his thorough acquaintance with legal science, made him a for- 
midable adversary to even the distiguished men who adorned the bar 
of East Tennessee when he practiced in her courts. 

William B. Turley was at one time, a member of the Clarksville bar, 
where he laid the foundations for a brilliant career. Previous to his eleva- 
tion to the supreme bench he served for many years as a judge of the circuit 
court, where he was distinguished for an uncommon facility in the dis- 
patch of business. He brought to the discharge of his duties an enlight- 
ened mind, well stored with legal knowledge, and his temper, without 
being imperious or irascible, was firm and decided. His opinions are 
distinguished for their perspicuity, polished language and exact and log- 
ical reasoning. He was an industrious student, very fond of reading, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 395 

extensively iuformed aud had a memory of wonderful tenacity; but he 
was not remarkable for close and persevering application to business. 
After his retirement from the supreme court, in 1850, he was judge of 
the common law and chancery court of Memphis until his death about 
eighteen months later. 

The bar of East Tennessee has always been distinguished for its su- 
perior ability, but of the long list of illustrious names engraven in its 
temple of fame, none occupy a higher position than that of Robert J. 
McKinney, the successor of Judge Reese. He was a native of Ireland, 
but spent the greater part of his life in Tennessee. His arguments at 
the bar were always remarkable for their logical force and precision, 
their freedom from all circumlocution or mere parade of words, and were 
occasionally tinctured with something approaching sarcasm and irony. 
On the bench he was diligent, painstaking and unrelaxing in his labors, 
as his reported opinions so satisfactorily attest. He was accused of being 
occasionally a little too stern and austere in his demeanor toward mem- 
bers of the bar, and was not a little inclined to caution attorneys to avoid 
anything at all approaching a superfluity of illustration. 

Robert Looney Caruthers, the successor of Judge Green, has been 
said, by those who knew him, to have been the best advocate that Ten- 
nessee ever pi'oduced. That he was a most remarkable man is evident 
from the fact that reared in comparative poverty, without influential 
friends, he raised himself by his own efforts to the foremost place in the 
estimation of the people. Although he held several official positions he 
had but little fondness for political life, and it was in the law that he 
found what was most congenial to his taste, and which best occupied his 
great intellect. His marked characteristic as a lawyer was persuasive 
logic, based upon a substratum of common sense. His powers as a de- 
claimer merely were not of the first order. He perhaps despised the 
mere tinsel and glare of what is frequently mistaken for true eloquence. 
Gentle of nature, both in manner and feeling, he preferred to carry 
with him the conviction of the audience by soft and mild leading rather 
than bold assertion and overwhelming dominance. But to attain his 
ends, success in his profession and success in his courses, he never con- 
descended to trickery or unworthy arts of any description. He was labor- 
ious in the preparation of cases ; he trusted nothing to chance or inspira- 
tion; he left down no gaps; he tightened up the loose joints, and always 
came to the battle fully armed and equipped. He had great power of 
labor, which if not genius or talent is yet their neccessary concomitant, 
if success is to follow. But above all things perhaps his most available 
means, especially before juries, was he " knew what was in man," motive, 



396 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

probable action, influence of surroundings, the strength and weakness of 
man, varieties of character, and upon a knowledge of these he built up 
his argument. There is a variety of opinion whether Judge Caruthers 
shone more brilliantly at the bar or on the bench; the opinion is unan- 
imous, however, that he was an able, upright, laborious and conscientious 
expounder of the laws in his official capacity. He brought to the bench 
the same broad common sense, the same effective learning, the same com- 
prehensive mind that had characterized him throughout his previous life ; 
and all through his opinions there is apparent a careful judicial search 
for truth, and a firm determination to uphold the right in morals and 
in law. The last years of his life were spent as the leading professor of 
the law department of Cumberland University, of which he was one of 
the principal founders. 

Archibald W. O. Totten, the successor of Judge Turley, was born in 
Middle Tennessee, but at an early age removed with his father to the 
western division of the State. He studied law, and was admitted to 
practice in Gibson County. His temperate and regular habits, his 
laborious investigations of the cases intrusted to his care, and his fidelity 
to all his professional engagements, secured to him a full and lucrative 
practice, and he rose rapidly to independence and distinction. His 
person was tall, manly and striking ; his manners bland and courteous in 
a high degree, and his general deportment dignified, without stiffness or 
reserve. In the most exciting debates at the bar, he never descended to 
wrangling or lost the serenity of his temper, or the tranquillity of his 
manner. He retired from the supreme bench in August, 1855, and was 
succeeded by William R. Harris, of Memphis. Judge Harris was born 
in North Carolina, but was reared chiefly in Bedford County, Tenn. 
His educational advantages were somewhat meager, but, notwithstanding 
this hindrance, his strong, native talents enabled him to reach high rank 
in his profession. He began the practice of law in Paris, Henry County, 
where, in a few years, he evinced so much ability that he was made 
judge of the circuit court, a position which he held until 1845. Six 
years later he removed to Memphis, where he presided over the com- 
mon law and chancery court until his elevation to the supreme bench. 
As an advocate he was earnest and forcible, and neither in his oral 
or written productions was he ever known to affect mere ornaments 
of speech. In his judicial capacity he was cautious, laborious and 
circumspect in arriving at his conclusions, and inflexible in main- 
taining them. Judge Harris was killed in a steam-boat explosion on 
the Mississippi River in 1858. The vacancy occasioned by his death 
was filled by the appointment of Archibald Wright, also of Memphis, 




FDOM now BT TUm, HOfliEIH i CICRS- mSHIILlC 



James K. Polk 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 397 

' but a native of Maury County. He obtained a fairly good education 
before entering upon his career as a lawyer, which he did in 1832. 
He possessed great capacity for labor, and by sheer strength and 
directness, attention to business and tenacity of purpose, he won his way 
to distinction. During his brief career upon the supreme bench he 
manifested his eminent fitness for that high position. His opinions are 
models of judicial style — clear, forcible, direct, tersely stating the points 
and deciding the matter before him, briefly reaching his conclusions 
without verbiage or over-argumentation. In both his physical and men- 
tal qualities he was a man of striking individuality. He possessed a 
magnificent physique, and a constitution equal to any strain upon its 
powers of endurance. The salient traits of his character were his origi- 
nality, strength and clearness of intellect, tenacity of purpose and indom- 
itable energy. 

These were all the men who occupied a position upon the supreme 
bench previous to the civil war. W. F. Cooper was appointed to succeed 
Robert L. Caruthers in 1861, but the supension of the court prevented 
his taking his seat. It now remains to notice some of the distinguished 
members of the bar during the period from 1834 to 1861. 

One of the most talented men whom Tennessee has given to the 
world was John Bell, whose career as a politician and statesman, how- 
ever, over-towers his reputation as an advocate. As a sketch of his 
life appears elsewhere, only brief mention of him is made in this con- 
nection. He began his career as a lawyer in Williamson County, but 
soon after removed to Nashville and formed a partnership with Judge 
Crabb. Although he entered Congress when he was little more than 
thirty years of age, he had acquired a high standing at the bar as a law- 
yer of great acuteness, research and ability, and as a speaker of no ordi- 
nary merit. 

James K. Polk was a contemporary of Bell, both having been born 
in the same year. The former, not quite so precocious as his rival, did not 
begin the practice of law until about twenty-five years of age, but when 
he did begin he was thoroughly equipped for his forensic struggles. He 
opened an office at Columbia, where almost from the first he occupied a 
front rank in the profession. His naturally strong intellect, disciplined 
by years of study to close and accurate reasoning, together with his 
known moral integrity, made him a most powerful adversary before the 
bar. His early entrance into the field of politics, however, practically 
closed his legal career. 

Ephraim H. Foster, a prominent contemporary of the above, was a 
native of Kentucky, but when a small child came witji his father's family 



398 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

to Tennessee. He receiA'^ed as good an education as the times afforded, 
graduating with the first class matriculated in Cumberland College in 
1813. He then studied law with John Trimble. Very soon after begin- 
ning its practice, his close application to business, together with his 
natural ability and prepossessing appearance, placed him in the front 
rank of his profession. His practice becoming too large for one person, 
he formed a partnership with William L. Brown, with whom he remained 
until the latter' s elevation to the bench of the supreme court. From that 
time until his retirement from practice he was associated with Francis B. 
Fogg. Col. Foster was a fine speaker, but he had by nature a quick and 
violent temper which he did not always control. It is said that on one 
occasion, while arguing a case in which he was greatly interested, he be- 
came angry at some remark made by the judge, and threw a book at 
him. The judge, unmindful of his position, sprang at Col. Foster, with a 
heavy walking stick in his hand, and but for the interference of friends a 
serious difficulty would have been the result. "Peace, however, was restored 
without bloodshed. The offender made the proper apology, paid a heavy 
fine for his rashness, and the honorable but belligerent court adjourned." 
Col. Foster lived in elegant style, and entertained in a princely man- 
ner. This, with his vivacity, wit and brilliant conversation, made him a 
universal favorite in society. During the last twenty years of his life, 
he gave the greater part of his attention to political matters, into which 
he entered with great spirit. He was twice elected to the United States 
senate, the first time in 1837, to fill out the unexpired term of Felix 
Grundy. He was again chosen in 1843, but resigned two years later. 
In 1845 he was the Whig candidate for governor, but was defeated by A. 
V. Brown, by a small majority. He then withdrew from active life, and 
died in 1854. 

Francis B. Fogg, for many years a partner of the above, was a native 
of Connecticut, where he received a thorough literary education, and also 
prepared himself for his chosen profession. He then, in 1818, came to 
Tennessee and located at Columbia, but in less than a year removed to 
Nashville, where he spent the remainder of a long life. "Upon his settle- 
ment in Tennessee he commenced the practice of law which he pursued 
with unremitting diligence for half fe century, until age and disease dis- 
qualified him for labor. It is no disparagement to his many distin- 
guished contemporaries in the profession during that long and eventful 
period to say that he had few rivals and no superiors. His success was 
eminent. He commanded the confidence of the community in a remark- 
able degree. To a mind naturally strong and vigorous he united rare 
industry, and with original scholarship of a high order he was able to 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 399 

amass stores of learning on all subjects. He possessed a wonderful 
memory, by which he could recall cases and incidents that most others 
had forgotten. He was familiar not only with the history of the law, 
but with the history of this and other countries. Mr. Fogg was not 
ambitious for office and never sought promotion, but in 1834 he was, by 
the voluntary action of the community, elected a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention and took a prominent part in its deliberations. In 
1851-52 he was elected to the State Senate from Davidson County and 
aided efficiently in inaugurating the system of internal improvements 
which has done so much for the State." "It is impossible now to tell how 
many of the statutes that adorn our code and measure and regulate the 
rights of persons and property, he was the author of. It was the habit 
of Legislatures to call upon him on all occasions for aid in the preparation 
of bills."* 

No member of the Nashville bar is remembered with a feeling of 
greater kindliness and respect than Josephus C. Guild. Of his early 
professional life he has given many interesting incidents in his "Old 
Times in Tennessee," which are told in his inimitable style. He was a 
man of strong and vigorous intellect, and at the bar, especially before a 
jury, he had but few equals. He was not a student of books nor a fin- 
ished scholar, but was a close observer of human nature and possessed a 
fund of practical knowledge which was always ready for use. As a 
judge he was distinguished for his strong sense of justice and his deep 
love of natural equity, which made suitors feel that their causes would be 
impartially tried. There was also a natural cheerfulness and liveliness 
of his disposition which would crop out even in the midst of the decorum 
of the bench, and a lively sally of wit or a gleam of humor from him 
often brightened the otherwise dull tedium of legal procedure. Judge 
Guild began the practice of law in 1822, in Sumner County, where he 
remained until the close of the civil war. He was three times elected to 
the House of Representatives, and twice to the State Senate, was a presi- 
dential elector for James K. Polk in 1841: and for Franklin Pierce in 
1852; was elected chancellor for the Seventh Chancery Division in I860, 
and in 1870 was made judge of the law court of Nashville, which position 
he held until the abolition of the court in 1878. He died January 8, 
1883, after sixty years of active professional life. 

Bailie Peyton, a contemporary and intimate personal friend of Judge 
Guild, was associated with him in his early practice. He was born in 
Sumner County in 1803. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted to 
the bar, and soon after formed a partnership with Henry A. Wise, a 

♦The above extracts are taken from the resolutions passed by the bar at his death in April, 1880. 



400 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

young man, also just entering upon tlie practice of law. Being of sim- 
ilar disposition tliey at once became intimate friends, but neither pos- 
sessed much taste for the arduous duties of the profession, and soon 
drifted into the more congenial sphere of politics. The partnership con- 
tinued for two years, when the latter returned to his native State. His 
subsequent career is familiar to all students of history. Peyton did not 
rank very high as a lawyer, but as a political speaker he had few supe- 
riors, possessing in a high degree that peculiar quality known as per- 
sonal magnetism. He was elected to Congress on the Whig ticket when 
barely thirty j^ears of age, and was twice returned, serving from 1833 to 
1839. He was appointed United States District Attorney at New Orleans 
by President Taylor, and soon after was sent as minister to Chili. He 
afterward practiced law for a time in California, but later returned to his 
old home at Gallatin, where he died in 1878. 

For several years one of the leading law firms in Nashville was com- 
posed of Edwin H. and Andrew Ewing, sons of Nathan Ewing and grand- 
sons of Andrew Ewing, the first clerk of the Davidson County Court. 
Edwin H. Ewing graduated at the Nashville University in 1827, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1831. He then formed a partnership with James 
Grundy, which continued until 1837, when he associated himself with 
his younger brother. For a number of years he took an active interest 
in politics, serving one term in the State Legislature and one term in 
Congress. Meanwhile he kept up the practice of law, and added to his 
already high reputation. He sat frequently upon the bench of the su- 
preme court as special judge, and delivered opinions in several important 
cases. In 1851 the partnership with his brother was dissolved, and he 
did but little practice thereafter until the close of the war, at which time 
he resumed his professional labors and has only recently entirely with- 
drawn from active life. 

Andrew Ewing also received a collegiate education and, in point of 
ability, was not inferior to his brother. He was an easy, graceful and 
persuasive speaker, a thorough and diligent student, and an energetic 
and active advocate. While in partnership he performed the law prac- 
tice, leaving the chancery business to his associate. He made a careful 
study of each case, but he was too thorougly imbued with a knowledge 
of the elements and principles of law to be classed as a mere case lawyer. 
While giving diligent attention to professional business he also mingled 
considerably in the politics of the day as a speaker and counselor. While 
his brother was a Whig he was a moderate Democrat, and in 1849 was 
elected to Congress in the face of a strong opposition. He was appointed 
one of a permanent court-martial of lawyers by the Confederate Govern- 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE, 401 

ment in 1862, and two years later died from exposure and overwork at 
Atlanta, Ga. 

One of the best educated and most brilliant men ever at the bar in 
Tennessee was Keturn J. Meigs, who practiced law for many years in 
Athens, McMinn County, and afterward removed to Nashville. He was 
the author of a voluminous digest of the judicial decisions of the State, 
and was one of the compilers of a " Code of Tennessee." He was not 
only learned in the law, but in ancient and modern languages, and was a 
comparative philologist of no ordinary attainments. Indeed, there seemed 
to be no branch of human knowledge with which he was not in some de- 
gree familiar. At the beginning of the war, being a strong Union man, 
he was compelled to leave Nashville, and he afterward made his home in 
Washington, where, for a number of years, he held a responsible posi- 
tion under the Governmeut. 

William T. Haskell, at one time a prominent member of the bar of 
Tennessee, was almost diametrically opposite in character to Meigs. He 
was a brilliant and effective speaker, possessing a mind of much quick- 
ness and energy, and an imagination of exceeding fertility. He had 
great powers of ridicule, and, when opportunity afforded, could use in- 
vective with crushing effect. He was not, however, a thorough and dili- 
gent student, and was somewhat too fond of social pleasure to attain to 
that high rank to which, with proper application, his talents would have 
raised him. 

Spencer Jarnagin, a student at law under Hugh L. White, was born 
and reared in East Tennessee, where he attained to considerable distinc- 
tion in his profession. He was a plain unimaginative man with a clear 
head and sound judgment. His language was simple, well chosen and 
straightforward, and he rarely indulged in impassioned flights of oratory, 
yet he never failed to elicit the closest attention from his hearers. His 
success as a jury lawyer has rarely been excelled, and litigants always felt 
confident of success when they had secured him to advocate their cause. 

One of the leading lawyers in the western division of the State for 
many years was Milton Brown, a native of Ohio, who located in Tennes- 
see in early manhood. During his long practice in the various courts of 
the State he maintained a high reputation for industry, probity and 
legal acumen, and succeeded in accumulating an ample fortune. His 
knowledge of the law was full and accurate, his reasoning powers much 
above mediocrity, and his astuteness and skill in the management of 
cases were universally acknowledged. . 

John A. Nooe was at one time prominently identified with the Mem- 
phis bar. He was a man of high character, mild, affable, benignant and 



402 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

of unimpeacliable integrity. He was thoroughly well read in the law, 
and could effectively apply the learning which he had acquired. Al- 
though he always expressed himself with fluency and in elegant language, 
his diffidence in public was a serious drawback upon his complete suc- 
cess as a forensic advocate. 

Neill Smith Brown, the thirteenth governor of Tennessee, was a native 
of Giles County and a descendant of Scotch Presbyterians. His parents 
were poor, and unable to give him more than the rudiments of an educa- 
tion. At the age of seventeen he was thrown upon his own resources, 
and took to teaching school to enable him to secure a more thorough 
education. After completing a college course he studied law, and began 
the practice at Matagorda, Tex., then a part of Mexico. Not finding the 
society congenial, he soon after returned to his native State, where he 
took an active part in politics until the beginning of the war, serving as 
a member of the General Assembly, governor, minister to Bussia, and as 
presidential elector on the Whig ticket in IS 56. His career as a lawyer 
began in 1835, and except for his frequent diversion in the field of poli- 
tics, he practiced his profession for a period of fifty years. It could not 
perhaps be said that his legal acquirements were the most comprehensive, 
or that in grasp of thought and aggressive force of character he was not 
excelled, but his native talents were of a high order, and had been well 
cultivated for the part he essayed in life, and they won for him just and 
deserved distinction. 

John Trimble, a son of James Trimble, who has been previously men- 
tioned, attained a high degree of eminence in the profession. At the 
age of twenty-four he was elected attorney-general for the Nashville Dis- 
trict, a position which he held for six years. In 1843 he was elected a 
member of the lower house of the General Assembly, and two years later 
to the Senate. He refused a renomination, and for the next few years 
devoted himself to his professional labors, acquiring a large practice. 
In 1859 he again entered politics, being elected to the State Senate. He 
was a stanch Union man, and during the extra session of 18G1 did all in 
his power to defeat the passage of the ordinances of secession. In 1862 
he was commissioned United States district attorney, whicli office he 
held for two years. In 1865 he was again elected to the State Senate, 
and two years afterward was chosen to represent his district in the XL 
Congress. He had a taste for literary pursuits, which at times became 
almost a passion, and for several years of his life he devoted himself 
almost entirely to study. Had he been ambitious to rise either in his 
profession or in the political world, he could have attained to the highest 
position in either. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 403 

Judge Thomas L. Williams, for a long time chancellor of East Ten- 
nessee, was one of the most highly respected members of the profession 
who ever practiced in the courts of the State. He was a man of strong 
constitution and of great energy and force. He scorned all effeminate 
self-indulgence, and his powers of endurance seemed almost unlimited. 
He held thirty-eight courts in nineteen different counties in a year, and 
in going from one point to another had to travel over rough mountain 
roads, at times almost impassable. His judicial career presents an ex- 
ample of industry and adherence to official duty rarely excelled. 
Although he possessed highly respectable attainments in his profession, 
he was not a learned lawyer nor an accomplished scholar; but he pos- 
sessed in an eminent degree that highest and most valuable of all intel- 
lectual gifts, strong, vigorous, practical, common sense. He retired from 
the chancellorship in 1854, and died at Nashville, December 2, 1856. 

Thomas C. Lyon, of the Knoxville bar, was a native of Koane Coun- 
ty, born in 1810. He enjoyed the reputation of an able and successful 
lawyer, and a thorough and profound jurist. He was a man of fine 
sensibilities and a high sense of honor. He sat frequently upon the 
supreme bench as a special judge, and his opinions are generally re- 
garded as not inferior to those of the most learned jurists. He Avas a fine 
linguist and an accomplished scholar, with considerable taste for poetical 
composition. When he was quite young his father removed to Knox- 
ville, where he received his education, graduating from East Tennessee 
College. During the Mexican war he served on the staff of Gen. Wool, 
with the rank of major. He died in Richmond, Va., October 1, 1864. 

William H. Sneed, another prominent member of the Knoxville 
bar, was born in Davidson County in 1812, and soon after attaining 
his majority began the practice of law at Murfreesboro. He early at- 
tained a high standing, which he fully maintained to the end of his life. 
In 1843 he was chosen to the State Senate, and soon after the expiration 
of his term of office married the only daughter of Alexander Williams, of 
Greeneville, where he then located, and in partnership with Robert J. 
McKinney practiced his profession for about a year. In 1845 he re- 
moved to Knoxville, where he at once took a prominent position, and in 
1855 was elected to represent his district in Congress. He died at his 
home in 1869. 

Horace Maynard, for many years a leading lawyer and politician of 
East Tennessee, was born in Massachusetts in 1814. He received his 
early education in Charleston, S. C, but graduated from Amherst Col- 
lege in 1838. He soon after removed to East Tennessee, locating ' at 
Knoxville, where he was employed as a professor in the University of 



404 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

East Tennessee until 1844. He then entered npon the practice of law 
and soon was recognized as one of the leading attorneys in that division 
of the State. In 1857 he took his seat as a member of the XXXV 
Congress, and continued as a member of that body until the expiration 
of the XLIII Congress, with the exception of from 1868 to 1865, 
when he was attorney-general of Tennessee. Having with Andrew John- 
son espoused the principles of the Republican party, he remained faithful 
to them. He served during the greater portion of President Hayes' 
administration as minister to Turkey, and also for a short time as Post- 
master-General. He was a man of distinguished ability, was a forcible 
and clear speaker and always entertaining. He died May 3, 1882. 

At the close of the civil war, the supreme court was reorganized 
with Samuel Milligan, J. O. Shackleford and Alvin Hawkins, as judges 
appointed by the governor. Frequent changes occasioned by resignation 
occurred, until the adoption of the new constitution in 1870. 

Samuel Milligan was born in Greene County, Tenn., "of poor but 
respectable parents." His father was unable to give him a better educa- 
tion than could be obtained at an old field school; but being possessed 
of a well balanced and indomitable energy he- determined to take a 
colleofe course. In this he was successful and graduated from Tusculum 
College. He studied law with Robert J. McKinney, but before begin- 
ning practice he was elected to the General Assembly, serving two 
terms. He was admitted to the bar in 1846, but soon after joined the 
army and served as a major in the Mexican war. After his return home 
he practiced his profession until the civil war. In 1868 he resigned his 
seat upon the supreme bench, and was made one of the judges of th'e 
court of claims at Washington, a position he held until his death in 1874. 
He was an able advocate, and an impartial and incorruptible judge. 

Alvin Hawkins entered the profession of the law as a student under 
Judge Totten at the age of nineteen. About two years later he located 
at Camden, Benton County, where he remained only a short time, when 
he returned to Huntington. In 1854 he was chosen to represent his 
county in the General Assembly, and in 1862 was elected to Congress 
but did not take his seat. He remained loyal to the Union, however, and 
in 1864 was appointed United States District Attorney for West Tennes- 
see, by President Lincoln, a position which he resigned the folloAving 
year to accept a seat upon the Supreme Bench. As an advocate he has 
few superiors, and is especially strong before a jury. He is an effective 
speaker at all times, and possesses oratorical powers of a high order. His 
native talents are of a high order and have been well cultivated, and they 
have won for him just and deserved distinction. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 405 

James O. Shackleford was a native of Kentucky, but at an early age 
removed with his parents to Missouri. During his early manhood he 
was engaged in trapping in New Mexico and other parts of the Southwest. 
After his return he studied law and began practice at Dover, Stewart 
County. Later he removed to Clarksville, and formed a partnership with 
James Rivers, with whom he practiced for a time. He afterward was 
associated with Gustav A. Henry, continuing until the beginning of the 
civil war. During that struggle he espoused the Union cause, yet he 
always sympathized with the misfortunes of his neighbors on the other 
side, and through his influence prevented much suffering. In 1865, with 
Hawkins and Milligan, he was placed upon the supreme bench by ap- 
pointment of Gov. Brownlow. He resigned in 1867, but was reappointed 
the following year. In 1869 he resu'med the practice of his profession 
in Nashville; there he continued until about 1875, when he moved to 
Colorado. Judge Shackleford was a man of good ability and consider- 
able learning. He was not an eloquent speaker, but possessed reasoning 
powers of a high order. 

Andrew McLain, one of the supreme judges elected in 1869, was born 
in Smith County and began his career as a lawyer at Carthage. He 
soon became one of the leading attorneys in that county and was made 
judge of the circuit court. After his retirement from the supreme bench 
in 1870 he practiced law in Nashville until February, 1882, when he 
received the appointment to the office of United States District Attorney, 
Upon the change in the administration of the Federal Government in 
1885 he was retired, and now resides in San Diego, Cal, He is well 
read in his profession, but is not a successful advocate, being somewhat 
lacking in tact and skill. He is a man, however, of unquestioned integ- 
rity, and of the strictest moral rectitude. 

George Andrews was born in Putney, Vt., in 1826. His boyhood was 
spent in his native State, in Avestern New York and in Michigan. He 
studied law in Detroit, where he was admitted to the bar in 1857, and 
continued to practice his profession until 1865, when he came to Ten- 
nessee. In December, 1868, he was appointed by Gov. Brownlow a 
judge of the supreme court, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation 
of Judge Milligan. He was elected to the same position at the judicial elec- 
tion in May, 1869, and continued upon the bench until the adoption of 
the new constitution in 1870. In December, 1871, he was appointed 
United States District Attorney for the eastern district of Tennessee, 
which position he continued to hold until his resignation in February, 
1879. Since that time he has practiced his profession in Knoxville; 
since January 1, 1881, in partnership with J. M. Thornburgh. 



406 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Henry Gratton Smith, the successor of Judge Hawkins upon the su- 
preme bench, was for a long time a distinguished member of the bar of 
Tennessee. His entire career was marked by a love of truth and upright- 
ness, a scrupulous fairness toward adversary counsel and parties, and 
a laborious, painstaking attention to ascertain the true principle of law. 
It could not be claimed for him, perhaps, that he had no superiors in the 
profession, yet his learning and ability were decidedly above mediocrity. 
During the civil war he remained loyal to the National Government, yet 
he conducted himself with such rare discretion and dignity as to win the 
esteem of even his enemies. His opinions and judgments as they are 
found in the official reports attest to his ability and his devotion to the 
duties of his high office. 

Horace H. Harrison was born in Lebanon, Wilson County, August 7, 
1829. In 1841 the family removed to McMinnville, having meanwhile 
resided in Sumner and Eobertson Counties. The father died in 1815, 
leaving young Harrison, at the age of fifteen, the sole support of his 
mother, Up to that time he had received a liberal education, but this 
event prevented him from completing his college course. He entered the 
office of the county clerk, and during the next seven years served in that 
office, the office of the clerk and master of the chancery court, and that of 
the register of deeds. In 1853 he was elected a director of the Mc- 
Minnville & Manchester Eailroad, and two years later began the prac- 
tice of law in the Mountain Circuit, where he enjoyed a large practice 
from the first. In 1859 he removed to Nashville. In 1802 he was ap- 
pointed clerk of the Federal courts for Middle Tennessee. August 15, 
18G3, he was commissioned United States District Attorney, a position he 
held until 1866. He was then appointed chancellor by Brownlow, and 
the following year was elected to the supreme bench. In 1872 he was 
again appointed United States District Attorney, and afterward was 
elected to Congress from the Nashville District. At the end of his time he 
resumed the practice of law, continuing until his death, which occurred 
December 20, 1885. Judge Harrison was able and scholarly, and even 
his political opponents always conceded his purity and honesty. As a 
speaker and wi'iter he was noted for clearness of statement and earnest- 
ness of manner. 

Eobert McFarland was for many years an able member of the East 
Tennessee bar, ranking with Keese and McKinney. He was a born law- 
yer and a judge by nature. He had a logical mind, patient of investi- 
gation and trained by reflection rather than much reading. He was 
singularly free from prejudices, and if as a judge he was not famed for 
erudition, he fully compensated for its absence by an accurate discrimin- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 407 

ation, sound judgment and rare practical wisdom. His opinions are not 
distinguislied for beauty of style or wealth of illustration, but they are al- 
ways clear and convincing. In correctness of decision, the highest test 
of a supreme judge, he had no superior. He was not as learned a lawyer 
as Reese, nor as exact and precise as McKinney, but in clearness of per- 
ception, soundness of judgment and correctness of decision he rivalled 
either*. He served upon the supreme bench for a period of eleven 
years, retiring on account of failing* health in December, 1882. He died 
in 1884. 

Thomas A. R. Nelson, one of the supreme judges elected in 1870, 
was a native of Roane County, Tenn. He graduated frpm East Tennes- 
see College in 1828, and was admitted to the bar before he attained his 
majority. He was one of the most brilliant and versatile of men and 
soon won his way to distinction. He figured quite prominently in poli- 
tics, and while in Congress delivered a speech which was published in full 
by the Londo)i Times, and which that paper pronounced to be "one of the 
finest forensic efforts of modern American lawgivers." His reasoning 
powers were of a very high order, his imagination uncommonly fertile, 
and his power of satire unexcelled. During all the years of his long life, 
while not engaged in politics, he was vigorously prosecuting his profes- 
sional labors, and in everything lie undertook he was earnest, laborious 
and indefatigable. During his short term of service as a supreme judge 
he delivered a number of opinions which give evidence of his eminent 
ability as a jurist. 

John Louis Taylor Sneed, one of the six supreme judges elected un- 
der the revised constitution in 1870, is a native of North Carolina. His 
mother died when he was quite a child and he was taken in charge and 
educated by his uncle, then living in Granville County, N. C, but who 
soon after removed to West Tennessee. There young Sneed, after re- 
ceiving an academic education, began the study of law with V. D. Barry. 
In 1843 he settled in Memphis for the practice of his profession, and two 
years later he was elected to the General Assembly. In 1846 and 1847 
he was a captain of volunteers in the Mexican war, and served with dis- 
tinction until its close. In 1851 he was elected attorney-general of the 
Memphis Judicial District, but resigned three years later to become a 
candidate for the office of attorney-general of Tennessee. He was elected 
and held the office for five years, during which time he published the five 
volumes of reports known as Sneed' s Reports. After his retirement from 
that office he became a candidate for Congress on the Whig ticket, but 
was defeated, the district being overwhelmingly Democratic. He then re- 

*Tribute lo his memory from the Supreme Court Bar of East Tennessee. 



408 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

turned to the practice of law and was so engaged when the civil war be- 
gan. A Union man at first, like many others, he was made a rebel "by 
the tramp o£ an invading army," and although he never held office in the 
Confederate Army, yet he was thoroughly identified with its interests, 
and devoted to its cause. On his retirement from the supreme bench in 
1878 a feeling of general regret was expressed. He afterward served as 
judge of the court of arbitration and also of the court of referees. As a 
judge he was patient, courteous, discriminately just and capable. In 
careful consideration, scholarly composition, lucidity of argument and 
thorough interpretation of the law, his opinions compare favorably with 
any of his predecessors. He is an especally brilliant speaker, and a 
forcible and ready orator. Personally he is very popular, being a man 
of commanding presence, easy and graceful in his manners, and possess- 
ing rare conversational powers. 

Alfred Osborne Pope Nicholson, the first chief justice under the con- 
stitution of 1870, was born in Williamson County, Tenn, in 1808. He 
received a collegiate education, graduating from the University of North 
Carolina in 1827. He then began the study of medicine, but soon 
abandoned it for the law, and was licensed to practice in 1831. The fol- 
lowing year he became the editor of the Western Mercury^ at Columbia. 
From that time until the war he was too thoroughly engrossed in politics 
to achieve very great success at the bar, although he combined in a re- 
markable degree the application and acumen of the jurist and the sagacity 
of the politician. He was, however, too retiring in his disposition and 
by nature too prudent and timid to be a great leader; yet he was fre- 
quently elected to office, serving three terms in the lower house of the 
General Assembly and one term in the State Senate. In 1840 he was 
appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Felix Grundy in the United 
States Senate, and was elected to represent the State in that body for the 
term beginning in December, 1859. Upon the secession of the Southern 
States he resigned his seat, and was not again in office until elected to 
the bench of the supreme court. Although he was perhaps not the peer 
of Haywood and some others of the profession in the depth and grasp of 
his intellect, yet he possessed the power of concentration to a high de- 
gree, and had the faculty of elucidating a subject and bringing forth 
great results from his cool and deliberate judgment. Whether at the 
bar, on the bench, or in political life, he always gave his views in such 
plain words that the humblest hearer could understand them. 

William Frierson Cooper, at one time a partner of Judge Nicholson, 
as a chancery lawyer, jurist and thorough literary scholar, has no supe- 
rior in the State. During his practice of the law he devoted himself al- 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 409 

most exclusively to tlie clianceiy department, -which, with his experience 
of nearly seven years as chancellor, has made him the leading authority 
in the State in that branch of jurisprudence. His decisions while upon 
the bench of the chancery court have been published in three volumes, 
and are exceedingly valuable. His knowledge of law in other depart- 
ments is also thorough and extensive. With Return J. Meigs he pre- 
pared the present "Code of Tennessee," and afterward edited forty volumes 
of the "Tennessee Eeports" upon their republication. He has also re- 
edited an edition of "Daniels' Chancery Practice," bringing down the 
references and annotations to the present time. January 1, 1879, he took 
his seat upon the bench of the supreme court, and has since discharged 
the duties of the office with that fidelity and ability which has character- 
ized him in all his official and professional relations. 

Peter Turney received his knowledge of the law under the direction 
of his father, the late Hopkins L. Turney, and was admitted to the bar 
in 1848, at the age of twenty-one years. For the first two or three years 
he obtained few cases, but after that time he did a good practice until 
the beginning of the civil war. He then entered the Confederate Army 
as colonel of the First Confederate Tennessee Regiment, in which posi- 
tion and elsewhere he made a gallant record during four years'* service. 
At the close of hostilities he resumed the practice of his profession, 
which he continued with success until 1870, when he took his seat upon 
the supreme bench. He is a man of great native ability and strong in- 
dividuality, is firm and positive in his opinions, and as a judge is not at 
all subject to the influence or domination of any other member of the 
court. He is perhaps not as widely read in his profession, nor in general 
literature, as some of his colleagues, yet his opinions are as generally 
accurate as those of any other judge. 

James W. Deaderick, the present chief justice of the Supreme Court 
of Tennessee, was born in Jonesborough, Washington County, in 1812. 
He received a thol-ough education, having attended East Tennesse Col- 
lege and Central College at Danville, Ky. He married before complet- 
ing his course at the latter school, and soon after, in 1833, began mer- 
chandising in what is now Hamblen County. Not being very successful 
in that business, about 1842 he took up the study of law, and in due time 
was admitted to the bar of his native town. He there opened an office 
and continued to practice with reasonable success until the close of the 
civil war. In 1866 he removed to Bristol, and the following year to 
Knoxville, where he remained until his election to the supreme bench in 
1870. Judge Deaderick, while not a learned jurist, is a man of fine 
practical sense, of sterling probity and of persistent energy. He is mod- 



410 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

est, even to diffidence, and liis unobtrusive, kindly demeanor, united with 
liis uniform fairness, lias won for liim a host of friends among the mem- 
bers of the bar. 

Thomas J. Freeman is a native of West Tennessee, having been born 
in Gibson County, in 1827. His early education was limited to the 
country schools and the county academy, yet at the age of seventeen he 
had completed a course of medical reading. Not finding that profession 
to his liking, he turned his attention to the law, and at the age of twenty- 
one was admitted to the bar. He at once opened an office in Trenton^ 
where he practiced until 1861, when he removed to Haywood County. 
After the close of the war he removed to Brownsville, where he contin- 
ued to practice his profession until his elevation to the Supreme Bench in 
1870. Judge Freeman has always been a close student not only in his 
pi:ofession but of general literature, and is considered one of the most 
broadly cultured men in the State. He possesses what may be denomi- 
nated a metaphysical mind — reasons logically and, in general, accurately. 
His written opinions are usually quite long, but are clearly stated. As 
a lawyer he was eminently successful in practice. He was critically 
careful in the preparation of his cases and was. a skillful and eloquent 
advocate and a thorough master of technical pleading. 

John B. Cooke, the successor of Judge McFarland upon the supreme 
bench, was appointed in 1883 to fill out the unexpired term of the latter. 
He is a resident of Chattanooga, and is a lawyer and jurist of excellent 
judgment and high ability. 

Morgan AV. Brown, the successor of John McNairy as judge of the 
Federal court for the District of Tennessee, was a brother of William L. 
Brown, one of the judges of the supreme court. He was a man of con- 
siderable reading and correct literary taste, a fine miscellaneous writer, 
and was for some time editor of a Nashville paper. He was appointed 
to a seat upon the bench of the Federal court in 1834, and continued to 
hold that position until his death in 1853. 

West H. Humphreys, the successor of Judge Brown, was born in 
Montgomery County, in 1805. Soon after preparing himself for the law, 
he located in Somerville, Fayette County, where he began his profes- 
sional career, and in a very short time rose to distinction. So great was 
his popularity that he was sent as a delegate to the Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1831, and the following year was elected to the General As- 
sembly, in which body he occupied a prominent position. In 1839 he 
was elected attorney-general and reporter of the supreme court, and re- 
elected in 1844 From the date of his appointment to be judge of the 
Federal court, he held the position until the opening of the war, when he 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 411 

received a commission to the same office from the Confederate Govern- 
ment. After the war he returned to his practice and continued until 
within a few years of his death which occurred in October, 1882. He 
was a man of large acquirements not only in his profession, but in gen- 
eral knowledge. He was industrious and painstaking in the preparation, 
of his cases, and earnest and vehement in his advocacy. As a judge he 
was just, and exceedingly courteous to the bar and to all with whom he 
came in contact. 

Connolly F. Trigg was appointed United States District Judge for 
the District of Tennessee by President Lincoln, in July, 1862. He was 
a native of Yirginia, where he received his education and where he prac- 
ticed law until near middle life. He then came to Tennessee and here 
spent several years of useful and successful toil in his profession, before 
and up to the war. During that trying period, although a Southerner 
in his sentiments and dearest relations, he clung to the Union with un- 
swerving devotion, and at the close of hostilities he was the sole Federal 
judge in Tennessee to administer and enforce the penal laws of the 
United States. It was a time to test the courage and integrity of a judge 
to the utmost. The excitement and animosities of the war had not yet 
begun to subside, and the courts were filled with proscription, confisca- 
tion and test-oath cases. It now lay in his power to revenge himself 
upon his former enemies, but "Judge Trigg, with the same undaunted 
courage that he displayed in turning his back on secession, now calmly 
and serenely opposed and drove from the temple of justice the spirit of 
hate and revenge. Indictments for treason, libels for confiscation and 
test-oaths all disappeared at his rebuke, and the people resumed their 
wonted callings with a cheerful confidence in the ample protection of the 
laws of the United Stabes." It has been truly said that the State owes 
to Judge Trigg a debt of gratitude greater than to any other man who 
has exercised judicial functions within her boundaries. He was not a 
great man, nor was he an accomplished jurist, but he had an abiding 
faith in the rudimental truths of jurisprudence, and his decisions always 
bear the test of right and justice. 

John Baxter, a judge of the Federal Circuit t!ourt, was a native of 
North Carolina, where he was reared upon the farm, and enjoyed only the 
educational advantages of the country schools of that sparsely settled 
State. At the age of twenty he began the study of law, and in due time 
was admitted to practice. He located in western North Carolina, where 
he immediately rose to prominence, and was several times elected to the 
General Assembly. In 1856 he removed to Knoxville, where he ever 
after made his home. He was appointed judge of the United States Cir- 



412 ~ HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

cuit Coui't in 1877, and continued upon the bench until his death in 1886. 
"Gifted by nature with an intellect of extraordinary vigor and compre- 
hension, of untiring energy and diligence, he rose from the humblest and 
most adverse condition to commanding power and influence as an advo- 
cate. When he came upon the Federal bench the massive proportions of 
his mind, the force and sweep of his faculties develoj^ed and strengthened 
like the trunk of a giant oak, though the struggle of many years and the 
buffeting of many a storm enabled him to grapple with just confidence 
with the many new and difficult questions which confronted him. Law- 
yers soon found throughout the circuit that they had before them one 
who was the equal, if not the superior in many respects, of the greatest 
of them, and one who was determined to dispose of the cases in court with 
as much dispatch as possible. He elevated the tone of the bar; he put 
new life and energy in those who practiced before him ; he infused into 
them something of his own spirit, and the courts in his circuit became 
moving and active in the performance of the functions belonging to them 
as org5.ns of the Government. Business was disposed of, the rights of 
litigants settled promptly and with able discrimination."* 

Howell E. Jackson, the successor of Judge Baxter, is a native of Paris, 
Tenn., born in 1832. He received his early education in the country, 
after which he attended the "West Tennessee College and the University 
of Virginia. He then read law for two years with Judges Totten and 
Brown, of Jackson, and finally graduated from the Lebanon Law School 
in 1855. From that time until 1859 he practiced the profession at Jack- 
son, after which removed to Memphis, where he remained until 1876. 
He then returned to Jackson. He took his seat in the United States 
Senate in 1881, where he remained until receiving his present appoint- 
ment. He is a man of unquestioned character and ability as a lawyer, 
ranking with the best in the State. He has a thoroughly judicial mind, 
and although he has been upon the Federal bench but a short time, he 
has heard two or three important cases, in all of which he has displayed 
conspicuous ability. 

David McKendree Key, judge of the Federal Court for the Districts 
of East and Middle Tennessee, was born in Greene County- in 1824. He 
obtained his early education while laboring upon the farm, and afterward 
made his way through college. He came to the bar in 1853 at Chatta- 
noosa, where he has since resided. In 1870 he was elected chancellor of 
his district, which position he continued to holid until appointed to fill the 
vacancy caused by the death of Andrew Johnson. Upon the formation 
of a cabinet by President Hayes, in 1876, he was made Postmaster-General, 

♦Memorial reaolutiou adopted by the Nashville bar. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 413 

-which position he resigned in 1880, and succeeded Connolly F. Trigg as 
judge of the Federal District Court. As a lawyer he was distinguished 
for clear insight and remarkable comprehension of the facts of the case. 
Upon the bench he is characterized by an unerring instinct in grasp- 
ing the equities of the cause before him, and in presenting a sound de- 
cision. Although not especially active and energetic, he disposes of 
•cases rapidly, and the docket is never allowed to become crowded. 



CHAPTER XTII. 

Educational History — The University of North Carolina— The Estab- 
lishment OF Academies— Pioneer Teachers— Early Colleges and Uni- 
versities — Educational Endowments — The Foundation of the County 
System of Academies- Private or Tuition Schools — Comparison of In- 
structive Systems— Congressional School Lands— The Pauper Schools 
— Renaissance of Learning— The Founding of the Common Schools — 
Creation of the Public Educational Funds- Their Permanent Invest- 
ment— Defalcation— The Infancy of the Common Schools— Their Im- 
provement — Specific Taxation for Educational Support— The Public 
Graded Schools — The Conflict of the Public and the Private Sys- 
tems—The Law OF 1867 and its Practical Working — The Peabody Dona- 
tion—Education of the Colored Race— The Laav of 1870— The State 
Teachers' Association — The Present Co3Imon School System and Funds 
— Scholastic Taxation— The Superintendents of Public Instruction- 
State Academies, Colleges, L^nivebsities and Normal Schools— Sta- 
tistics, etc. 

TENNESSEE was the pioneer in the dissemination and promotion of 
learning in the Southwest. Considering that up to 1790 she formed 
a part of North Carolina, in educational matters the most backward of 
the States, this is a remarkable fact. From the earliest settlement of 
that colony down to the Revolutionary war we find many acts for the es- 
tablishment of an orthodox ministry and vestries; provisions for court 
houses, jails, stocks, prisons and pillories, and very few for the encour- 
agement of institutions of learning, not above ten in all. About the be- 
ginning of the eighteenth century when there was not a church nor more 
than one, if there was one, schoolhouse in the province, the efforts of 
Blair, aided by Bishop Compton, of London, with an offer of £20 to 
teachers and preachers of the province induced a few to enter the field 
where the harvest was ripe and the laborers few.* But at the end of the 
colonial government literature was hardly known. There were within 
the whole province but two schools — those of Newbern and Eden ton. -j* 

*Address of H. M. Doak. f^Iartiu. 



414 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

Outside of the Scotch Presbyterian the great mass of the community did 
not possess even the rudiments of an education. The wealthier members 
of society, however, especially among the Scotch, must have made con- 
siderable advances, since even before the Revolution they were sending 
their sons to complete their education at Princeton. 

The constitution adopted at Halifax December 18, 1876, declared that 
a school or schools should be established, and "all useful learning shall 
be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more universities." The 
unsettled condition of the country, however, during the Revolutionary 
war, and for several years subsequent, prevented compliance, and it was 
not until 1789 that the act establishing the University of North Carolina 
was passed. It was still six years later before the university was opened 
to receive pupils. This college, with the possible exception of Princeton,, 
has exerted a greater influence upon the culture and education of Tennes- 
see than any other foreign institution of learning. It has educated 
many of her most illustrious sons, among whom were James K. Polk, 
Aaron V. Brown, A. O. P. Nicholson and many others of scarcely less 
distinction. 

That the ignorance and lack of educational facilities which existed 
during the colonial days was not in accord with the wish of the people is 
manifest in the vigorous interest in educational matters which immedi- 
ately sprang up after the overthrow of those proprietary and royal gov- 
ernments which for more than a century had rested like an incubus upon 
all the colonies. From the formation of the Federal Union to the close 
of the century numerous acts establishing academies and other schools 
were passed by the Legislature of North Carolina, and more was done 
for the encouragement of learning than had been accomplished in the 
last hundred years. 

In the matter of colleges and academies Yirginia was somewhat more 
fortunate, but with her the popular diffusion of knowledge by schools 
previous to the Revolution was almost unknown, although domestic in- 
struction among those capable of affording it was almost universal. 
"Every man," said Sir William Berkely, in 1671, "instructs his children 
according to his ability," a method which left the children of the ignor- 
ant in helpless ignorance.* The only Virginian school which seems to 
have exerted much influence upon Tennessee was Augusta Academy, which 
after undergoing many changes in organization and name is now known 
as the Washington and Lee College. At that school two of the educa- 
tional pioneers, Carrick and Doak, laid the foundation of their careers. 
The most potent of all the influences on the early education in both 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 415 

North Carolina and Tennessee was the college of New Jersey at Prince- 
ton, from which graduated Doak, Balch, Craighead and many other 
eminent educators and divines. 

The first school established in Tennessee, and, it is belieyed, the first 
west of the Alleghany Mountains, was Martin Academy, founded under 
an act " for the promotion of learning in the county of Washington,'* 
passed by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1785. Rev. Sam- 
uel Doak, mentioned above as the graduate of Princeton College, or as it 
was then known Nassau Hall, was the founder and first president. He 
was a member of the Franklin Assembly, and, it is said, was the author 
of the clause concerning education in the rejected constitution.* He was. 
a man of great ability and force of character and of great learning, 
especially in the classics. His schoolhouse, a plain log building erected 
on his farm, stood a little west of the site afterward selected for Wash- 
ington Academy. For many years it was the only, and for still more the- 
principal, seat of classical education for the western country. -j- 

During the same year but at the next session of the General Assem- 
bly, through the influence of Gen. Robertson, " an act for the promotion 
of learning in Davidson County " was passed. Rev. Thomas Craighead, 
Hugh Williamson, Daniel Smith, William Polk, Anthony Bledsoe, Lard- 
ner Clarke, Ephraim McLean, Robert Hays and James Robertson were 
appointed trustees and constituted a body politic under the name of the. 
" President and Trustees of Davidson Academy." Two hundred and forty 
acres of land adjoining the town of Nashville, on the Cumberland River,, 
were granted by this act, which also encouraged private "bequests, gifts, 
and purchases." It was further provided that all the "lands, tene- 
ments or hereditaments " vested in the trustees of the academy should be 
exempt from taxation for a period of ninety-nine years. 

At the first meeting of the trustees, which was held in August, 1786,, 
Rev. Thomas Craighead was elected president, and at the next meeting 
it was decided that the school should be taught at " Spring Hill Meeting 
House," in the town of Haysborough, six miles east of Nashville. It was 
also ordered " that five pounds hard money, or the value thereof in other 
money, be paid for each scholar per annum." The lands belonging to 
the institution for a number of years were rented out, and the proceeds 

*The clause referred to is as follows : 

Sec. 32. All kinds of useful learning shall be encouraged by the commonwealth, that is to say, the 
future Legislature shall erect before the year seventeen hundred and eighty-seven, one university, whicl* 
sliall lie near the center of the State, and not in any city or town. And for endowing the same, there shall be 
appropriated such lands as m.ay be judged nece.ssary, one-fourth of all the moneys arising from the surveys of 
landhereafter to be made, one half-penny upon every pound of inspected tobacco, forever ; and if the fund 
thence arising shall be found insullicient, the Legislature shall provide for such additions as may be necessary, 
and if experience shall make it appear to be useful to the'interest ol learning in this State, a grammar school 
shall be erected in each county, and such sums paid by the public as shall enable the trustees to employ % 
master or masters of approved morals and abilities. 
JRamsey. 



416 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

used iu their improvement and in support of the academy. A ferry was 
established, which iu time yielded an income of from $100 to $650 per 
annum. 

One of the acts passed by the Legislature of the new State in April, 
1796, added ten new trustees to the old board, and also appointed three 
persons to audit the accounts of the old trustees, with directions to insti- 
tute suit against the latter if they failed to comply with the law. The 
act provided further that the buildings of the academy should be erected 
*' on the most convenient situation on the hill immediately above Nash- 
ville, and near the road leading to Buchanan's Mill." This act was not 
altogether satisfactory to the old board, and they refused to receive the 
new trustees and auditors ; but the difficulty was settled after some delay, 
and they were finally admitted. Although some steps were taken toward 
the erection of a building as provided in the act, it was nearly ten years 
before it was completed. On October 25, 1803, an act was passed reor- 
ganizing the institution, and constituting it a college. Eighteen trus- 
tees, of whom Thomas Craighead was the first mentioned, were constitut- 
ed "a body politic and corporate by the name of the Trustees of David- 
son College." This act was repealed, however, on the 4th of the fol- 
lowing March, and thus ended the existence of Davidson College. 

At the session of the Territorial Assembly of 1794 two new colleges, 
Blount and Greeneville, were chartered. The bill incorporating the 
former institution was introduced on the 4th of September, by William 
Cocke, of Hawkins County, and on the lOtli of the same month it be- 
came a law. The act begins as follows: 

Whereas, The Legislature of this Territory are disposed to promote the happiness 
of the people at large, and especially of the rising generation, by instituting seminaries of 
education, where youth may be habituated to an amiable, moral and virtuous conduct, 
and accurately instructed in the various branches of useful science, and in the principles 
of ancient and modern languages; therefore 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Oovernor, Legislative Council and House of Repre- 
sentatives of the Territory of the United States of America, south of the River Ohio, That 
the Rev. Samuel Carrick, president, and his Excellency, William Blount, the Hon. Dan- 
iel Smith, secretary of the Territory, the Hon. David Campbell, the Hon. Joseph Ander- 
8on. Gen. John Sevier, Col. James White, Col. Alexander Kelley, Col. William Cocke, 
Willie Blount, Joseph Hamilton, Archibald Roane, Francis A. Ramsey, Charles McClung, 
George Roulstone, George McNutt, John Adair and Robert Houston, Esquires, shall be, 
and they are hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate by the name of the presi- 
dent and trustees of Blount College, in the vicinity of Knoxville. 

The college was declared opened to all denominations in the following 

words : 

And the trustees shall take effectual care that students of all denominations may and 
cUall be admitted to the equal advantages of a liberal education, and to the emoluments 
and honors of the college, and that they shall receive a like fair, generous and equal 
treatment during their residence. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 417 

This was the first non-sectarian college chartered in the United 
States. Col. James White donated the town square to the trustees for 
the use of the college, and a two-story frame building was erected by 
subscription near the northwest corner of the square.* 

Kev. Samuel Carrick, the president, was a native of Pennsylvania. 
He removed in early life to Virginia, where he received his education 
and labored for many years. In 1787 he came to Tennessee and 
preached from the artificial mound, near the confluence of the Holston. 
and French Broad Rivers. The next year he returned, and henceforth 
encountered all the hardships and dangers of pioneer life. 

No authentic records of the first five years of the college exercises 
are in existence, but, according to tradition, great and general interest 
was taken in the institution, especially on examination occasions. The 
written records of the college begin with the year 1804. Among the 
students at that time were C. C. Clay, William Carter, Thomas Cocke, 
Lemuel P. Montgomery and William E. Parker. The last named grad- 
uated on the 18th of October, 1806, the first studei^t to graduate from 
the college. Females were admitted to the college at this time. The 
first named are those of Polly McClung, Barbara Blount, Jenny Arm- 
strong, Matty and Kitty Kain. As originally organized the college was 
dependent for its support solely upon the patronage of the public. 

Greeneville College was founded by Hezekiah Balch, a native of 
Maryland, but reared from early childhood in Mechlenburg County, N. 
C. He graduated at Princeton College and soon after located in Greene 
County, where he served as a co-laborer in the church with Dr. Doak, of 
the adjoining county of Washington. But during nearly his entire life 
in the State he was harrassed by trials before presbyteries, synods and 
the general conference for some alleged heresies in the doctrines which 
he preached. So much of his time and money were spent in attendance 
upon these trials that his school was seriously injured, yet he patiently 
labored on until his death. 

The first female academy in the State was founded by Moses Fisk, at 
Hilham, in Overton County, and was known as Fisk's Female Academy. 
It was chartered in 180(3, and, according to the terms of the charter, 
Moses Fisk and Sampson Williams were to contribute 1,000 acres of 
land each toward the endowment of the institution. FiSk was a native 
of Massachusetts, a graduate of Harvard College and a man of great 
learning and of singular genius. 

In 1806 Congress passed an act of great importance to the educa- 
tional interests of Tennessee. It was entitled "an act to authorize the 

♦For the sketch of Blount College and the University of Tennessee this chapter is indebted to the address 
of Col. Mose White, delivered in 1879. 



418 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

State of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands 
therein described; and to settle the claims to the vacant and unappropri- 
ated lands within the same." This act provided "that the State of Ten- 
nessee shall appropriate one hundred thousand acres, which shall be lo- 
cated in one entire tract, within the limits of the lands reserved to the 
Cherokee Indians hj an act of the State of North Carolina entitled 'An 
act for opening the land office for the redemption of specie and other 
certificates, and discharging the arrears due to the army,' passed in the 
year one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three, and shall be for the 
use of two colleges, one in East and one in West Tennesee, to be estab- 
lished l)y the Legislature thereof. And one hundred thousand acres in 
one tract within the limits last aforesaid for the use of academies, one in 
each county in said State to be established by the Legislature thereof; 
which said several tracts shall be located on lands to which the Indian 
title has been extinguished, and subject to the disposition of the Legisla- 
tui-e of the State; but shall not be granted nor sold for less than two 
dollars per acre, and the proceeds of the sales of the lands aforesaid 
shall be vested in funds for the respective uses aforesaid forever, and the 
State of Tennessee shall, moreover, in issuing grants and perfecting 
titles, Jocate six hundred and forty acres to every six miles square in the 
territory hereby ceded, where existing claims will allow the same, which 
shall be appropriated for the use of schools for the instruction of children 
forever." 

The General Assembly, at the next session after tne passage of this 
act, was flooded with memorials and petitions from the people of several 
counties, and from the president and trustees of eacli of the colleges in 
East Tennessee, praying for the grant and setting forth the advantages 
of their particular localities for the establishment of the college. Greene- 
ville College urged the numerous advantages peculiar to that institution, 
"its local situation, extensive library, philosophical apparatus, ample 
funds and other circumstances." A resolution was received from the 
trustees of Blount College, expressing a willingness to unite their funds 
with those of the college to be established, provided it should be situated 
within two miles of Knoxville. The people of Blount County wished the 
college located at Marysville, while Hawkins County recommended Rog- 
erville. The q^aestion of locating the college, however, was not settled 
until the next session of the Legislature, when thirty persons were 
ap[X)inted trustees of East Tennessee College, "to be located on ten 
acres of land within two miles of Knoxville, conveyed in trust for the 
use of said college by Moses "White at a place called the Rocky or Poplar 
Spring." The trustees, with the exception of seven, were apportioned 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 419 

among tlie several counties of East Tenessee according to tlieir popula- 
tion. The seven trustees were selected from among men living in the 
vicinity of the college that they might have a more direct oversight of the 
institution. The following were the trustees appointed: For Hawkins 
County, Richard Mitchell and Andrew Galbreathy; Sullivan, John Rhea 
and James King ; Greene, Augustus P. Fore and John Gass ; Washing- 
ton, Mathew Stephenson and John Kennedy; Carter, George Duffield; 
Jefferson, James Rice and Joseph Hamilton; Grainger, John Cocke and 
Maj. Lea; Cocke, Alexander Smith; Sevier, Hopkins Lacy; Blount, Jo- 
seph B. Lapsly and Dr. Robert Gant; Claiborne, William Graham; 
Anderson, Arthur Crozier; Roane, Thomas I. Vandyke; Knox, George 
W. Campbell, John Sevier and Thomas Emmerson. John Crozier, John 
Williams, Archibald Roane, Francis A. Ramsey, David Deaderick, 
George Doherty and John Lowry were appointed as the special trustees. 
Until buildings could be erected the trustees were authorized to use the 
buildings of Blount College, and the funds of that institution were 
declared incorporated with those of East Tennessee College. 

In 1806, after the passage by Congress of the act already referred to, 
the trustees of Davidson Academy petitioned the General Assembly for 
the endowment provided for in that act, and the academy being the only 
institution of the kind in West Tennessee* the petition was granted, and 
a body of nineteen trustees was incorporated under the name of the 
"Trustees of Cumberland College. " All the property, both personal and 
real, belonging to Davidson Academy was transferred to the college. At 
a, meeting of the board of trustees held in July, 1807, it was decided to 
•open the college for the reception of students on the 1st of the next Sep- 
tember, and books and apparatus to the amount of $1,000 were pur- 
chased. Rev. Thomas Craighead was continued as president of the 
institution until October 24, 1809, when Dr. James Priestly was elected. 
The former continued one of the trustees till the autumn of 1813, when 
his connection with the college finally ceased. 

The management of the endowment fund proved to be a source of con- 
siderable difficulty. Various acts were passed providing for its invest- 
ment, none of which proved satisfactory in its results. In 1807 John 
Russell, James Park, Josiah Nichol, Edward Douglass, John Overton and 
William Tate were appointed commissioners to manage the fund, and 
were authorized "to purchase stock in some reputable bank in the United 
States, and to pay over the dividends arising from the same to the col- 
leges." Two years later Thomas McCorry, John Crozier and Thomas 
Emmerson were appointed to loan out the money in the treasury belong- 

*What is now Middle Tennessee was then called West Tennessee. 



420 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ing to the college. lu 1813 an act was passed requiring all moneys col- 
lected for the use of Cumberland College to be turned over to the trus- 
tees of that institution, and by them to be invested either in Nashville 
bank stock or stock of the Bank of the State of Tennessee. The treasurer 
of East Tennessee was required to invest the money belonging to East 
Tennessee College in the same way. All the moneys loaned out to in- 
dividuals were called in. 

In 1806 the General Assembly, in compliance with the act of Con- 
gress, made provisions for county academies, and appointed five trustees 
for each county. These trustees were empowered "to fix upon and pur- 
chase a site, and to take and receive subscriptions for the same. " As the 
amount of funds available for each county was quite small, it was neces- 
sary that the people provide the buildings, and, also, in a great measure 
support the schools by subscriptions and donations. It was, conse- 
quently, several years before academies were established in all of the 
counties. 

Thus it is seen that after more than thirty years of dependent, and 
twenty years of independent, State government, no legislative action had 
been taken for the support and encouragement of common schools in Ten- 
nessee. Acts and grants for the benefit of academies and higher institu- 
tions of learning are numerous, but the idea of a system of popular edu- 
cation maintained at public expense does not seem to have entered the 
minds of legislators. In this may be found one of the most striking con- 
trasts between Virginia, North Carolina and other Southern colonies and 
those of New England — a contrast which Is yet apparent. So early as 
1637, in all of the Puritan colonies it was ordered: "To the end that 
learning may not be buried in the graves of our forefathers, that every 
township after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty house- 
holders, shall appoint one to teach all children to write and read, and 
when any town shall be increased to the number of one hundred families, 
they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to in- 
struct youth so far as they may be fitted for the university." The estab- 
lishment of Harvard College followed soon after. 

In these colonies the fundamental idea was universal education, be- . 
ginning with the common school and ending with the university. In 
North Carolina, Tennessee and the other Southern States, the system was 
reversed. The college was first provided for, leaving the individual to 
prepare himself for receiving its benefits. The idea is expressed in the 
preamble to the act establishing the University of North Carolina: 
"Whereas in all regulated governments it is the duty of .every legisla- 
ture to consult the happiness of the rising generation, and endeavor to 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 421 

fit tliem for an honorable discharge of the social duties of life by paying 
strict attention to theii* education, and, Avhereas, an university supported 
by permanent funds and well endowed would have the most direct tend- 
ency to arrive at the above purpose; Be it enacted, etc.'''' The cause for 
this difference in the educational systems was due partly to the dissimi- 
lar character of the people of the two sections, but more to the peculiar 
condition of society in each. In New England even in the earlier days 
there were but comparatively few slaves, and it was found that the laborer 
is valuable just in proportion to his knowledge and skill, and therefore 
that it is economy to educate him. This, with the democratic spirit in- 
herent in the colonists, produced the common school, the great preserver 
of democracy. In tlie Soutliern colonies the educational system was 
based upon "the theory that labor should be absolutely under control, and 
needed no intelligence ; that culture, that knowledge of letters on the 
part of the slaves was especially dangerous to the system, that the only 
need of culture was on the part of the master, and this he was amply able 
to secure for himself. The intermediate class of persons — those who 
did not own slaves and who were not owned as slaves — occupied a most 
unfortunate position. The richer class had not the property interest in 
them, and did not consider them part of the same classification, because 
they were not slave owners."* These general ideas, modified by local 
influences, shaped education for more than two centuries. It is true that 
systems of common schools were established in nearly every State, but 
in no instance did such a System flourish in company with the institution 
of slavery. The wealthy expected no advantage to their children from 
it, for they sent them to pay-schools or provided private tutors. This 
gave the public schools the name of pauper schools, and they were 
looked upon in that light alone. The public sentiment in Virginia with 
regard to a State school system supported by taxation — and this senti- 
ment was common to the other Southern States — -is clearly stated in the 
following extract from the autobiography of Thomas Jefferson. He was 
called upon to formulate a plan of general education for that State. He 
says: "I accordingly prepared three bills, proposing three distinct grades 
of education, reaching all classes: First, elementary schools for all chil- 
ren generally, rich and poor; Second, colleges for a middle degree of 
instruction, calculated for the common purposes of life, and such as 
would be desirable for all who were in easy circumstances; and third, an 
ultimate grade for teaching sciences generally, and in their highest de- 
gree. The first bill proposed to lay off every county in hundreds, or 
wards of a proper size and population for a school, in which reading, 

* Gen. John Eaton. 



422 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

writinsr and common arithmetic should be tau^jht: and that the whole State 
should be divided into twenty-four districts, in each of which should be 
a school for classical learning, grammar, geography and the higher 
branches of numerical arithmetic. The second bill proposed to amend 
the constitution of William and Mary College, to enlarge its sphere of 
science, and to make it in fact a university. The third was for the es- 
tablishment of a library. Into the elementary bill they inserted a pro- 
vision which completely defeated it, for they left it to the court of each 
county to determine for itself when this act should be carried into execu- 
tion within their county. One j^rovision of the bill was, that the expense 
of these schools was to be borne by the inhabitants of the county, every 
one in proportion to his general tax rate. This would throw on wealth 
the education of the poor, and the justices, being generally of the more 
wealthy class, were unwilling to incur the burden, and I believe it was 
not suffered to commence in a single county." 

From this treatment of Mr. Jefferson's wise plan it is seen that al- 
though the popularity of a common school system demanded its enact- 
ment, it was, so far as possible, rendered inoperative. This may be said 
to have been the attitude of Tennessee on this subject, from the organi- 
zation of the State to the civil war. But while the common schools were 
thus neglected and ignored, these other great agencies in the dissemination 
of knowledge and the formation of character, the private school seminary 
and university in a great measure supplied their place, and in many re- 
spects were superior to the best public schools. In fact, among the edu- 
cated class of the South there was, perhaps, a larger percentage who 
were thoroughly well educated, than in the North. The church and the 
hustings also were potent factors in education. Through their influence 
intelligent citizens were made though they did not, and many of them 
could not, read the newspapers. 

The first tax for educational purposes was levied under an act passed 
in 1816 "to provide for the education of orphans of those persons who 
have died in the service of their country." The act provided "that it 
shall be the duty of each county court in the State at each and every 
court after the first day of January, 1816, to lay such a tax upon all tax- 
able property as shall be sufficient to educate the poor orphans who have 
no property to support and educate them and whose fathers were killed 
or have died in the service of their country in the late war." The county 
court was also empowered "to make such contract with any person or per- 
sons as they may think best calculated for that purpose, to board and ed- 
ucate such children as far as to attain the art of reading, writing and 
arithmetic so far as the rule of three." 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 423 

In 1817 an act was passed to provide for the leasing of the school 
lands, laid off under the act of Congress in 1806. It was made the duty 
of each county court of the State to appoint as many commissioners as 
they might think necessary whose duty it was to lease out the school 
lands and receive and pay over the proceeds to the county trustee for the 
use of the schools in the respective counties. It was also made the duty 
of the commissioners, when sufficient funds had been received, "to build 
a comfortable house for a common English school to be taught in, and to 
employ and pay a good teacher of English to instruct all children that 
may be sent thereto." It was further provided that when $100 or more, 
for which there was no immediate use, had accumulated in the hands of 
the county trustee, that officer should loan the money out upon good se- 
curity. Some interest in popular education was aroused by the passage of 
this act, but it was of short duration, and only a few schools were estab- 
lished. Various acts, some of them local in their application, were passed 
during the next ten years, but no changes of great importance were made. 

By provision of an act passed in 1823, five commissioners for each 
county were appointed, whose duty it was to appropriate "all the moneys 
received by them to the education of the poor, either by establishing 
poor schools, or by paying the tuition of poor children in schools which 
are, or may be established in their respective counties." From this act, 
establishing pauper schools, it is evident that no material advance toward 
a system of popular education had been made. The common school fund, 
■collected from the lands set apart by the act of 1806, amounted to little 
better than nothing. In fact, from the report of a committee of which 
James K. Polk was chairman, it is stated that only 22,705 acres of school 
land had been laid off, while according to the provision of the act, grant- 
ing 640 acres for each thirty-sis square miles, the number of acres loca- 
ted should have been nearly 450,000. In 1823 Congress repealed that 
portion of the act of 1806, fixing the price at which the land could be 
sold, and the General Assembly at its next session made provision to dis- 
pose of it at 12|- cents per acre. The title to the Indian lands embracing 
what is now West Tennessee, was extinguished in 1818, but no provision 
was made for the support of schools. 

About 1830 there beg^an what has been termed a revival in education 
which in spirit, if not in practice, extended throughout the United 
States. It was found that the schools were too dependent upon the teach- 
ers, or the presence or absence of a school man in the neighborhood; that 
the system lacked uniformity and effectiveness ; that even in the most ad- 
vanced States, it was insufficient to meet the demands of the rapidily in- 
creasing population and to resist the influx of ignorance from the Old 



424 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

World. Eminent educators, Horace Mann, Dr. C. E. Stowe, and others, 
gave the subject a thorough study, published books, and delivered ad- 
dresses until a conviction resulted that not only public welfare demanded 
a better educational machinery, but that it was the duty of the State to 
provide it. It resulted in establishing State supervision, graded schools, 
city and county supervision, normal schools and teachers institutes, ed- 
ucational journals and literature, and perhaps the most important of all, 
the abolition of all rate bills, and the entire support of the schools by 
tax.* Many States adopted the new system, the efficiency of which soon 
became apparent. 

The spirit of this revival extended to Tennessee, and the popular- 
ity of some system of State education rendered legislation upon it imper- 
ative. But although many of the best men in the State labored earnestly 
to secure an efficient system, the idea that free schools were established 
only for the benefit of the indigent portion of the community could not 
be eradicated, and failure was the result. As has been stated, the idea 
of a system of schools, as a measure of economy, for the benefit of the 
rich .as well as the poor, could not under the then existing state of society 
become general. 

In 1827 the General Assembly passed an act creating a school fund, 
to be composed of all the capital and interest of the State bank, except 
one-half of the principal sum already received ; the proceeds of the sales 
of the Hiwassee lands; all lands in the State which had been appropria- 
ted to the use of schools ; all the vacant and unappropriated lands to 
which the State had, or might thereafter obtain title; all the rents and 
mesne profits of all the school lands which had accrued and had not al- 
ready been appropriated ; all the funds denominated school or common 
school funds which had accrued from the sale of lands; the donations 
made by various parties to the State ; all the stock owned by the State in 
the old bank of the State at Knoxville, amounting to 400 shares, and the 
property of all persons dying intestate and without legal heirs. No pro- 
vision was then made for applying this fund to its intended use. Two 
years later an act was passed establishing a system of public schools. 
Under this system the counties were divided into school districts of con- 
venient size, in each of which five trustees were elected, whose duty it 
was to meet at the court house on the first Saturday of June in each 
year, for the purpose of electing not less than five, nor more than seven 
"discreet and intelligent citizens" for common school commissioners. 
The trustees were also given full power to employ and dismiss teachers, 
and to judge of their qualifications, capacity and character. The com- 

♦John EatoD.— Report of 1869. 



HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 425 

missioners were given control of all moneys for the use of schools. They 
were to divide the county into five districts, over each of which one com- 
missioner was to exercise general supervision. The interest arising from 
the school fund was to bo distributed among the school districts in propor- 
tion to the number of children in each, between the years of five and fif- 
teen, but before any district should be entitled to its share it was com- 
pelled to provide a comfortable schoolhouse. It was made the duty of 
the president and directors of the State bank to equalize and distribute 
the fund. . The commissioners were authorized to expend a sum not ex- 
ceeding $20 annually in the purchase of books, to be distributed to chil- 
dren whose parents were not able to provide them. The act also pro- 
vided that "it shall be the duty of the trustees to induce all children 
under the age of fifteen years to be sent to school, and no distinction 
shall be made between the rich and poor, but said school shall be open 
and free to all." 

Although the system as presented in this act embraced many excellent 
features, it lacked several essentials. The funds were not sufficient to 
support the schools without resort to rate bills, and the houses were to be 
provided by private subscription. There were also too many executive 
officers and no controlling and supervising head, either for the counties 
or for the State. The system was established in several of the counties, 
and in a few it met with some success. The commissioners for Maury 
County, in 1832, reported twenty-two teachers employed for terms rang- 
ing from one and one-half to eleven months with an average of four 
months. The wages ranged from $8 to $49 dollars per month, averaging 
$17. The total number of pupils enrolled during the year was 904. As 
the scholastic population of Maury County at that time exceeded 4,000, 
less than 25 per cent were enrolled in the public schools. The report 
from this county was one of the most satisfactory. 

The total funds which had been received for the support of academies 
up to this date amounted to $70,665.12. Thus the apparently munificent 
grant of 100,000 acres of land had yielded an aggregate of $1,139.76 to 
each county during a period of twenty-five years. While some of the 
counties had received the full amount, others had established no academy, 
and their portion of the fund remained in the State bank. 

In 1831 the profits arising from the State's stock in the Union Bank 
was set apart for the use of common schools; and upon the chartering of 
the Planters Bank of Tennessee and the Farmers & Merchants Bank 
of Memphis in 1833, the bonus of one-half of 1 per cent on the capital^ 
stock, payable annually to the State, was appropriated for the same pur- 
pose. A similar disposition was made of a bonus of 5 per cent of the net 



42G HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

profits of the Tennessee Fire & Marine Insurance Company. This was 
the condition of the public schools and the school fund at the adoption 
of the constitution of 1834. That instrument contains the following sec- 
tion concerning education: 

ARTICLE XI. 
Sec. 10. Knowledge, learning and virtue being essential to the preservation of repub- 
lican institutions, and the diffusion of the opportunities and advantages of education 
throughout the different portions of the State being highly conducive to the promotion of 
this end, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly id all future periods of this govern- 
ment to cherish literature and science. And the fund called the " Common School Fund " 
and all the lands and proceeds thereof, dividends, stocks, and all other property of every 
description whatever heretofore by law appropriated by the General Assembly of this State 
for the use of common schools, and all such as shall hereafter be appropriated, shall 
remain a perpetual fund, the principal of which shall never be diminished by legislative 
appropriation, and the interest thereof shall be inviolably appropriated to the support 
and encouragement of common schools throughout the State, and for the equal benefit of 
the people thereof; and no law shall be made authorizing said fund, or any part thereof, 
to be diverted to any other use than the support and encouragement of common schools; 
and it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to appoint a board of commissioners, for 
such term of time as they may think proper, who shall have the general superintendence 
of said fund, and who shall make a report of the condition of the same from time to time 
under such rules, regulations and restrictions as may be required by law, Fro mded, ihat if 
at any time hereafter a division of the public lands of the United States, or of the money 
arising from the sale of such lands, shall be made among the individual States, the part 
of such land or money coming to this State shall be devoted to the purpose of education 
and internal improvements, and shall never be applied to any other purpose. 

The following section affirms "that the above provisions shall not be 
construed to prevent the Legislature from carrying into effect any laws 
that have been passed in favor of the colleges, universities or academies." 

At the following session of the Legislature an act in accordance with 
the provisions of the constitution was passed, appointing a board of com- 
mon school commissioners consisting of the treasurer, comptroller and a 
superintendent of public instruction. The last named officer was to be 
elected by a joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly for a 
term of two years, and was to receive a salary of $1,500 per year. He 
was to collect the moneys, notes and other securities belonging to the 
common school fund, and in conjunction with the other members of the 
board he was to appoint an agent in each county. These agents were to 
perform the duties of the former bank agents and county school commis- 
sioners. They were to renew the securities for the debts due to the 
school fund every six months, calling in a certain per cent of the debt 
each time until the whole should be collected. It was then to be invested 
in bank stock by the Superintendent. 

During the session of 1839-40 the General Assembly passed an act 
to establish a system of public schools. The report of a committee ap- 
pointed to inquire into the condition of the common schools, and to re- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 427 

port a plan for the reorganization of the system, contains the following: 
"The subject of education has never yet received in Tennessee that at- 
tention which it so richly merits. Appropriation after appropriation, it 
is true, has been made to the support of common schools, but the system 
adopted under that name has heretofore proved inefficient and by no 
means equal to the expectation of those who fii-st established it. While 
this has been the case with tlie common school system, a prejudice has 
prevailed against the higher institutions of learning, academies and col- 
leges, neither of which consequently has received much from the munif- 
icence of the State. " 

The committee proposed to add to the existing school fund, amount- 
ing to a little more than $1,500,000, about $500,000 of the surplus re- 
venue, the interest on the whole of which it was thought would amount 
to $100,000 per annum. To the academy fund amounting to $50,000 
it was proposed to add $600,000 of the surplus revenue, and to divide 
$300,000 of the same fund among three universities, one for each division 
of the State. The system as adopted did not differ materially from that 
of 1829, except that the county trustee performed the duties which had 
previously devolved upon the county commissioners, and the superintend- 
ent of public instruction had control of the distribution of the annual 
fund. The apportionment was fixed upon a ratio of white children be- 
tween the ages of six and sixteen years, instead of five and fifteen as be- 
fore. The duties of the district trustees remained the same as under the 
old system. 

The school fund had already been constituted a portion of the capi- 
tal of the newly chartered State Bank, and of its dividends the faith of 
the State was pledged to the annual appropriation of $100,000 to school 
purposes. This annual revenue was increased by bonuses, taxes, fines 
and penalties. On the same conditions $18,000 was appropriated an- 
nually for a period of thirty years for the use of county academies, pro- 
vided the trustees would relinquish all claims against the State for debts 
due from citizens south of the French Broad and Holston Rivers. For the 
benefit of East Tennessee College and Nashville University, two half 
townships of land in the Ocoee District were granted on condition that 
they relinquish their claims, as had been provided in the case of acade- 
mies. 

The new system of common schools went into effect in 1838, and by 
the close of the following year 911 of the 987 districts in the State had 
chosen trustees and the majority of them had opened schools. The first 
apportionment of school funds was made in 1839, at a rate of 62i cents 
for each child of school age, the scholastic population being 185,432. 



428 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Upon tlie passage of the act creating the office of superinteudent of 
public instruction, Col. Robert H. McEwen was elected thereto, and con- 
tinued to hold the office until 1840. He was extensively engaged in bus- 
iness, being the principal member in two or three different firms. At the 
session of the Legislature of 1839-40, a joint committee of both houses 
was aT)pointed to investigate the affairs of his office. After a careful ex- 
amination they reported that he had speculated with the funds and mis- 
managed them, and that he was a defaulter to the amount of $121,169.05. 
His term of office expired soon after, and K. P. Currin was elected to 
succeed him. At the following April term of the Chancery Court of 
Franklin, a suit was instituted against McEwen and his securities to re- 
cover the amount of the defalcation. A decree having been obtained 
against the defendants, the case was appealed to the supreme court 
where the decree was affirmed. Upon a petition from the securities for 
relief, January 19, 1844, the General Assembly adopted a resolution 
appointing William Carroll, Nicholas Hobson, Willoughby Williams and 
John Marshall, commissioners, to compromise and settle the suit, declar- 
ino; that their decision should be final. The last two declined to serve 
and John Waters and M. W. Brown were appointed in their place. The 
commissioners decided that the securities should pay the sum of $10,- 
797.86 as a settlement in full of the claims against them. The attorneys 
for the State objected to this settlement on the grounds that the resolu- 
tion of the General Assembly making it final was unconstitutional. The 
objection was overruled by the supreme court, Judge Turley delivering 
the opinion. 

In 1844 the office of superintendent of public instruction was abol- 
ished, and the duties of the superintendent transferred to the state treas- 
urer. In 1848 the president and directors of the State Bank were con- 
stituted the board of common school commissioners. 

On April 19, 1847, a common school convention was held at Knox- 
ville at which were present representatives from Greene, Cocke, Hawkins, 
Claiborne, Jefferson, Blount, Knox, Boane, Marion and Anderson Coun- 
ties. A memorial to the Legislature was adopted, recommending the ap- 
pointment of a board of education for each county, whose duty it should 
be to examine applicants and to grant licenses to teachers; the j)ublica- 
tion of a monthly state journal* devoted exclusively to the cause of educa- 
tion throughout the State ; the appointment of a superintendent of public 
instruction, and the taxation of property for the support of schools. The 
memorial closed with a reference to the illiteracy in the State as shown 
by the census of 1840. The following is an extract: "At no period per- 
haps in the existence of our State, and by no means was the pride of our 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE 429 

people of all parties, denominations and classes more deeply wounded tlian 
when the returns of the census of 1840 were promulgated. * * The 
humiliating fact that there were in the State 58,531 white persons over 
twenty years of age who could neither read nor write, was heralded over 
this broad Union, and made the subject of sneering remark in almost every 
newspaper in the country. Our State stood within one of the bottom of 
the list in point of universal intelligence; the number of ignorant in 
North Carolina being a fraction greater." The number of white persons 
over twenty years of age in the State at^thattime was 249,008. Conse- 
quently the proportion of illiterates was a little more than 23^ per cent. 
The census of 1850 shows no improvement in the educational status of the 
State. At that time there were 316,409 white persons over twenty years 
of age, and of that number 77,522, or 24|^ per cent could neither read 
nor write. According to the census of 1860 the proportion of illiterates 
was 19-^-^ per cent, a gratifying improvement which was probably due in 
a great measure to the increased efficiency of the common schools. Dur- 
ing the preceding decade two laws were passed both of which did much 
to improve the school system. The first, passed in 1854, authorized the 
county court of each county to levy a tax of 25 cents on each poll, and 
2i cents on each $100 worth of proporty, for the use of common schools. 
If two-thirds of the justices of any county were not in favor of levying 
such a tax, it was made the duty of the court to order an election to be 
held to ascertain the wishes of the people. Under the provision of this 
law the school fund was nearly doubled. The following are the items 
which made up the fund in 1856 as reported by the treasurer: 

From the State treasury $100,000 00 • 

In lieu of land tax 2,000 00 

School tax on property 60,427 71 

School tax on polls 25,469 70 

Bonuses from banks and insurance companies 12,260 88 

Proceeds of escheated lands 1,617 34 

Interest on school bonds in Bank of Tennessee.. 951 37 

Total $202,727 00 

The scholastic population at that date being 289,609, the allowance 
for each child amounted to 70 cents, while previous to the passage of the 
act of 1854 it averaged about 40 cents. 

In 1856 it was enacted that each county court of the State, on the 
first Monday in January of each year, should appoint one or more com- 
missioners, whose duty it was "to examine all applicants to teach free 
schools." Another law of some importance was passed in 1851, author- 
izing commissioners to employ female teachers in any school, and to pay 
them in the same manner as was provided for male teachers. 

27 



430 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The first public graded school in the State was established in Nash- 
ville in 1855. Three years previous to that time Alfred Hume, long an 
eminent teacher in Nashville, was engaged by the city council to visit 
various cities in other States where public schools were in operation to 
investigate their practical works. From the information thus obtained 
he made a thorough and exhaustive report, which was favorably received, 
and preparations for the erection of a school building were soon after 
becun. Uf)on its completion six teachers, all gentlemen, were employed, 
and the schools formally opened for pupils February 26, 1855. The 
schools were popular and successful from the first. Other buildings 
were soon after provided and the facilities greatly increased. 

March 20, 1858, an act was passed incorporating the Memphis city 
schools. It placed them under the control of a board of visitors consist- 
ing of one member from each ward elected on the first Saturday in June 
of each year. They were authorized to levy a tax for school purposes 
not to exceed a ratio of $10 for every youth between the ages of eight 
and sixteen years. The act was amended two years later, and the limit 
of the tax levy increased to $15 for each white youth between the ages 
of six and eighteen years. The board was authorized to erect buildings 
at a cost not to exceed $75,000, except by a vote of the citizens. Per- 
mission was also given to the city council to issue bonds for the whole or 
a portion of the amount expended. Thus the two leading cities were 
supplied with efficient public schools, whose success and popularity did 
much to encourage the cause of education throughout the State, and the 
period from 1855 to 1861 was the most prosperous in the history of the 
common schools previous to the civil war. But, taken as a whole, the 
more than forty years of experimenting, altering, abolishing, amending 
and repealing, must be regarded as a stupendous failure when it is re- 
membered that in 1860 one adult white person out of every five had 
never seen the inside of a school-room. 

The same causes, however, which prevented the success of popular 
education promoted the cause of the private schools, academies and sem- 
inaries. These institutions sprang up all over the State, and many of 
them obtained a wide reputation for the excellence of their discipline 
and instruction. Indeed it is doubtful if any other State in the Union, 
according to its population, possessed a greater number of schools of high 
character. The result was that those persons able to avail themselves of 
the advantages of these institutions were as a rule thoroughly educated. 

During the war education was almost at a stand-still. The public 
schools were suspended, private' schools, acadamies and seminaries were 
closed, many of them never to be reopened. The buildings, too, suffered 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 431 

in the general devastation. Many were entirely destroyed, while others 
were used in turn by the opposing armies for hospitals and camps. 

At the close of hostilities the educational problem confronting the 
people of Tennessee was one of the most appalling ever presented to any 
people. Witli over 70,000 illiterate adult white persons at the beginning 
of the war, augmented by thousands, deprived of schools during the suc- 
ceeding four years, in addition to nearly 300,000 helplessly illiterate 
freedmen; the situation was not only overwhelmingly discouraging, 
but positively dangerous. Under the most favorable circumstances to 
educate such a population and fit it for intelligent citizenship, was an 
almost hopeless undertaking, but how much more so when impoverished 
by war and demoralized by a social revolution. The first step toward the 
reorganization of the common schools was taken in April, 1865, when 
the following resolution was presented to the Senate by John Trimble: 

Resolved, That it be referred to the committee on comon schools and education to 
take into early and earnest consideration the whole matter of free common schools, and 
at as early a date as practicable, report a system of free common schools to be put into 
operation throughout the State. That it also report what tax is necessary, and how the 
same may be raised. 

This resolution, under a suspension of the rules, was referred to the 
designated committee, of which AV. Bosson was chairman. The committee 
asked that the time to make the report be postponed until the next 
session, which was granted. The summer of 1805 was employed in read- 
ing the school laws of other States, corresponding with state superin- 
tendents, receiving their reports and suggestions, and perfecting the 
original bill. It was then sent to eminent educators in various States 
for criticism. On October 25, 1865, the bill, accompanied by a petition, 
was presented to the Senate. After undergoing many amendments, rejec- 
tions and reconsiderations in both houses, it finally became a law in 
March, 1867. Under its provisions the territorial divisions remained 
the same as under the old law. The officers provided were a state super- 
intendent, county superintendents, a board of education for each civil 
district, and three directors for each subdistrict. The money appro- 
priated consisted of the proceeds of the school fund, a property tax of 2 
mills upon the dollar, a poll tax of 25 cents, and a railroad tax, one-fourth 
of 1 per cent a mile for each passenger. The annual income from all 
these sources was paid on the warrant of the comptroller to the state 
superintendent, and by him distributed to the county superintendents, 
who acted as county treasurers, and paid all orders of the board of educa^ 
tion both for the civil districts and subdistricts. It was made obliga- 
tory upon the directors, or in case of their neglect, upon the board of 
directors, to maintain a free school in every subdistrict for a period of 



432 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

five months every year. If the school fund were insufficient to defray 
the expenses of such school the subdistricts were required to levy a tax 
sufficient to make up the deficiency. The benefits of the schools were 
free to all of legal age, both white and black without restriction, except 
that they were to be taught separately. 

Although the law was to go into effect with the election of school 
directors, on the first Saturday in June, 1867, so great was the opposition 
to it, and so many the obstacles to be overcome that it was nearly two 
years before it became generally established. The state superintendent's 
office, with Gen. John Eaton, Jr., at its head, was opened in October, 
18G7, at which time, as he reported, only here and there had any com- 
munity complied with any of the requirements of the law. With char- 
acteristic energy and devotion to the cause he set to work to put in 
motion the machinery of the new system. County superintendents were 
appointed, meetings of teachers and superintendents held, addresses de- 
livered, and all possible means used to arouse the educational sentiment 
of the people. The law, however, was too far in advance of public opin- 
ion. The support of the schools, by a tax upon property, met with little 
favor, while the granting of equal educational advantages to the colored 
children met with the most violent opposition. The following extract 
from county superintendents' report for 18G8 and 1869 illustrates the 
popular sentiment: "Monroe County has a strong element that is hos- 
tile to popular education, and sticks at nothing to embarrass the working 
of free schools." The superintendent of Davidson County reported that- 
among the great difficulties to be overcome, one of the greatest, was 
the organization of colored schools. There were no houses for that pur- 
pose, and there was a general prejudice against negro education, so that 
there were only a few white people who would, and dared assist, the col- 
ored people in building schoolhouses. " Most of the directors in this 
county (Weakley) shake their heads when I talk to them about colored 
schools, and say this is not the time for such schools. Others are will- 
ing to do all they can for them, but are afraid of public opinion." The 
following extract is from the report of the state superintendent: "Super-' 
intendents, directors and teachers resigned their positions on account of 
threats of personal violence. In July, 1869, sixty-three counties reported 
thirty-seven schoolhouses had been burned. Teachers were mobbed and 
whipped ; ropes were put around their necks, accompanied with threats of 
hanging ; ladies were insulted. Not a few teachers were dissuaded from 
teaching out their schools, after they had commenced them, by the reports 
widely circulated and emphatically repeated, that the State would not 
disburse any money for schools. In addition to these difficulties super- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



433 



intendents and directors often had to employ those not so well qualified 
as they desired ; instead of comfortable schoolhouses teachers often tanght 
in a mere shell of a building ; indeed, schools in the summer were report- 
ed to be taught under the shade of trees. Colored schools found most 
pupils compelleil to begin with the alphabet. White schools sometimes 
exhibited a hardly less deplorable lack of knowledge of letters. One 
school reported, out of seventy-five enrolled, sixty-eight beginning the 
alphabet." 

One of the most serious difficulties encountered was in securing a 
distribution of the school fund. The money raised for school purposes, 
in 1866, was employed by the State as a loan to liquidate the interest 
claims upon the railroad, for the payment of which the faith and credit 
of the State stood pledged, consequently the apportionment and distri- 
bution of the fund for that year did not take place until the fall of 1868, 
the amount being 48 and seven one-hundredths cents for each child. 
The distribution of the fund for 1867 was made in February, 1869, and 
amounted to about ,^400,000, or !|1.15 for each child. Under the act of 
1867 there was raised for that year, by several cities, counties and civil 
districts, by voluntary local taxation, and paid out for the use of their pub- 
lic schools an amount aggregating about $130,000. All educational 
efforts, in the State, however, were soon after almost paralyzed by a 
decision of the supreme court, declaring that portion of the act jDroviding 
for civil district taxation unconstitutional. The work of organization, 
however, was pushed on, and taking into consideration the unsettled 
condition of the country, the progress was exceedingly rapid. The state 
superintendent's report of the work up to September, 1869, gives the 
followinof results: 



Number of schoolhouses built 

Number of school house sites procured. . . . 

Number of schools opened 

Number of teachers employed 

Number of different pupils in attendance. 



White. 



456 

226 

3,405 

i6b]627 



Colored. 



172 

63 

498 



25,818 



Total. 



628 

289 

3,903 

4,614 

185,845 



The work of establishing systems of public schools in the South after 
the war was greatly aided by the munificence of George Peabody, who, 
in 1867, placed in the hands of a board of trustees over $2,000,000, in 
money and securities, for the encouragement of education in the Southern 
States. This sum two years later he increased by nearly $1,500,000. 
To the donation of Mr. Peabody was added a gift of 130,000 volumes of 
school books from D. Appleton & Co. and A. S. Barnes & Co. These 
donations were made for the benefit of both races, white and colored, 



434 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

■witliout distinction. In November, 1867, Eev. Dr. Sears, the general 
ao-ent of the trustees of the fund, visited Tennessee, and made arrange- 
ments to assist normal school instruction and to aid in the establishment 
of public schools in towns and cities after a certain amount had been done 
by the citizens. In this way graded schools were opened in Knoxville, 
Chattanooga, Cleveland, Clarksville, and other localities "where schools 
of that quality would otherwise have been impossible." 

Some mention has been made of the attempt to establish colored 
schools. It was one of the most difficult tasks in the reorganization of 
the educational system. It was impossible that it should be otherwise. 
No matter what system or what set of men attempted it, the old prejudices 
were not ready to witness its progress in quiet. The general judgment 
that it must be done — that it was better that it should be done — for the 
whites as well as the blacks, did not suJEfice to prevent opposition, aMiough 
it gradually overcame it. The first attempt toward the education of the 
colored people was made in the autumn of 1862, when Miss Lucinda 
Humphrey, a hospital nurse, opened an evening school for the colored 
employes of the hospital at Memphis. Others followed, increasing from 
year to year, until in the winter of 1864-65 a method was provided for 
the colored people to enter actively into the work of supporting their own 
schools, and after which, jn about five months, they paid for the purpose 
some $4,000, and the attendance was reported in and around Memphis as 
high as 1,949 in April, 1865, before the organization of the Freedmen's 
Bureau. 

In Clarksville schools were established for them in 1864, and by the 
spring of 1865 had realized an attendance of some 300. During the same 
period Eev. J. G. McKee and his associates opened similarly flourishing 
schools in Nashville, and others did the same in Murfreesboro, Chatta- 
nooga, Knoxville, and other points.* 

In the spring of 1865 the Freedmen's Bureau was established, and 
during the next four years disbursed over 1^150,000 in the State, the 
greater part of which was bestowed upon colored schools. Indeed a large 
part of the colored schoolhouses would not have been built without the 
aid thus obtained. In connection with this bureau various organizations 
operated efficiently, both in sustaining schools and in supplying well 
qualified and competent teachers. Several of these organizations ex- 
pended large amounts of money, estimated in 1809 at an aggregate of 
$300,000. At the close of the seventh decade popular education in 
Tennessee was higher than at any previous period in the history of 
the State. The school law of 1867 was the first legislative attempt to- 

*Report of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1869. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 435 

ward a thoroughly appointed state system of public instruction in Ten- 
nessee, and a great work had been accomplished under it ; yet in a little 
more than two years after its enactment it was repealed. The cause of 
its failure to sustain itself is explained in the following extract from the 
report of the state superintendent for 1874: 

"It is enough to say that the experiment was inopportunely made, 
and the projected system was ill-adapted to the prevailing condition of 
our people. The echoes of the war had not died away. Political and 
social disorder still prevailed throughout the State, and a people, not yet 
assured of their civil status, were not in a favorable condition to be very 
profitably concerned about a costly system of popular education, or to be 
cheerfully taxed for its support. Thus, lacking popular favor and confi- 
dence, the experiment failed, and may be now advantageously cited, in 
contrast with the ante bellum 'system,' as demonstrating that in public 
school enterprises, as in all other matters, as much harm may often result 
from attempting too much as from being content with too little; and 
further, that an active popular sympathy is essential to the success of any 
system of public instruction." 

The repeal of the act of 1867 took place December 14, 1869. The 
state superintendent and county superintendents were ordered to turn 
over all the funds remaining in their hands to the comptroller of the 
State, and the former was given ninety days to wind up the affairs of his 
office. During the ten years from 1860 to 1870 no county in the State had 
more than three sessions of public schools, while many had no more than 
one. The private schools too were not so numerous, and many who had 
previously been able to pay tuition for their children were rendered un- 
able to do so by the misfortunes of the war. It is little to be wondered 
at that illiteracy increased most lamentably. While the white population 
increased but 13 per cent during the decade the increase in the number 
of white illiterates was 50 per cent. Upon the adoption of the constitu- 
tion of 1870 the clause in the old constitution concerning education was 
reaffirmed. It was further provided that " no school established or aided 
under this section shall allow white and negro children to be received as 
scholars together in the same school." 

In July, 1870, an act to reorganize the public schools was passed. By 
this law the whole subject of popular education was virtually remitted to 
the counties, without imposing any obligations upon them to take action 
in the premises. No State levies upon property for school purposes 
were made, and a tax of 50 cents was imposed upon polls. The only offi- 
cers provided for were three commissioners for each civil district, who 
collectively constituted a county board of education, and into whose 



436 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

hands was placed the entire management of the schools. A subsequent 
act made the state treasurer superintendent of public instruction, ex 
officio, but no special duties were imposed upon him, and "he was a super- 
intendent without a charge and without authority." The absolute failui'e 
of this system, if it can be called a system, induced the State Teachers' 
Association to recommend to the agent of the Peabody Fund the pro- 
priety of appropriating $1,500 during the year 1872 toward the support 
of an agent to co-operate with the state treasurer, and to work under 
the immediate supervision of the association. This recommendation 
was adopted, and J. B. Killebrew appointed agent. He was soon after 
made assistant superintendent of public instruction, and in March, 1872, 
made a report which was published. It was found that less than thirty 
counties had levied a tax for school purposes, and in the remainder no 
action whatever had been taken. "In many of the counties where a 
school tax has been levied, commissioners have been elected who are op- 
posed to any system of public instruction and feel a greater desire to 
make public schools unpopular by making them inefficient and of but 
little value, than to see them gaining ground and winning their way to 
public favor by educating, elevating and refining the public heart and 
mind. In neighborhoods where a high order of intelligence prevails, 
and where a decided interest has been manifested by the best citizens, 
good schools exist under the county system. On the other hand, where 
these conditions do not exist, free schools of the most worthless character 
are kept up a few weeks in the year, and taught by men whose chief dis- 
tinction or fitness for the position lies in the severity and cruelty of 
their discipline and their adhesion to text-books used half a century 
ago. "* It was estimated by the assistant superintendent that during the 
year 1872 not one-fifth of the scholastic population of the State had any 
means of education. In some counties visited by him there was not a 
single school, public or private, in operation, "nor were there any efforts 
being made by the citizens to remedy the deficiency. " He justly pro- 
nounced the system then in operation "a farce and utterly devoid of 
vitality." At this time the trustees of the Peabody Fund rendered valu- 
able assistance to many cities, towns and districts in maintaining schools. 
In 1871 an aggregate of $24,900 was furnished to fifty-five schools; in 
1872 a sifnilar amount was granted. 

No organization has done more to promote the educational interests 
of Tennessee than the State Teachers' Association, Avhich was organized 
in July, 1865. Aside from the various measures of practical importance 
that owe their projection to this body, its meetings have awakened the 

♦Report of J. B. Killebrew. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 437 

public mind to the great need of better educational facilities. To this 
association the present school law owes its existence^ At their meeting 
in 1872 a committee was appointed to prepare a draft of a school law, 
and present it to the Legislature with a memorial asking for its adoption. 
In their communication to the Legislature the committee said: 

"The friends of popular education- from every part of Tennessee 
united together under the name of 'The Tennessee State Teachers' Asso- 
ciation' have been laboring for years past, and labor without money and 
without price, to procure the adoption of a system of public free schools 
to which the sons of the poor and the rich shall come with feelings of 
equality and independence ; schools whose excellence shall attract all the 
children of our State, and which shall become the objects of pride and 
affection to every one of our citizens." "The system recommended by 
the association is one combining the State, the county and the district 
systems, retaining the valuable features of all and thus harmonizing all 
conflicting views as to different systems." 

The form of the school law presented with the memorial was amended 
in a few particulars, and finally passed both houses in March, 1873. 
This law has since suffered but little modification. It provides for the 
appointment of a state superintendent, county superintendent and dis- 
trict school directors. The state superintendent is nominated by the 
governor and confirmed by the Senate. He is allowed an annual salary 
of ^1,995, and is recj^uired to devote his entire time and attention to his 
duties. His duties are to collect and disseminate information in rela- 
tion to public schools; to make tours of inspection among the public 
schools throughout the State ; to see that the school laws and regulations 
are faithfully executed; to prepare and distribute blanks, blank forms for 
all returns required by law; to appoint inspectors of schools; to require 
reports from county superintendents, or some one appointed in his 
place ; to prescribe the mode of examining and licensing teachers ; to re- 
port to the comptroller on the 1st of December of each year the schol- 
astic population, and to report to the governor annually all information 
regarding the schools. 

The county superintendents are elected biennially by the county 
courts of each county, which also fixes their salaries. They are required 
to visit the schools, confer with teachers and directors, to examine teach- 
ers and issue certificates, to report to the county trustee the scholastic 
population of their respective counties, and to report to the state super- 
intendent whenever required. 

The law provides for the election of three directors for each school 
district for a term of three vears, one going out each year. The election 



438 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

is held on the first Thursday in August by the sheriff of each county. 
The directors are required to explain and enforce the school law, and for 
this purpose to visit the schools within the district from time to time ; to 
employ teachers and, if necessary, to dismiss them; to suspend or 
dismiss pupils when the prosperity of the school makes it necessary; 
to use the school fund in such manner as will best promote the 
interest of public schools in their respective districts; to hold regu- 
lar meetings and call meetings of the people of the districts for consulta- 
tion; to keep separate and apart the schools for white and colored chil- 
dren; to disburse the school funds; to take care of the public school 
property, and to report to county superintendents. 

The clerk and treasurer of the district, who is elected from the board 
of directors, is required to take the census of all persons between six and 
eighteen years of age, in the month of July, to gather statistics and to 
keep a report of proceedings. He is allowed 2 cents per capita for tak- 
ing the scholastic population, and that constitutes his compensation for 
his year's service as clerk. Public school officers and teachers are en- 
joined, under a penalty of not less than $200 nor more than $500 and 
removal, for having any pecuniary interest in the sale of school books, 
furniture or apparatus, or from acting as agent for the sale of such, or 
from receiving any gift for their influence in recommending or procuring 
the use in the school of any of the articles mentioned. 

A certificate of qualification is required of every teacher. Teachers 
are required to keep a daily register of facts pertaining to their respect- 
ive schools. Written contracts must be made with teachers, and for like 
services of male and female teachers like salaries shall be paid. The 
schools are open to all persons between the ages of six and twenty- 
one years residing within the school district, and in special cases those 
residing in different districts, provided that white and colored persons 
shall not be taught in the same school. Orthography, reading, writing, 
arithmetic, grammar, geography, elementary geology of Tennessee, his- 
tory of the United States and the elementary principles of agriculture 
are the prescribed branches, while vocal music may also be taught. No 
other branches are to be introduced except as provided for by local tax- 
ation, or allowed by special regulations upon the payment of such rates 
of tuition as may be prescribed. 

The district directors are given power to make contracts of consolidation 
with the trustees, teachers or other authorities of academies, seminaries, 
colleges or private schools, by which the public schools may be taught 
in such institutions, provided that the branches of study designated as 
the studies of public schools shall be taught free of any charge in such 



> HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 439 

consolidated schools. The permanent school fund of the State, as recog- 
nized by the constitution, was declared to be $1,500,000, to which was 
added the unpaid interest amounting, January 1, 1873, to $1,012,500. 
For the entire amount, $2,512,500, a certificate of indebtedness was is- 
sued, signed by the governor, under the great seal of the State, and de- 
posited with the comptroller of the treasury. Interest is paid on this 
amount at the rate of 6 per cent, the payments being made on the 1st of 
July and the 1st of January each year. To the permanent state fund is 
added from time to time the proceeds of all escheated property, of all 
property accruing to the State by forfeiture, of all lands sold and bought 
in for taxes, of the personal effects of intestates having no kindred en- 
titled thereto by the laws of distribution, and donations made to the 
State for the support of public schools, unless otherwise directed by the 
donors. 

The annual school fund is composed of the annual proceeds of the 
permanent school fund, any money that may come into the state treasury 
for that purpose from any source whatever, the poll tax of $1 on every 
male inhabitant of the State subject thereto, and a tax of 1 mill on the 
dollar's worth of property subject to taxation. This last tax, together 
with the poll tax, is paid over to the county trustee in the county where 
collected, and distributed- to each school district, according to scholastic 
population. When the money derived from the school fund and taxes 
imposed by the State on the counties is not sufficient to keep up a public 
school for five months in the year in the school districts in the county, 
the county court may levy an additional tax sufficient for this purpose, or 
submit the proposition to a vote of the people ; and a tax to prolong the 
schools beyond the five months may also be levied. This tax must be 
levied on all property, polls and privileges liable to taxation, but shall 
not exceed the entire State tax. Taxes so levied by the county are col- 
lected in the same manner as other county taxes, and paid over to the 
county trustee for distribution. The State treasurer and county trustee 
are required to keep the school moneys separate from State and county 
funds. All school moneys in the treasury on the first Monday in October 
and April of every year, are apportioned by the comptroller among the 
several counties according to the population. The warrant for the amount 
due each county is drawn in the favor of the county trustee. The money 
received by him he is required to report immediately to the county 
superintendent and to the directors of each school district. 

The law further provides for schools in incorporated cities and towns, 
the boards of mayor and aldermen of which are authorized to levy and 
collect an additional tax to that imposed by "the general provisions of the 



440 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

school law, upon all taxable polls, privileges and property within the cor- 
porate limits. Where such schools are established authority is given for 
the appointment of a board of education. The law also requires the 
governor to appoint a State Board of Education consisting of six mem- 
bers, holding their office for a term of six years, two retiring each year. 
The governor is ex officio president of the board. The principal duty of 
this board is to provide for and manage the State Normal School. 

The law went into effect immediately after its passage, and extraordin- 
ary efforts for the multiplication and elevation of the public schools 
were made during the succeeding year. John M. Fleming was appointed 
superintendent of public instruction, and made his first report in Decem- 
ber, 1874. From this report it is found that in 1873 there were thirty- 
six counties which levied no property tax, and thirty-two which levied no 
poll tax. The remaining counties levied a poll tax of from 5 cents to $1, 
and property tax from 2|^ to 30 cents. Sixty-five counties levied no privi- 
lege tax. The tax levies for 1874 were about the same as for the year 
before. The total amount of school money received by the counties for 
the year ending August 81, 1874, was $998,459.10, of which $205,951.53 
,was from the State, $522,453.17 from the counties, $112,636.17 from dis- 
tricts, and $97,418.23 from other sources. During the same time $34,- 
300 was received from the Peabody Fund, and distributed among sixty- 
two schools. The scholastic population in 1874 numbered 420,384, of 
which 103,856 were colored. The number of white teachers employed 
was 4,630, colored 921.* The average number of months taught during 
the year for the State was 3.85, The average pay of teachers per month 
was $33.03. 

Thus a State school system was once more inaugurated, and this time 
with better prospects of success, yet many difficulties and considerable 
opposition were yet to be overcome. The financial distress of the State 
rendered retrenchment in the State expenditures a necessity, and many 
persons friendly to the cause of popular education, in their desire to 
extricate the State from her difficulties fav(^red the reduction of the 
appropriation for schools. In 1877 the Legislature went so far as to 
pass an act abolishing the office of county superintendent and practi- 
cally abolished that of the state superintendent also. This false step 
was arrested only by the governor's veto. 

The superintendent's report for the year ending August 31, 1880, 
shows a marked improvement not only in the number of schools, but also 
in the character of the instruction afforded. The scholastic population 
at that time numbered 544,862, of whom 290,141 were enrolled in the 

*Marion County not reporting. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 441 

public schools, and 41,068 in private schools. The number of teachers 
employed was white, 3,506, and colored 1,247. The aggregate receipts 
from all sources for school purposes amounted to $930,734.33. Out of 
the ninety-four counties in the State only ten failed to levy a school tax. 
The census reports of 1880 present conclusive evidence of increased 
efl&ciency in the schools of the State. During the preceding decade the 
increase in the number of white illiterates was only eleven and four- 
tenths per cent, while the increase in white population was twenty-one 
and seven-tenths per cent. This in contrast with the report of 1870 is 
a gratifying improvement. The following statistics for the year ending 
August 31, 1885, afford still further proof that the public schools 
throughout the State are steadily advancing. The scholastic population 
numbered 609,028, of whom 156,143 were colored; 7,214 teachers 
taught in 6,605 schools, with an aggregate enrollment of 373,877, and 
an average daily attendance of 150,502 white, and 41,901 colored pupils. 
Total amount of school money received, including the balance on hand 
at the beginning of the year, was $1,308,839.17. The number of school- 
houses in the State was 5,066, of which 289 were erected during the 
year. A great improvement in the character of the houses is noticed. 
While ten years before a large part of the houses built were logs, out of 
289 built in 1880 only fifty-nine were of that kind. The estimated value 
of school property at that time was $1,375,780.86. The following table 
shows the average number of days in which the schools were in session 
for each year since the establishment of the present system : 

1874 77 1880 68 

1875 67 1881 86 

1876 71.9 1882 73 

1877 70 1883 78 

1878 77 1884 78 

1879 69 1885 80 

For the past three years the office of superintendent of public in- 
struction has been filled with marked ability by Thomas H. Paine, who 
is doing much to sustain and advance the educational interests of the 
State. Although the condition of the public schools is not entirely sat- 
isfactory, the progress that has been made during the past ten years has 
assured their permanency. Heretofore one of the greatest impediments 
to efficient schools has been the lack of competent teachers, but this ob- 
stacle is gradually being removed. The normal schools are annually 
sending out increased numbers of trained teachers, while institutes and 
associations are doing much to improve those already in the work. It 
can hardly be expected, however, that the best results will be attained 
until the school revenue is in some way sufficiently increased to furnish 



442 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

the youtli of the State an average of more than seventy-five days of 
school in a year. During the winter of 1884-85 an educational exhibit 
was made at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition at 
New Orleans, This department was placed under the direction of Prof. 
Frank Goodman, of Nashville, who by energy and persistency succeeded 
in presenting an exhibit which did not suffer in comparison with any 
other State. All the leading colleges, seminaries and high schools in 
the State were represented. 

In the early part of this chapter the history of Cumberland College 
was traced to the election of Dr. Priestly as president of the board of 
trustees in 1810. The exercises of the institution were conducted by 
him until 181G, when they were suspended and so continued until his re- 
election for a second term in 1820. The college was then re-opened, but 
was soon compelled to suspend again on account of the death of Dr. 
Priestly, which occurred in February, 1821. The institution tli^en re- 
mained closed until the autumn of 1821, when Dr. Phillip Lindsley, who 
had just refused the presidency of Princeton College, was prevailed up- 
on to take charge of it. At that time, of the 240 acres originally granted 
to the college, only about six remained. This formed the old college 
campus and included the site of the present medical college. In 1825 
a farm of 120 acres near the college was purchased at $60 per acre. Por- 
tions of this land were soon after sold for about $17,000, leaving thirty 
acres. Dr. Lindsley reorganized the institution, and it was opened for 
the winter session of 1824-25 with thirty-five students. It was his aim 
and desire to make Nashville the great educational center of the South- 
west. He planned the building of a university to consist of several 
colleges, like those of Oxford and Cambridge, Accordingly on November 
27, 1826, the Legislature passed an act to incorporate the trustees and offi- 
cers of Cumberland College under the name of the University of Nash- 
ville. The following is the preamble to the act: 

Whereas, it is represented to be the wish of the trustees of Cumberland College to 
erect several additional halls and colleges besides that heretofore known and still to be 
known by the name of Cumberland College on their grounds near Nashville, and to estab- 
lish additional schools thereon, and by a union of the whole to build up a university and 
thereby to enlarge their sphere of operations and increase their means of usefulness. 

This change, however, proved to be only in name, as the university 
continued with the same departments and under the same organization 
as the college. The number of students gradually increased until the 
summer of 1836, when the attendance reached 126. From that time 
until 1850, when the institution was suspended, the attendance decreased. 
This was owing in a great measure to the large number of similar insti- 
tutions which had been established in the State. In an address delivered 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. MS 

in 1847, Dr. Lindsley says: "When this college was revived and reor- 
ganized at the close of 1824, there were no similar institutions in actual 
operation within 200 miles of Nashville. There were none in Alabama, 
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Middle or West Tennessee. There are 
now some thirty or more within that distance, and nine within fifty 
miles of our city." 

A report on the university made in 1850 by a committee consisting 
of L. P. Cheatham, F. B. Fogg, E. H. Ewing, John M. Bass and R. J. 
Meigs, has the following concerning the attendance: "During the whole 
of this time (1824-50) the number of students has been larger than that 
of any other institution in Tennessee, when the following facts are taken 
into consideration. There is no preparatory school attached to the uni- 
versity, and the students have usually been members of the college 
classes proper. Most students when they come to enter the University 
of Nashville, come to enter the junior class, and usually two-thirds of the 
whole number of students are members of the junior and senior classes." 

The whole number of regular graduates with the degree of Bachelor 
of Arts from 1813 to 1824 were 18; from 1824 to 1850, 414. The total 
number of students matriculated in the regular college classes during the 
latter period was 1,059. 

Dr. Lindsley was a thorough scholar, and under his management the 
college maintained a high standard. "Under its influence grew up a 
cultivated, liberal community; through its influence and by the efforts 
of the young men sent forth to engagO in and to encourage education, 
sprang up twenty colleges within fifty miles of Nashville, to divide, dis- 
tract and compete with the university, and at the "same time to accom- 
plish much good. It was the inevitable conflict of localities which had 
to demonstrate that every village cannot be a seat of learning. It pre- 
pared the soil in which great institutions take deep root and flourish — 
the soil which has developed the public school system and attracted 
hither Vanderbilt University, the Normal School, and brought here the 
risk, Tennessee Central and Baptist Normal and Theological Colleges to 
engage in the great work of the elevation of the Afiican race of 
America."* 

The university exercises were suspended in 1850, the old college 
building being transferred to the medical department, which was then 
organized. For several years previous the organization of a medical 
department of the university had been under contemplation. So early 
as 1843 a committee of the board of trustees reported it advisable to 
at once establish a medical school. The subject continued to be agitated 

*H. M. Doak. 



444 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

by medical men, but nothing definite was accomplished until the latter 
part of 1850, when an address was presented to the trustees of the uni- 
versity by prominent physicians of Nashville asking privilege to establish 
a medical department with entire independence of management. This 
was granted. The Jboard then elected the following corps of instructors: 
John M. Watson, M. D., obstetrics and diseases of women and children; 
A. H. Buchanan, M. D., surgery; W. K. Bowling, M. D., institutes and 
practice of medicine; C. K. Winston, M. D., mafcria medica and phar- 
macy; Eobert M. Porter, M. D., anatomy and physiology; J. Ber en 
Lindsley, M. D., chemistry and pharmacy. Winston was chosen presi- 
dent of the faculty, and Lindsley, dean. A lease of the university build- 
ing was made for a term of twenty-two years, which has since been twice 
extended, the last time in 1875, making the lease expire in October, 
1905. 

The first class, numbering thirty-three, was graduated in February, 
1852. The institution immediately took rank with the first medical schools 
in the United States, both as to the excellence of its training, and the 
number of students. In 1857 there were 137 graduates, and in 1861, 
141. Its alumni in 1880 numbered 2,200. In 1874 the Vanderbilt 
University adopted the faculty of the medical department of Nashville 
University with the agreement that students matriculating in the former 
institution shall be graduated under its auspices, and receive its diploma, 
while the matriculates of the latter shall be graduated as before. 

In 1853-54 a portion of the land still remaining was sold and new 
buildings were erected a short distance from the old college. In the fall 
of the latter year the literary department was re-opened with an attend- 
ance of forty pupils, and three graduates at the end of the year. In 1855 
it was vinited with the Western Military Institute, of which Gen. Bushrod 
R. Johnson was superintendent. It was conducted on the military plan 
until the breaking out of the civil war, when the buildings were used as 
a hospital. 

After the close of the war the trustees of the university located the 
Montgomery Bell Academy in the buildings of the literar}' department 
of the university. This school was founded by the bequest of Montgom- 
ery Bell, a prominent iron manufacturer, who left ^20,000 for that pur- 
pose. "By the will of the founder, gratuitous instruction is given to 
twenty-five boys, not less than ten nor more than fourteen years of age, 
'who are uukble to support and educate themselves, and whose parents 
are unable to do so,' from th^ counties of Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery 
and Williamson, Tennessee." The academy continued to occupy a portion 
of the university building until 1881, when a separate building was 



W^V1]0 




HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE, ^ 445 

erected for it, to make room for the increasing attendance of the normal 
college. 

This latter institution was the re-habilitation in a more vital form of 
the literary and scientific departments of the university, giving them a 
larger and more comprehensive sphere in the direction of popular educa- 
tion in the South. Its establishment was accomplished through the aid 
granted by the trustees of the Peabody Fund, whose aim it had been from 
the first to assist the cause of education in the South by providing 
trained teachers rather than by direct support of schools. Ifc was there- 
fore .determined to establish one or more thoroughly equipped normal 
colleges. In 1867 Dr. Lewis proposed to give $2,000 to aid a normal 
school in Tennessee, if one should be established. For various reasons 
this could not then be accomplished, but $800 and $1,000 was granted to 
Fisk University and the Lookout Mountain school, respectively, both of 
which organized normal departments. 

In 1873 a bill for the establishment of a State normal school was 
presented to the Legislature, and passed three readings in the Senate and 
two in the House, but was defeated for want of time at the close of the 
session. This bill made provision for supplementing $6,000 annually 
from the Peabody Fund by an appopriation of an equal amount from the 
treasury of the State, At the next session of the General Assembly a 
similar bill was introduced, but it failed in the Senate. A bill without an 
appropriation clause was then prepared ; this became a law in March, 1875. 
It merely provided for the appointment of a State board of education 
with authority to establish a normal school or schools, but without any 
means of accomplishing it. The University of Nashville, however, 
promptly tendered to the board its buildings, grounds and funds, with 
the exception of those appropriated to the medical college; which propo- 
sition the trustees of the Peabody Fund supplemented by an offer of 
$6,000 a year for two years. These offers were accepted. 

With a temporary fund of $1,200 thus secured the normal college was 
formally opened by the State board of education at the capital Decem- 
ber 1, 1875, with Eben S. Stearns, LL.D., as president, assisted by a 
corps of teachers of the highest qualification. Although the school 
opened late in the season and the project was wholly new to most of the 
.people, no less than fifteen candidates presented themselves for examina- 
tion, and before the first term of ten weeks had closed forty-seven had 
been admitted. At the end of the school year the number had increased 
to sixty. It continued to grow in popularity and flourished beyond ex- 
pectation. The State, however, failed to make any appropriation for its 
support. 

28 



446 HISTOBY OF TENNESSEE. 

In his report in 1879 Dr. Sears says of the institution: "The 
fnnds on which we relied for its support from the State, and in part, also, 
from the university, have failed us. Besides, as a part of the college 
building is still occupied by the Montgomery Bell Academy, which is in 
charge of the university trustees, the normal college has already out- 
grown its narrow accommodations, and its numbers are rapidly increasing. 
Kepresentations of our necessities were made during a visit of three 
weeks last year, both to the same board of education and to the trustees 
of the university, neither of which felt authorized to give any hope of 
relief. Since that time the Legislature has met and declined to make 
any appropriation. It has, therefore, become a serious question whether 
some change, possibly involving a removal, shall not be made, to secure 
ample accommodations and better support for the future." 

The State of Georgia was desirous of securing the normal college, and 
made liberal offers to the trustees of the Peabody Fund. Arrangements 
for the transfer of the institution had been nearly completed, when the 
trustees of the University of Nashville made the following proposition: 
To remove the Montgomery Bell Academy and turn over the buildings 
occupied by it to the normal school ; Ito appropriate $10,000, to be raised 
by mortgage on the property, or otherwise, and to be expended in im- 
provements or the purchase of apparatus ; and to appropriate the interest 
on $50,000 of Tennessee bonds held by the university, provided enough 
be reserved to pay the interest on the $10,000 borrowed. The citizens 
of Nashville also raised by subscription a fund of $4,000 as a guarantee 
that the Legislature of 1881 should make an appropriation for the benefit 
of the college. These efforts prevented the removal of the institution 
and secured its permanent location at Nashville. 

On April 6, 1881, $10,000 was appropriated for its support by the 
General Assembly. It was provided that one pupil for each senatorial 
flistrict in the State should be admitted upon proper recommendation, 
and that such pupil shall receive at least $100 per annum for two years 
out of the funds of the school; $2,500 was at the same time appropri- 
ated for scholarships for colored students. Two years later this amount 
was increased to $3,300, and that part of the former act requiring a 
portion of the annual appropriation to be used in paying scholarships 
was repealed. The colored students are educated in the normal depart- • 
ments of Fisk University, Eoger Williams University, Knoxville College 
and the Central Tennessee College. The normal school is now known as 
the Tennessee State Normal College of the University of Nashville, the 
chancellor of the university being the president of the coUege. The 
college buildings, situated in the center of the campus sixteen acres 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 447 

in extent, are among the finest and best appointed in the South. The 
college proper is a stone structure, having a center building and two 
•wings about 225 feet front and 110 feet depth in the center, and 60 feet 
depth in each of the wiugs. The building is two stories high. An ele- 
gant chancellor's residence was added a few years ago. 

Since its organization the institution has been under the direction 
of Dr. Stearns, who has conducted it with signal ability, and has retained 
the implicit confidence of all interested in its success. The following is 
the present faculty: Eben S. Stearns, D.D., LL.D., president; Julia A. 
Sears, L.I. ; Lizzie Bloomstein, L.L; Benjamin B. Penfield, A.M.; Mary 
L. Cook, L.I., B.A. ; Julia A. Doak, John L. Lampson, A. M. ; Willianj 
C. Day, Ph.D.; John E. Bailey, teacher of vocal music; Mary E.W, 
Jones, lady director of gymnasium; George H. Hammersley, gentlemaij 
director of gymnasium ; Hon. William B. Eeese, lecturer on common and 
civil law; Julia A. Sears, librarian. 

The first State board of education consisted of Gov. Porter, ex officio 
president; J. B. Lindsley, secretary: Edwin H. Ewing, Samuel Watson, 
R. W. Mitchell, L. G. Tarbox and J. J. Reese. The present board is as 
follows: Gov. William B. Bate, ex officio president; Dr. J. Berrien 
Lindsley, secretary and treasurer; Hon. W. P. Jones, M. D., Supt. F. M. 
Smith, Prof, Frank Goodman, Hon. Leon Trousdale, Hon. Thomas H, 
Paine. 

The establishment of East Tennessee College* in the place of Blount 
College has already been noticed. The trustees of the new institution 
met in 1808 and organized, retaining Carrick as president. His term of 
service, however, was short, as he died the following year. No immediate 
steps were taken to supply his place, nor was anything done toward the 
erection of a new college building, from the fact, doubtless, that the 
trustees had no available funds and that there was no iramediate prospect 
of realizing a revenue from the land grants. Lotteries were popular 
institutions in Tennessee at that time, and the Legislature of 1810 author- 
ized a lottery scheme for the benefit of East Tennessee College, appoint- 
ing Hugh L. White, Thomas McCorry, James Campbell, Robert Craig- 
head and John N. Gamble trustees for the purpose. The trustees put 
forth an advertisement in which they "flatter themselves that the 
scheme will be satisfactory to all who wish to become adventurers with 
a view to better their circumstances. When the object to be attained 
by the lottery is considered, it is believed every individual will be anxious 
to become an adventurer. It is not designed to retrieve a shattered 
fortune, nor to convert into cash at an extravagant price property that is 

*Condensed from the historical sketch by Col. Moses White. 



448 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

of no use, but it is intended to aid the funds of a seminary of education, 
where youth of the present and succeeding generations may have their 
minds prepared in such a manner as to make them ornaments to their 
families and useful to their country as will enable them to understand 
their rights as citizens, and duties as servants of the people." 

This scheme proved a failure. A sufficient number of tickets were 
not sold, and no di'awing occurred. Meanwhile, Hampden Sidney 
Academy had been established for Knox County, and its trustees, by 
private subscription, had succeeded in raising sufficient funds to justify 
effecting an organization. However, it was not until January 1, 1817, 
that the academy opened its doors for the reception of pupils. In Octo- 
ber, 1820, the trustees of East Tennessee College decided to put that 
institution into operation again, and an agreement was entered into 
whereby the academy and college were united, D. A. Sherman, the 
principal of the academy, becoming president of the college. He was a 
graduate of Yale, of the class of 1802, and for several years afterward a 
tutor in that institution. During his presidency of the college, he was 
assisted by Daniel E. Watrous, James McBath and David S. Hart, the 
last named, the first graduate of East Tennessee College, taking his de- 
gree in 1821. Mr. Sherman, on account of failing health, withdrew from 
the college in 1825, and Samuel E. Kodgers and James McBath contin- 
ued the exercises as tutors in charge for one year. 

In 1826 tJie trustees, having obtained permission to select another 
and more eligible site than the Poplar Spring, purchased of Pleasant 
M. Miller, for the sum of ^600, Barbara Hill, so named, in honor of 
Barbara Blount, the daughter of William Blount. They proceeded to 
erect the center college building and three one-story dormitories back of 
the college, so arranged as to make a square of the campus. The trus- 
tees then succeeded in securing as president the Rev. Charles Coffin, of 
Greeneville College, a man of great worth and elegant classical attainments. 
About this time considerable popular opposition toward colleges was 
manifested, and those institutions suffered accordingly. Dr. Coffin, how- 
ever, prosecuted his labors for several years in the face of the greatest 
difficulties and embarrassments, with unremitting energy and assiduity, but 
popular prejudice increased. In 1832, worn down with excessive labor 
and anxious care, he was compelled to resign the presidency, and the next 
year was succeeded by James H. Piper, of Virginia, an alumnus of the 
college of the class of 1830. At the end of one year he resigned the presi- 
dency in despair. It is said that he was the ambitious youth who aspired 
to carve his name above that of the father of his country, on the 
natural bridge. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 449 

He was immediately succeeded by Joseph Estabrook, a graduate of 
Dartmouth. He at once secured a corps of able assistants, and soon suc- 
ceeded in raising the college from almost total prostration to a respecta- 
ble rank among the educational institutions of the country. In 1837 
the college was organized into regular classes, and the first catalogue was 
published. By an act of the Legislature in 1840, the name of East Ten- 
nessee College was changed to that of East Tennessee University, and 
greater power and more extended privileges were granted. Soon after 
the sale of a part of the land belonging to the institution enabled the 
trustees to make some important and long needed improvements. They 
contracted with Thomas Crutchfield, Esq., of Athens, who had built the 
main edifice, to erect the two three-story dormitories, and the two houses 
and appurtenances on the right and left slopes, originally intended to be 
used as dwellings by the professors, but which an increasing demand for 
room has required to be appropriated to other purposes. The final set- 
tlement of the commissioners, James H. Cowan and Drury P. Armstrong, 
with the contractor, July, 1848, exhibits as the total cost of the improve- 
ment the sum of $20,965.18. 

. At this time the college was just entering upon a decline, which was 
hastened by the resignation of President Estabrook, in 1850. This de- 
cline was due to the same causes that compelled the suspension of the 
University of Nashville — the multiplication of colleges and denom- 
inational schools throughout Tennessee and the entire South. The 
trustees, appreciating the necessity, called into requisition the great name 
and extensive personal popularity of the Hon. W. B. Reese, who had a 
short time before resigned his seat upon the supreme bench. Judge 
Heese assumed the presidency in the fall of 1850, but even his great 
learning, industry, and influence were not sufficient to stay the decline: 
and after having graduated an even dozen students, he resigned at the 
end of the third year of his presidency. The trustees experienced con- 
siderable difficulty in securing a satisfactory successor. Bev. George 
Cook was finally elected and accepted. He was a native of New Hamp- 
shire, a graduate of Dartmouth, and had been for several years the prin- 
cipal of a flourishing female seminary in Knoxville. As a majority of 
the professors had resigned with the president, the vacancies had to be 
filled, and the formal opening of the university was postponed from the 
fall of 1853 until the beijinnino^ of the summer session of 1854. The 
cholera prevailed with considerable violence and fatality in Knoxville in 
the following September, and the fear of its recurrence deterred the stu- 
dents from returning at the opening of the winter session. 

An attempt was then made to organize a medical department, but a 



450 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

sufficient number of competent physicians could not be obtained to fill 
the chairs. After this failure an agreement was entered into with the 
Western Military Institute to consolidate that institution with the uni- 
versity, but Nashville offered greater inducements, and it went there. 
President Cook next recommended the establishment of an agricultural 
department, but before the result of his last proposition was learned, he 
resigned in despair in ,1857. During the following year the exercises of 
the university were suspended, and another unsuccessful attempt was 
made to establish a medical department. 

On the 20th of March, 1858, the head of Burritt College, Van Bureu 
County, Tenn., was elected, president of the^ university, and under his 
charge the university was formally reopened in September following. 
At the close of his second year he resigned, and the vacancy thus caused 
was filled by the election of Rev. J. J. Ridley, of Clarksville. Owing to 
the untiring efforts of the retiring president the next session opened with 
a largely increased attendance. The first important action taken by the 
new president was to secure the adoption of a resolution extending gra- 
tuitous education to candidates for the ministry of all religious denom- 
inations. 

A military department was again organized and rigid discipline 
adopted in the management of the university. But just as the institu- 
tion was again in successful operation the civil Avar came on. Students 
enlisted and instructors resigned. In a short time general demoraliza- 
tion pervaded the whole institution. A portion of the university build- 
ings was soon demanded by the military. On February 7, 1862, the 
president unconditionally resigned. The buildings and grounds were 
used by the Confederates and Federals in turn ; and after the close of the 
war the United States Government paid to the trustees, in the way of 
rents and damages, the sum of $15,000. 

July 10, 18()5, the board of trustees, as a preparatory step toward 
reorganizing the university and resuming exercises therein, unanimously 
elected the Rev. Thomas Humes president, who at once addressed him- 
self to the task before him. The university buildings, in consequence of 
their having been occupied for several years by the array, were not in a 
condition to be used for college purposes. Without waiting for the nec- 
essary repairs to be made, in the spring of 18(56 President Humes 
resumed exercises in the biiildings of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. In 
September, 1867, the work of instruction was resumed in the college 
buildings. 

In accordance with the provisions of an act of Congress, approved' 
Jiily 2, 1862, making endowments for industrial colleges to the several 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 451 

States, the Legislature of the State in January, 1869, appropriated, 
upon certain conditions, the agricultural fund to East Tennessee Univer- 
sity. In June, 1800, the trustees organized the Tennessee Industrial 
College, and in September of the same year it went into operation. Its 
endowment from the United States was invested in 396 State of Tennes- 
see bonds of $1,000 each, bearing 6 per cent interest, the payment of 
which for several years was much delayed. Notwithstanding this serious 
obstacle, the success of the institution was very gratifying. A fine farm 
situated about three-fourths of a mile from the university was purchased 
for its use; new buildings were erected, and an excellent chemical labor- 
atory was provided and equipped. In 1879 the name of East Tennessee 
University was changed, by an act of the Legislature, to the University 
of Tennessee. At the same time the governor was authorized to appoint 
a board of visitors to the university, three from each grand division of 
the State, and other legislation connecting the university intimately with 
the public school system of the State. Since that time a full university 
organization has been adopted. The courses of ' instruction have been 
enlarged and multiplied, and the university now offers excellent advan- 
tages for both general and special study. ^ 

The medical department was organized as the Nashville Medical Col- 
lege in the summer of 1876. It was founded by Drs. Duncan Eve and 
W. F. Glenn, who drew from the faculty of the medical department of the 
University of Nashville and Vanderbilt University Drs. Paul F. Eve, T. 
B. Buchanan, George S. Blackie, TV. P. Jones and J. J. Abernethy. The 
first session of this institution commenced on March 5, 1877, and was 
attended with brilliant success from the first. In the spring of 1879 a 
dental department was established, being the first dental school in the 
South. During the same year an overture was received from the trust- 
ees of the University of Tennessee to become their medical department, 
and such an agreement was effected. 

The following is the present faculty: Hon. William P. Jones, M. 
D., president of faculty, professor of mental diseases and public 
hygiene; Duncan Eve, M. D., dean of the faculty, professor of sur- 
gery and clinical surgery; William F. Glenn, M. D., professor of physi- 
ology, geni to-urinary and venereal diseases; J. Bunyan Stephens, M. D,, 
professor of obstetrics and clinical midwifery; Deering J. Eoberts, M. 
D., professor of theory and practice of medicine and clinical medicine; 
Paul F. Eve, M. D., professor of general, descriptive and su:*-gical anat- 
omy; William D. Haggard, M. D., professor of gynecology and diseases 
of children; Woodford M. Vertrees, M. D., professor of materia medica 
and therapeutics- William E. McCampbell, M. D,, professor of medical 



4:52 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

cliemistiy and toxicology; William G. Brien, M. D., LL. D,, professor of 
medical jurisprudence; John G. Sinclair, M. D., professor of diseases of 
the eye, ear and throat; James Y. Crawford, M. D., D. D. S., professor 
of prophylactic dentistry and oral surgery; Paul F. Eve, M. D., William 
E. McCampbell, M. D., demonstrators of anatomy. 

At the close of the session of 1882-83 Dr. Humes resigned the pres- 
idency of the university. The trustees thereupon determined to leave the 
presidency unfilled for the ensuing year, and gave power to the faculty 
to elect from their body a chairman clothed with the authority and 
charged with the duties of a president. So satisfactory was this arrange- 
ment that it has since been continued. The following are the faculty 
and officers of the university: Eben Alexander, B. A., chairman of the 
faculty; Hunter Nicholson, A. M., professor of natural history and ge- 
ology; Eben Alexander, B. A., professor of ancient languages and litera- 
ture; Samuel B. Crawford, M. A., professor of military science and com- 
mandant of cadets; Bodes Massie, A. M., D. L., professor of English and 
modern languages; John W. Glenn, A. M., professor of agriculture, 
horticulture and botany; William Albert Noys, Ph. D., professor of 
chemistry and mineralogy; William W. Carson, C. E., M. E., professor 
of mathematics; William Everett Moses, B. S., adjunct professor of chem- 
istry; Samuel B. Crawford, M. A., adjunct professor of mathematics; 
Thomas Oakley Deaderick, M. A., adjunct professor of ancient lan- 
guages; William Gibbs McAdoo, M. A., adjunct professor of English 
and history; Lewis Conner Carter, C. E., instructor in applied mathe- 
matics; John Newton Bogart, M. A., instructor in sub-collegiate classes; 
William Isaac Thomas, M. A., instructor in modern languages and nat- 
ural history; Gustav Robert Knabe, Mus. D., instructor in vocal and 
instrumental music; Hunter Nicholson, A. M,, librarian; Robert James 
Cummings, farm superintendent; Hon. John L. Moses, president of the 
board of trustees ; Robert Craighead, secretary and treasurer. Trustees : 
Hon. William B. Bate, governor of Tennessee, ex officio; Hon. John Alli- 
son, secretary of State, ex officio; Hon. Thomas H. Paine, superintend- 
ent of public instruction, ex officio; Rev. Thomas W. Humes, S. T. D., 
Hugh L. McClung, William K. Eckle, Hon. O. P. Temple, Frank A. K 
Scott, Robert H. Armstrong, Hon. John Baxter*, B. Frazier, M. D., 
William Rule, S. H. Smith, M. D., R. P. Eaton, M. D., H. L. W. Mynatt, 
Charles M. McGhee, Hon. D. A. Nunn, Edward J. Sanford, W. A. Hen- 
derson, Esq., Hon. J. M. Coulter, Rev. James Park, D. D., James D. 
Cowan, C. Deaderick, M. D., John M. Boyd, M. D., Hon. John L. Moses, 
Hon. George Brown, A. Caldwell, Esq., John M. Fleming, Esq., J. W. 

♦Deceased. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 453 

Gaut, Samuel J, McKinney, William Morrow, M. D., William B. Eeese, 
Esq., Moses White, Esq., Hon. W. C. Whitthorne, Samuel B. Luttrell, 
Robert Craighead, James Comfort, Esq., J. B. Killebrew. 

By an act of Congress, passed in 1846, extinguishing the title to the 
unappropriated lands south and west of the congressional reservation line, 
it was required that $40,000 arising from the sale of said lands be set 
apart for the endowment of a college to be located at Jackson. According- 
ly, the institution known as West Tennessee College was chartered in . 

Before the war it was a prosperous and successful institution, under the 
administration of able and accomplished presidents and professors, and 
many of the most distinguished citizens of the State claim West Tennes- 
see College as their alma mater. In 1865, immediately after the close 
of the war, Dr. William Shelton was elected president of the college, 
with B. W. Arnold as professor of ancient languages, and B. L. Arnold 
as professor of mathematics and natural science. Under the administra- 
tion of Dr. Shelton and his faculty of instruction, West Tennessee Col- 
lege was built up to a high degree of prosperity, so that it had a larger 
number of students than at any previous period in its history. In 1869 
the entire faculty resigned, and a new faculty was employed, with Rev. 
E. L. Patton as president. In August, 1874, the buildings, grounds, 
and endowments of West Tennessee College, estimated at $90,000, were 
donated to the trustees of the Southwestern Baptist University, on con- 
dition that an interest bearing endowment of $300,000 be raised for 
the university within a period of ten years from the time of transfer. 
A meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention was immediately called, 
the plan accepted, and preliminary steps were taken toward obtaining a 
charter under the name of the Southwestern Baptist University. On 
September 14, 1874, the academic department of the new institution was 
opened, and at the beginning of the next school year the collegiate de- 
partment was organized. Under the new name and management the 
university has been eminently prosperous, and now ranks as one of the 
best institutions in the State. 



454: HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

History of the Early Wars— The Military Training of the " Volunteer 
State "—The Tories of East Tennessee— The Part Borne by the State 
IN THE Revolution— The Brilliant Strategy and Prowess of Sevier 
AND Shelby— Actions at King's Mol^ntain and Elsewhere— The War of 
1812— Jackson's Campaigns against the Creeks— The Memorable Battle 
AT NE\t Orleans — The Seminole War — Its Hardships and Long Contin- 
uance — Tennesseeans Concerned in the Achievement of the Independ- 
ence OF Texas— The War with Mexico— The Volunteers— Sketch of 
the Campaigns. 

ALTHOUGH a peace-loving and law-abiding people, Tennessee lias 
acliieved a record in all the wars of the Government or State that is 
the pride of descendants and the admiration of all beholders. What with 
the Indian wars, and what with the Revolution, the beginning of the 
present century finds the inhabitants of the State comparatively a war- 
like people. The settlers of the mountain region of East Tennessee 
found it necessary to defend themselves against the Indians at a very 
early date. Fort Loudon was built by the British, one mile above the 
mouth of the Tellico River, in 1756. Stimulated by French influence, the 
Cherokees attacked this fort in 1760, and starved it into surrender on 
August 8th of that year. The garrison consisted of between 200 and 
300 Scotch Highlanders, who surrendered on the promise of Oconos- 
tota that they should be allowed a safe return to the Carolinas. They 
were followed, and on the second day were overtaken and cut to pieces, 
except a few, and a fence built of their bones. Other forts were built, 
which served the colonists a good purpose during the troublous 
times of the Revolution, not only against the British Tories, but 
against the Indians, whom British intrigue stirred up to revolt. The 
hardy mountaineers of East Tennessee were not numerous, but were in- 
tensely loyal to the cause of independence, and were the terror of Tories 
and British. Owing to danger from the Indians the mountaineers dared 
not leave home but for a short time. In 1777 a party of forty men went 
to Boonesborough, Ky., for the relief of the settlement then besieged 
by the Indians. The condition of the people became so desperate that 
Capt. Logan and a select party undertook the perilous journey of 200 
miles through an enemy's country to ask relief of the pioneers of Tennes- 
see. The appeal was not in vain, for in a short time 100 riflemen* were 
on their way with supplies to relieve the beleaguered garrison. The fall 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. -i55 

of Charleston on May 12, 1780, exposed the whole of the Carolinas and 
Tennessee to the attacks of the British and the Indians. 

On March 19, 1780, John Sevier, colonel of Washington County mil- 
itia, under a call of Samuel Rutherford, united with John Willson, Will- 
iam Trimble, James Stinson, John McNabb, Jonathan Tipton and 
Godfrey Isbell in raising 100 men. The captains of Col.' Sevier's regi- 
ment were McNabb. Sevier, Hoskins, Bean, Brown, Isbell, Trimble, 
Willson, Gist, Stinson, Davis, Patterson and Williams. A similar call 
was made upon Isaac Shelby, colonel of Sullivan County, who was then 
absent surveying lands in Kentucky, but a message brought him hur- 
riedly home. Fortunately for these commanders their forces were not 
ready soon enough, in consequence of which they were not in the disastrous 
defeat at Camden. Many who before this time were pretended friends 
now became open enemies to the country. It was determined by the 
British commander, Cornwallis, to carry the war into the Whig settle- 
ments beyond the Alleghanies and thence conquer and lay waste North 
Carolina as he had South Carolina, and advance into Virginia. 

Col. Sevier soon issued another call for volunteers, and in a few days 
found himself at the head of 200 men. Col. Shelby, who received word 
of the impending danger on the IGth of June, was in command of 200 
men in the first part of July. The forces of Sevier and Shelby arrived 
at Col. McDowell's camp at Cherokee Ford on Broad River, about the 
same time. Col. Moore, who was assembling a large body of Tories, took 
post at a strong fort built by Gen. Williamson on the Pacolet River. 
The successes of the British led many disaffected to his standard. The 
rapid advance of the main force of the British led Col. McDowell to 
strike a blow at once. Cols. Sevier, Shelby and Clarke were detached 
with 600 men to attack Moore forthwith. These riflemen took up their 
line of march at sunset and by daylight had marched twenty miles and 
had surrounded the fort. Lines were deployed and ready to assault; 
Col. Shelby sent William Cocke to demand the surrender of the fort. 
Moore refused and declared he would defend the place to the last ex- 
tremity. The American lines Avere drawn closely around the fort and 
anxiously awaited the order for assault, when a second demand was made, 
intimating that if they were compelled to assault it might be difficult to 
restrain the mountaineers from acts of violence. Moore acceded to the 
terms of surrender on condition that the garrison should be paroled not 
to serve again during the war. The forces surrendered, consisting of 
ninety-three Loyalists and a British sergeant-major, who was the drill- 
master. Besides the men, there was a large supply of arms and other 
supplies. Col. Ferguson, who commanded the British, determined to 



456 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

crush the forces of McDowell. The only hope of the latter was to annoy 
and cut off straggling forces of the enemy, now amounting to about 6,000 
men. Ferguson's plan was to surprise McDowell. Cols. Shelby and 
Clarke, with 6)00 men, were attacked at Cedar Springs in August by a 
large British force. They maintained the fight for half an hour, when 
Ferguson's whole force arrived and compelled the Americans to with- 
draw, taking with them twenty prisoners, including two British officers. 
The American loss was ten or twelve killed and wounded, including CoL 
Clarke, who received a sabre cut in the neck. 

The next stroke of the Americans was at a band of 400 or 500 Tories en- 
camped on the south side of the Enoree River at Musgrove's mill, about 
forty miles distant from the Americans. Ferguson's main force lay be- 
tween the Americans and their prize. Col. McDowell, the American com- 
mander, detached Cols. Shelby, Clarke and Williams, of South Carolina, 
to surprise and capture these Tories. They started on the 18th of August, 
and after a hard night's ride reached the object of their search. In the 
march they had been compelled to make a detour of several miles to 
avoid Ferguson's men. About a half mile from the enemy's camp they 
met a patrol and a skirmish ensued and the enemy gave way. It was 
now learned that the enemy had received a re-enforcement of 600 regu- 
lars. The Americans were in a dilemma. To fight these seemed des- 
perate ; to retreat was impossible, being worn as they were. The sound 
of drums and bugles indicated the advance of the British. Capt. Inman 
was sent forward to fight the advancing line and retreat at discretion. 
He met the British gallantly and retreated slowly to within range of the 
main forces. These maintained their ground for more than an hour; just 
as the Americans were about to give way Col. Ennes, the British com- 
mander, was wounded; nearly all of his subalterns had already been 
killed or wounded. The British gave way. Capt. Inman was killed 
"while gallantly leading his men; only six or seven others were lost. The 
British regulars fought bravely, but over 200 A\^ere captured. 

The next point the Americans aimed at was Ninety-Six, thirty miles 
away. At the moment of starting a message was received from Col. 
McDowell, stating that Gen. Gates had been overwhelmed at Camden, 
and advising the Americans to save themselves as best they could. The 
200 prisoners, the spoils of the victory, were divided among the men, 
giving one to each of the three Americans. Thus encumbered they 
started for their mountain fastnesses, and by a ride of all that day, the 
following night and the next day, arrived at a place of safety, not, how- 
ever, without having been pursued by a strong force under Maj. Dupois- 
ter, sent by Ferguson. Their forces were for a time scattered. The 



HI8T0KY OF TENNESSEE. ' 4:57 

near approacli of the British and threatening of Ferguson to cross the 
mountains to attack the Tennesseeans in their homes, called them 
together again. News reached Col. Shelby of the danger in August, and 
he immediately rode fifty or sixty miles to consult with Sevier. In two 
days they determined to raise all the forces they could, and if possible 
surprise Ferguson in his camp. They appointed September 25 as the 
day of meeting, and Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga as the place. 
The whole fighting population of the district was considerably less than 
1,000, and at least half of these were deemed necessary to guard the 
forts and the frontier. Only the strong and vigorous were allowed to go. 
The whole population met at the camp on the Watauga. Here they were 
met by Col. Campbell, of Virginia, with 400 men. Col. Sevier took 240 
from Washington County, Col. Shelby the same number from Sullivan 
County; also a great many Whig refugees were assembled under Col. 
McDowell. Steadman, who served under Cornwallis, says: " The enemy 
was composed of the wild and fierce inhabitants of Kentucky and other 
settlements beyond the Alleghanies, who had assembled fi*om different 
places and with different objects. They were under such leaders as 
Cleveland, Shelby, Sevier, Branden and Lacey; the men were well 
mounted on horseback and armed with rifles, and each carried his own 
provisions in a wallet, and were not encumbered by wagons." Each 
man, each officer set out with his trusty Deckhard on his shoulder. A 
shot-pouch, a tomahawk, a knife, a knapsack and a blanket completed his 
outfit. The earth was his bed, the heavens his covering, the moun- 
tain stream gave him drink and the forests yielded him food. These 
men started in rapid movement along mountain paths toward Gilbert 
Town where Ferguson was encamped. The desertion of two men caused 
them to change their course a little. When nearing the foot of the moun- 
tains they fell in with others bent on doing the British mischief. Some 
of these men were well armed, some not; some were on foot and some 
mounted. This motley crew chose a leader of their own and determined 
to attack the British. 

Ferguson became alarmed at this " inundation of barbarians and dogs 
of mankind," and called loudly for the loyalists to rally to his standard. 
On October 4 the Americans reached Gilbert Town to find that Fer- 
guson had decamped and was earnestly soliciting Cornwallis for re-en- 
forcements. It was soon agreed among the American commanders to 
select the best men, horses and arms and follow Ferguson with all speed. 
Nine hundred and ten men out of nearly 3,000 were chosen to lead the 
pursuit, the others to follow as rapidly as possible. Several bands of 
Tories offered tempting baits for these brave mountaineers, but these they 



458 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

did not care to disturb, well knowing if the British regulars were dis- 
posed of the Tories would be an easy prey. For thirty-six hours these 
men rode with but one hour's rest, and the day of battle was hot and so 
wet that the men were compelled to wrap their guns with their blankets 
or hunting-shirts to keep them dry. The men were now within three 
miles of the British camp. It was learned the British intended to join 
Cornwallis next day, and the Americans determined not to allow the 
chance for victory to slip, so without food or rest they prepared for the 
onset. The touch-holes of their guns were cleaned and fresh priming 
was put in, bullets were examined and a plan of the battle was hastily 
formed. Ferguson had taken post on an eminence, which in loyalty to 
his sovereign he called King's Mountain. The Americans dismounted 
and began the attack. Their plan was to surround the mountain. Cols. 
McDowell, Shelby, Sevier and Campbell passed to the right, and Ham- 
bright, Chronicle, Cleveland and Williams to the left, so as to join the 
wings in the rear of the rpountain. All things being ready, they raised 
the Indian war-whoop and advanced upon the enemy. The battle was of 
the most desperate character. As the British regulars charged bayonets, 
the Americans, by an understanding, slowly yielded on that side, but ad- 
vanced on the other, and then the British were called to resist the great 
pressure elsewhere, when the Americans again advanced their lines. 
The Americans fought as only American mountaineers could fight, the 
British regulars with the desperation of despair. Prodigies of valor 
were performed by Sevier, Shelby and, in fact, all the officers and men. 
No less valorous was Ferguson of the British. Courting danger and 
disdaining death, he seemed everywhere present. Twice was the white 
flag raised and twice pulled down or cut down by his own hands. He 

had sworn that all the rebels out of could not drive him from his 

position, and no band of banditti could intimidate him or the Brit- 
ish regulars. The fight continued hot and desperate. At last Ferguson 
fell, and the animating spirit of the British was gone. Dupoister, second 
in command, seeing resistance useless, raised the Avhite flag. 

In the hour's engagement the enemy lost 225 killed and 180 
wounded, and 700 prisoners and all their stores. Not one of the Brit- 
ish escaped. The prisoners were more numerous than the whole force 
to guard them. The loss to the Americans was 1 colond, 1 major, 
1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 ensigns and 19 privates killed ; and 1 major, 
3 captains, 3 lieutenants and 53 privates wounded. In Col. Shelby's 
regiment from Sullivan County his brother Moses was wounded in a 
bold attempt to storm the enemy. The captains of his regiment were 
Elliott, Maxwell and Webb. The Washington County troops were 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 459 

commanded by Col. Sevier, whose captains were his brothers Valen- 
tine and Robert Sevier, Joel Callahan, George Doherty and George Eus- 
sell ; lieutenant, Isaac Lane. Capt. Robert Sevier was mortally wounded 
in the engagement. There were four privates o£ the Sevier family 
present, Abraham and Joseph Sevier ; also James and Joseph Sevier, 
sons of Col. Sevier. Swords were voted to Cols. Sevier and Shelby by the 
State of North Carolina in honor of the signal victory. Steadman quotes 
Gen. Bernard, an officer under Napoleon, as saying: "The Americans, 
by their victory in that engagement, erected a monument to perpetuate 
the memory of the brave men, who had fallen there; and the shape of 
the hill itself would be an eternal monument of the military genius and 
skill of Col. Ferguson in selecting a position so well adapted for defense ; 
and that no other plan of assault but that pursued by the mountain men, 
could have succeeded against him." The effect of this victory could not 
be over-estimated. The Sabbath following the battle was employed in 
the solemn burial of the dead and rapid retreat to the remaining forces 
of the army. The wagons of the enemy were burned, the badly wounded 
were left on the ground and the able bodied were compelled to carry the 
arms they had surrendered. The prisoners were turned over to Gen. 
Greene at Hillsboro and Col. Sevier and most of the militia, returned to 
defend their homes against the Indians. Soon after followed the victory 
of Gen. Morgan over Tarleton at Cowpens, scarcely less decisive then the 
one at King's Mountain. 

The Legislature of North Carolina, Gov. Caswell of the same State 
and Gen. Greene, all besought Cols. Shelby and Sevier to come to the 
relief of the State, that was now (1781) invaded by the British under 
Cornwallis, and the country laid waste by the tories. Neither of the 
leaders, Shelby or Sevier, could go, as it took them and the militia to de- 
fend the settlements of Watauga and Nollichucky against the Cherokees. 
A few only were engaged at Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781. 
It is thought if these men could have gone in force the same fate would 
have befallen Cornwallis at that place that awaited him at Yorktown. 
On the advance of Gen. Greene into South Carolina the forces of Shelby 
and Sevier were again called upon, and they assembled at Fort Granby 
in the last of August, 1781. They were well on their way when it was 
learned that Cornwallis and the main British forces had left North Car- 
olina and taken post at Yorktown, Va. The various successes led the 
Americans — Shelby and Sevier — to believe their services would no longer 
be needed, in consequence of which they again returned home. The 
battle of Eutaw Spring was fought in the absence of the gallant Tennes- 
see mountaineers, and they wei'e not permitted to gain new laurels. The 



460 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

straits to wliich Cornwallis had been reduced by the allied armies led 
Gen. Greene to believe that he contemplated a retreat through the Caro- 
linas. Gen. Greene, on September 16, again called upon Col. Sevier for 
assistance. Shelby was also called upon and responded with his reo-i- 
ment. Sevier raised 200 men from "Washington County. On October 
19 Cornwallis surrendered his whole force, and thus danger from that 
quarter was no longer apprehended. 

At the request of Gen. Greene the forces of Shelby and Sevier joined 
the forces under Gen. Marion. Notwithstanding these men had been 
enrolled for only sixty days they proceeded into South Carolina. It was 
learned that a force of several hundred Hessians stationed at Monk's 
Corner was in a state of mutiny. The main force of the British was at 
Ferguson's Swamp, eight or ten miles away on the main road leading to 
€harleston. It was determined to surprise the British force. Cols. 
Shelby and Sevier asked to be a part of the detachment of 500 or 600 
men to be sent against it. Col. Mayhem commanded the forces, consist- 
ing of 180 of his own dragoons, a few militia and the men under Shelby 
and Sevier. The march began in the morning and a long march brouo-ht 
them two miles below tlie post they intended to attack, on the evening 
of the second day. In gaining this post they had avoided the main 
British force and were now between the Hessians and Charleston. The 
men rested on their arms till daylight the next morning, when they ap- 
peared before the British post and Col. Mayhem sent a messenger 
demanding the immediate surrender of the place. Answer was returned 
in a few minutes that the post would be defended to the last extremity. 
Shelby then asked permission to go himself and demand the surrender. 
He told the British commander that if they were compelled to storm the 
post, every soul within would be killed, as the mountaineers would soon 
be upon them with their tomahawks. The British officer inquired of 
Shelby if he had any artillery, to which he replied that he had 
guns that would blow them to atoms in a minute. The British offi- 
cer then gracefully yielded and threw open the gates, and the Ameri- 
cans marched up and took possession. At this moment another strong 
post was discovered 500 or 600 yards distant. It was a brick house surt 
roundedby a strong abatis and defended by 100 soldiers and from 40 to 
50 dragoons. These made a demonstration as if to attack the Americans, 
who deployed and boldly advanced toward the British and demanded a 
surrender. This post also surrendered without resistance. Although 
well fortified, 150 men capitulated. Ninety of the prisoners we'^-e 
mounted behind their captors and were taken to Marion's camp sixty 
JUiles distant; the remainder were paroled and the post and supplies de- 




Andrew Jackson 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 461 

stroyed. The Americans reached camp next morning at 3 o'clock. 
Before day it was reported that Stewart with the whole British force was 
in a few miles of camp. Shelby and Sevier's men were to interfere and 
retreat at discretion. A report spread that Marion had received a large 
re-enforcement of riflemen. The British became alarmed and fled in dis- 
order almost to Charleston. About the 28th of November Shelby left 
the army to take a seat in the Legislature of North Carolina, of which he 
was a member. Col. Sevier remained with the mountain men. Little 
more was done until peace ended the strife. The troops of Shelby and 
Sevier "came home enriched with no spoils, stained with no dishonor, 
enriched only by an imperishable fame, an undying renown and an un- 
questionable claim to the admiration and gratitude of their countrymen 
and of posterity." 

Hard upon the war with the British and Tories came the war with the 
Cherokees. The second struggle for independence, that of 1812, was the 
occasion of the Creek war. As soon as there was a prospect for hostilities, 
Great Britain sent her emissaries among the Indians to induce them to 
"dig up the hatchet." Tecumseh, the great Shawanee chieftain, with about 
thirty of his warriors visited the Southern Lidians in his efforts to unite 
all the various tribes in one grand union against the whites. He estab- 
lished among the Southern Indians the custom of celebrating the scalp 
and war dance before battle. The speech of Tecumseh, his power of 
organization, and the message of the prophet, Tecumseh' s brother, stirred 
the Creeks to a frenzy, and caused them to plunge into a religious war, 
neither asking nor giving quarter. Numerous outrages had been commit- 
ted, and the massacre of Fort Mimms, on August 30, 1813, spread alarm 
throughout Tennessee. A meeting was called in Nashville of which Rev. 
Mr. Craighead was made chairman and Gen. Coffee was a member. 
This meeting urged the Legislature to call out the militia to take ven- 
geance upon the Creeks. That body responded at once, and on September 
13, 1813, a call was made for 3,500 volunteers in addition to 1,500, who 
had already hastily entered the field and appropriated $300,000 to 
defray the expenses of the war. Gov. Blount commissioned Gen. Cocke 
to command the troops from East Tennessee, and Gen. Jackson those 
from West Tennessee (now called Middle Tennessee). Although suffer- 
ing from the wounds received in the encounter with the Bentons, Gen. 
Jackson issued one of his characteristic addresses to the people on Sep- 
tember 25, ordering the men to rendezvous at Fayetteville on October 4. 
On September 26 Gen. Coffee was sent to Huntsville in advance of the 
main body for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the valley of the 
Tennessee against the threatened attack by the Indians. Gen. Jackson 

29 



462 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

himself did not arrive at Fayetteville till the Tth, owing to liis disability. 
He, however, sent liis aid, Maj. Reid, in advance to read his orders and 
to put the men under discipline. On the 11th a dispatch was received 
by Jackson that 1,000 Creek warriors were approaching to attack 
Huntsville. News was received at 1 o'clock, and at 3 the army was in 
motion. By a forced march the army reached Huntsville, a distance 
of thirty -two miles, in about five hours. On their arrival the rumor was 
found to be untrue, but the army continued its march, but more leisurely 
to Ditto's Landing, on the Tennessee. Jackson's forces consisted of two 
brigades; one of volunteers under Gen. William Hall, and the other of 
militia under Gen. Isaac Roberts. Jackson marched up the river to 
Thompson's Creek, cutting out roads as he went. He v/as greatly dis- 
appointed at not receiving supplies that were to be sent from East Ten- 
nessee. The low stage of the water above prevented, but this was not 
indicated below and led to some bitterness. 

Jackson built and entrenched a camp, and called it Fort Deposit. 
While awaiting supplies he drilled his men. and wrote letters to Gov. 
Blount, Judge Hugh L, White, and other prominent men urging the 
necessity of rapid movements. The army was reduced to the greatest 
straits, and it was with great difficulty that discipline was maintained. 
Col. Coffee was sent to scour the country for supplies, and returned in a 
short time with a quantity of corn. Gen. Jackson broke camp at Fort 
Deposit October 25, and advanced into the country and built Fort Strother. 
He learned that the friendly Indians at Two Islands of the Coosa were in 
danger, and went to their rescue. He learned there was a large body of 
Indians at Tallushatches, thirteen miles distant, on the south side of the 
Coosa; thither he sent Col. Coffee with 1,000 mounted men to attack 
them. They were piloted by friendly Indians. The Indians were sur- 
prised and defeated with great slaughter The attack began on the 
morning of the 3d. Col. Allen, who commanded the right wing, managed 
to get to the rear of the Indians. They fought with the desperation of 
despair, and not a warrior was captured. They left 180 warriors upon the 
field, and doubtless more were killed. A number of women and children 
were killed and 81 were captured. The Indians fired their guns and then 
used bows and arrows. Jackson's loss was 5 killed and 41 wounded; 
among whom were Capts. Smith, Bradley and Winston. An Indian infant 
was found upon its dead mother's breast. The other women refused to 
nourish it. Gen. Jackson had the child cared for and took it into his own 
family. Young Lincolyer was given a practical education, and found a 
warm friend in the General and his family. He was taken away by con- 
sumption at the age of seventeen. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 463 

Gen. Jackson began again with great energy and next struck the In- 
dians at Talladega, about thirty miles from his camp, at Fort Strother. 
Here he left his sick and wounded with a small guard, having made the 
place as secure as possible. He expected a junction of a part of the force 
of Gen. Cocke, who was operating in concert with him with the East 
Tennessee troops. Gen. White, with a brigade of these troops, had arrived 
at Turkey Town, twenty-five miles from Jackson's camp. These were or- 
dered by Gen. Jackson to join him in the advance upon Talladega. When 
near Fort Strother White received an order from Gen. Cocke to join him. 
Jackson advanced upon Talladega on December 8, and when within six 
miles of the place he learned that White had been ordered to join Gen. 
Cocke. His sick and wounded men being in danger, he determined to 
fight alone the next morning. Talladega was a fortified place, and was 
filled with friendly Indians who were being besieged by the hostile Creeks. 
It was for their relief that the battle was fought. The Indians were on 
the point of starvation. One disguised as a hog crept through the hostile 
lines, and brought Jackson word as to their condition. Scouts brought 
him information as to the number and position of the enemy. The march 
was resumed at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 9th; when within a mile 
of the enemy the line of battle was formed. Hall's brigade was on the 
right and Koberts' on the left, and Coffee's cavalry covered the wino-s,, 
with a portion in the rear for reserve. When Capt. Deaderick's men 
arrived within eighty yards of the enemy they rose and with a yell 
opened fire and began an advance. Some of the militia under Gen. Rob- 
erts began to give way, frightened by the terrible yells of the Indians. 
Tlie reserve under Col. Dyer boldly advanced and restored the line, when 
the militia again returned to the fight. A general advance along the 
whole line was now made. The Indians were slaughtered unmercifully ; 
a gap in the lines alone allowed any to escape. They lost 280 killed ; 
Gen. Coffee says 299. The loss of the whites was 15 killed and 85 
wounded. The Indians numbered 1,000; Jackson's forces numbered 
about 2,000, not more than half of whom were engaged. Great was the 
joy of the besieged Indians when they were relieved. 

Jackson now returned to Fort Strother, but to find no supplies. A 
week's starvation brought the army to a state of mutiny. The troops 
threatened to march home in a body, but Jackson persuaded them to de- 
lay two days longer, in which case, if there were no supplies, he would 
allow them to go. The time came but no supplies. The men started 
home but Jackson went with them. On the way provisions were met 
with, but it required the utmost firmness to force them to return. There 
was a difference of opinion as to when the term of enlistment expired. 



*464 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

The lOth of December was set as the time for their departure for home. 
Col. William Martin was commander of one of the mutinous regiments. 
Gen. Jackson had the men brought out in front of the army, with men 
on either flank and the artillery in front, ready to fire in case the men 
moved. After a sharp dispute between Gen. Jackson and Col. Martin 
the matter was dropped for the time being. Gen. Cocke joined Gen. 
Jackson's forces at Fort Strother with 2,000 East Tennessee troops on 
December 13, 1813. The time of the men having expired, all except 
about 800 were discharged. In the meantime Gen. Coffee, Col. Carroll 
and Eev. Gideon Blackburn had been very active in raising recruits for 
the army to support Gen. Jackson at Fort Strother. The new troops 
were under Cols. Higgius and Perkins and amounted to about 900 men; 
there v;ere two spy companies under Capts. Eussell and Gordon and one 
artillery company under Lieut. Eobert Armstrong. Besides these there 
was a body of the old riflemen under Gen. Coffee. A large force of 
friendly Indians accompanied the expedition. The force started on the 
13th of January. The object was not only to defeat the Indians, but 
particularly to keep up the spirits of the men. On the 20th they en- 
camped at Enotochopco, twelve miles from Emuckfau Creek, near a bend 
in the Tallapoosa. On the 21st Jackson found himself in the vicinity of 
a large force of Indians. The army encamped in a hollow square, ready 
to receive a night attack which was made upon them. The expected at- 
tack fell upon Jackson's left before day, but the line was maintained till 
sunrise, when re-enforcements were sent to their relief. A charge along 
the whole line drove the Indians two miles. The friendly Indians joined 
vigorously in the pursuit. An effort was made by Gen. Coffee to burn 
their fortifications, but did not succeed. An attack was made upon 
Jackson's right, which was sustained by Gen. Coffee and some friendly 
Indians. This was only a preliminary to a heavy assault upon the left 
which Jackson had anticipated and for which he was prepared. After a 
yigorous fight the Americans were able to sustain their lines, when a 
chare-e was made and the Indians were driven a mile, Avith a loss of for- 
ty-three killed. The loss of the whites was four killed, including Maj. 
Alexander Donelson. Gen. Coffee was wounded in the last charge. 

Fearing for the sick and wounded, Gen. Jackson began his movement 
' for his return to Fort Strother. On the 23d he arrived again at Enotochoi)- 
co Creek, where it was evident that the Indians were meditating a night 
attack. He crossed the stream a short distance below the intended ford 
to avoid an ambuscade that had been laid for him. "While the artillery 
was crossing the Enotochopco the Indians suddenly fell Tipon the rear 
guard, they having detected Jackson's movement. Nearly the whole line 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 405 

was thrown into confusion; a part, however, remained firm, and Capt. 
Eussell's spy company was sent to assist till the artillery could be placed 
in position, when it opened upon the Indians with grape, which held 
them in check. Col. Higgins soon led his regiment across the stream. 
A charge along the whole line drove the enemy two miles. The Indians 
left twenty-six dead upon the field. Among the American killed were 
Capts. Hamilton and Quarles. Jackson now returned to Fort Strother, 
Avhere the men whose time had expired were discharged with flattering 
encomiums by the General. 

A dispute arose between Gen. Jackson and Gen. Cocke as to the 
latter's action in the campaign. Crimination and recrimination followed. 
Gen. Cocke was arrested and brought to Nashville for trial, but was tri- 
umphantly acquitted. In March Gen. Jackson was made major-general. 
He was now re-enforced by 2.000 men from East Tennessee, under Gen. 
George Doherty. Seventeen hundred men joined him from West Ten- 
nessee (Middle Tennessee), under Gen. Thomas Johnson; another regi- 
ment of East Tennesseeans, under Col. John Brown; Gen Coffee's caval- 
ry, under Col. Dyer, and the Thirty-ninth Infantry, under Col. John 
Williams. The whole force amounted to nearly 4,000 men, about 1,000 
of which were friendly Indians, under Maj. Mcintosh, a half-breed. The 
supplies for the expedition were collected at Fort Deposit and hauled to 
Fort Strother. Most rigid discipline was enforced by Jackson. The 
execution of John Woods, a lad of eighteen, who had belonged to the 
army but a few weeks, was considered harsh. His offense was a refusal 
to obey an order from a superior, and his execution took place March 
14, the day the army started. On the 26th Jackson reached Cedar 
Creek, where Fort William was built. 

The Indians had concentrated their forces at a bend in the Talla- 
poosa, from its shape called Tohopeka — horseshoe. Here they had col- 
lected about 900 of their warriors and about 300 women and children. 
They had been well supplied with weapons by the British. They had 
been taught that this was holy ground, and to tread upon it would be 
death to the whites. The space enclosed about 100 acres, and the dis- 
tance across the neck was only about 350 yards, which had been pretty 
well fortified by logs and brush. The place was fifty-five miles south of 
Jackson's camp. Toward this Jackson put his column in motion, and 
after eleven days arrived on March 27. The cavalry under Coffee and 
some of the friendly Indians surrounded the place from the river, and 
the main force attacked from the peninsula, first by artillery, but were 
compelled to charge. Col. L. P. Montgomery was first to leap upon the 
works, but was killed; Ensign Houston (Gen. Sam Houston) was shot 



466 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

with an arrow in the thigh, but after several attempts tore it out and 
continued to fight. The friendly Indians slipped across and cut loose 
the boats of the enemy, which were tied next to the town. No Indian 
asked for quarter; 557 dead were left upon the peninsula, and about 
200 more were killed by Gen. Coffees' men and Indians at the river and 
in the woods. Only a few escaped under cover of the night. An Indian 
chief lay under the water and breathed through a long reed till darkness 
gave him a favorable opportunity to escape ; 4 warriors only surrendered 
besides 400 women and children. Jackson lost 25 killed, among whom 
wereMaj. Montgomery, who was of the Thirty-ninth Regulars, and Lieu- 
tenant Somerville; the wounded amounted to 105. The loss to the 
the friendly Indians was 29 killed and 54 wounded. Jackson sunk his 
killed in the river to prevent their being scalped by the Indians, and re- 
turned to Fort Williams with his sick and wounded. On April 7 he 
started for the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa, their "Holy of 
Holies." Most of the Indians were destroyed and their power was for- 
ever broken. Among the chiefs who came in to surrender was William 
Weatherford, an intelligent half-breed, who had planned the attack upon 
Fort Mimms. He rode boldly into the American lines and up to Gen. 
Jackson's quarters. He was mounted upon a magnificent charger, and 
carried with him a large buck, which he presented to the General. With 
the bearing of a king he said: "I am in your power; do with me as you 
please. I am a soldier. I have done the white people all the harm I 
could; I have fought them, and I have fought them bravely. If I had 
an army I would fight you longer and contend to the last, but I have 
none ; my people are all gone. I can now do no more than weep over the 
misfortunes of my nation. All I ask is for the women and children." 
He was treated with great civility, and lived to show his good faith after- 
ward. Fort Jackson, in addition to Fort William, was built to protect 
the conquered country, the former near the junction of Coosa and Talla- 
poosa. A treaty was signed at Fort Jackson on August 9, 1814, by 
which the Indians ceded all the lands east of the Tombigbee and west 
of the Coosa to the United States. The time of enlistment of the men 
having expired, they were discharged. Many of the Creeks never joined 
in the treaty, but their power being broken they joined the Seminoles, 
with whom a war was waged later. The burning of the Hillibee towns 
by Gen. Cocke made that tribe the most furious and implacable of foes. 
They were thought to be kindly disposed but for this unfortunate act. 
The Creeks or Muscogees were the most powerful of the Southern In- 
dians, and before the war their limits extended from the Chattahoochee 
on the east to the Tombigbee on the west; from the Tennessee on the 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 467 

north to Florida on the south. Among them was a tradition that they 
"came out of the ground." 

Gen. Jackson determined to reach the cause of the war, and strike at 
both the Spanish and the British. The threatened condition of the gulf 
■coast led him to urge forward new lines from the States. On September 
10 a British fleet of ninety guns and a large land force of Spanish and 
Indians made an attack upon Fort Boyer at Mobile Harbor, but met 
with a bloody repulse. The levies under Gen. Coffee left New Orleans 
October 1 to join Jackson at Mobile. Jackson determined to reduce 
Pensacola, and determined to take possession of the forts there. The 
march for the place began on November 2, and the vicinity of Pensacola 
was reached on the 6th. A flag of truce was sent to the Spanish gover- 
nor demanding the surrender of the forts to the Americans, to prevent 
the British from using them to the detriment of the Americans. The 
flag was fired on and compelled to return. Another effort was made the 
next day by sending a Spanish corporal to the governor with a letter 
demanding possession of the forts. A very polite note was sent to Jack- 
son, stating that the firing upon the flag had been done by the British. 
Jackson then demanded the surrender of the forts within an hour. This 
was refused. Jackson then sent a force of 500 men to draw the fire of 
the British fleet, while with the remaining force he attacked the Spanish 
in the streets and forts. The white flag was soon displayed, and the 
British fleet was driven off. Fort Barrancos, fourteen miles west, was 
abandoned and blown up by the British the next day to prevent its cap- 
ture. Jackson then hastened to Mobile to ward off a threatened attack 
on that place, but the place being relieved, he hurried on to the defense 
of New Orleans on November 22, where he arrived on December 1. 
Gen. Coffee moved with the cavalry toward the Mississippi, striking that 
at Baton Rouge. After suffering almost untold hardships from rains, 
cypress swamps and other difficulties from traveling through an unin- 
habited country of pine forests, he reached there with his men and horses 
in a sad plight. Jackson himself turned to New Orleans on horseback, 
which he reached after an eight days' ride. Sickness and the hardships 
of the campaign had almost reduced him to the grave. He was agree- 
ably entertained at breakfast at Mr. J. K. Smith's on the morning of his 
arrival. 

The accomplished Mrs. Smith was greatly disappointed in his appear- 
ance. She saw nothing in him but "an ugly old Kentucky flat-boat 
man," instead of "your grand general with his plumes, epaulettes and 
long handsome mustache." To oppose the British forces, consisting of 
over 10,000 soldiers and 50 heavy war vessels of 1,000 guns and 10,000 



4:QS HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

sailors, tlieir officers being in gay uniform and fresh from the war with 
Napoleon, Jackson had only about 2,000 men dispirited and poorly clad. 
Re-enforcements were hurried forward from every quarter. The new 
levies from Tennessee, under Gen. Carroll, were sent down the river ; not 
more than one in ten were armed when they started. The high stage 
of the river enabled them to make rapid progress. Fortunately they fell 
in with a vessel that was loaded with arms, and they were thus supplied. 

So many went for the defense of New Orleans that the venerable 
Peter Cartwright said his congregation was small, but he deemed it best 
that they should go with Gen. Jackson. The danger being so imminent 
Jackson sent a message to Gen. Coffee, who was now at Baton Rouge, 
129 miles away, to hurry with all speed with his riflemen, who now num- 
bered 1,250. Leaving about 300, who could not travel so rapidly, he 
started with the remainder and marched fifty miles the first day. Here he 
left 400 or 500, but with the remainder he marched seventy miles, which 
brought him within four miles of headquarters. He himself rode on 
and reported orders. The others came on in due time. These were 
dressed in hunting shirts, copperas-dyed pantaloons made by wife, 
mother or sister. They wore slouched woolen hats ,or coon-skin caps, 
adorned with a fox tail. They carried a knife and a tomahawk in a leather 
belt. Their hair and whiskers were long and unkempt. 

Such was their appearance that the British declared them to be a 
posse comifatus. Gen. Carroll's men arrived in season. A night 
attack was planned by Jackson upon the British, on December 23, at 
Gen. Yillere's plantation. The cavalry was led by Gen. Coffee and the 
infantry by Jackson. It was only a partial success; Coffee and CoL 
Lauderdale both distinguished themselves. The American loss was 24 
killed, 115 wounded and 74 prisoners. The British loss was estimated 
at 400. The British attacked the Americans on December 28, and after a 
seven hours' bombardment drew off. In this engaijement the Americans 
lost 7 men killed and 10 wounded; among the killed was Col. Henderson, 
of Tennessee. On January 1 there was an engagement between the 
British and the Tennessee troops, in which there were 11 killed and 23 
of the latter wounded. On the 8th of January, 1815, was fought the 
battle that will ever be memorable for the great disjjarity of losses if 
nothing more. The British attacked in heavy columns and with great 
determination, and were met by the Americans with great spirit. Gens. 
Packenham and Gibbs, of the British, were both mortally wounded. A 
regiment of Scotch Highlanders charged in front of Gen. Carroll's Ten- 
nesseeaus and left 544 of their number on the field. Maj. Wilkinson 
mounted the American works and fell mortally wounded. His admiring 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 469 

enemies bore him tenderly within the works and said: "Bear up, dear 
fellow, you are too brave to die." In twenty-five minutes' time the Brit- 
ish lost 700 killed, 1,400 wounded and 500 prisoners. The American loss 
was but 8 killed and 7 wounded. The British, disconcerted, returned to 
•their ships and in a few days sailed away. Peace came and Jackson 
and his men received the plaudits of the nation for a victory that was 
useless, yet none the less brilliant. On March 15 he dismissed his men 
with: "Go, then, my brave companions, to your homes; to those tender 
connections and those blissful scenes which render life so dear, full of 
honor and crowned with laurels which shall never fade." Whether the 
British had promised their soldiers, as is generally believed, the license 
of " beauty and booty " or not, the Americans believed it and so fought. 
Trouble began with the Seminole Indians in 1817. The name Sem- 
inole is said to mean vagrant, reckless, and they are supposed to have 
sprung from the Creeks. The Seminoles, Creeks and escaped negroes 
began ravages in Georgia. The difficulty grew out of the treaty of 
Ghent made with Great Britain at the close of the war of 1812. By 
that treaty it was stipulated that the previous boundaries should be con- 
firmed, and the Creeks being allies of Great Britain claimed their old 
boundaries, thus not recognizing the treaty made between them and 
Gen. Jackson. This the American Government refused to grant. Gen. 
Gaines sent Col. Twiggs from Fort Scott to Fowltown, thirteen miles 
distant, to demand of the chief some Indians who had been committing 
depredations. The party was fired upon, when the fire was returned and 
a woman and two warriors were killed and the town burned by order of 
Gen. Gaines. Supplies were brought up the Appalachicola, by permis- 
sion from the Spanish, to forts in the Creek country. On November 30, 
as Lieut. Scott was proceeding up the river with a boat of supplies, forty 
soldiers, seven women and four children, he was fired on by a party of 
concealed Indians, and every one (except four who leaped out and swam 
ashore) was killed and one woman was carried off. Gen. Jackson 
was sent to conduct the war. He was instructed by the Secretary of 
War, Mr. Calhoun, to call on the adjacent States for such additional 
troops as he might need. He was not long in construing this order to 
mean Tennessee. He issued a call and set January 11, 1818, as the day 
of rendezvous at Fayetteville. Two regiments of 1,000 men assembled 
under Cols. Dyer and Williamson, and a body of 100 men under Capt. 
Dunlap; the whole were under Inspector-Gen. Hayne. Jackson himself 
left Nashville on January 22 and joined his forces. He started with 
twenty days' rations. He experienced the same difficulties as in 1813-14. 
Supplies were ordered to be shipped from New Orleans to Fort Scott^ 



470 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

where he arrived on March 9, a distance of 450 miles, with 1,100 hungry 
men. This was accomplished in forty-six days. Before arriving at Fort 
Scott he was joined by Mcintosh, now a brigadier-general in the United 
States Army, with 2,000 Indians. 

Perceiving the Spanish were giving aid to the Indians, Jackson de- 
termined to capture Fort St. Mark's, a Spanish fort. He left Negro Fort, 
now rebuilt and called Fort Gadsden, on March 26, and arrived before 
St. Mark's April 7. On his way he destroyed several Indian towns. On 
the 8th Jackson entered St. Mark's, and hauled down the Spanish flag 
and ran up the American flag, notwithstanding the protest of the Spanish 
governor. Here was captured Alexander Arbuthnot, a Scotch trader, 
who was aiding the Indians. On his way to St. Mark's Capt, McKeever, 
of the navy, who was going to the assistance of Jackson, lured the 
prophet Francis and his head chief on board his vessel by displaying an 
English flag, and held them as prisoners. They were executed by Gen. 
Jackson for being at the massacre at Fort Mimms. On the 11th he 
started for the Suwanee Old Towns, 107 miles distant. After a tiresome 
march through snows and bogs he arrived to find the towns deserted, 
the Indian chief. Bowlegs, and his warriors having fled. Here was cap- 
tured R. C. Ambrister, an Englishman of rank, who had been suspended 
from the army for sending a challenge for a duel. He was assisting the 
Indians against the Americans. Jackson returned to St. Mark's on the 
26th. A court martial was called to try Arbuthnot and Ambrister, which 
ended in two days in their conviction. The sentence was approved by 
Jackson and they were executed, the former having been hung and the 
latter shot. Jackson returned to Fort Gadsden, where he remained a few 
days, when he started for Pensacola. The Indians were committing 
depredations in that vicinity, and were receiving protection from the 
Spaniards. Jackson seized the place in spite of the governor's protest, 
and placed thereon an American garrison. The execution of Ambrister 
and Arbuthnot and the invasion of Spanish territory came near involving 
the United States in war with England and Spain. Fort Gadsden, form- 
erly called Negro Fort, was built about seventeen miles above the coast, 
on the Appalachicola, by Col. Nichols during the war of 1812, and was 
a store-house for the Indians. After the war the Indians neglected it 
and Garij'on took possession of it with several hundred runaway negroes. 
They refused to allow supplies to go up the river, when it was de- 
termined to destroy the fort. It was surrounded by settlers and friendly 
Indians, but they were unable to make any impression on it. A gun- 
boat was ordered up the river to assist in its destruction. This was in 
1816. The fort was defended by ten or twelve cannon, and had stored 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 471 

in the magazine 700 barrels of powder. A red-liot shell fired from the 
gun-boat lodged in the magazine and a terrific explosion followed. Of 
334 inmates only three were unhurt. The explosion is said to have 
been felt for 100 miles. A treaty was signed at Moultrie Creek Septem- 
ber 18, 1823, by which the Seminoles were to be kept in the interior, 
and were paid the sum of $5,000 a year for twenty years. 

The pressure of the whites upon the Indians to take possession of 
their rich lands led to frequent difficulties, and not unfrequently were 
persons killed by the Indians. To avoid these growing evils it was de- 
termined by the Government if possible to send the Seminoles to a reser- 
vation west of the Mississippi River. The Indian chiefs were sent to 
the Indian Nation to examine the situation and report. Arriving there 
in the winter they were not favorably impressed, but were at last induced 
to sign a treaty. Through the influence of Col. Gadsden this treaty was 
made at Payne's Landing, May .9, 1832, by which it was stipulated that 
the Indians, for a small consideration, should within three years move to 
a new reservation west of the Mississippi River. Osceola and other 
chiefs bitterly opposed this. Gen. Thompson, who had wronged Osceola, 
was killed December 23, 1835, and on the same day Maj, Dade and 110 
men were waylaid and massacred in Wahoo Swamp. Volunteers were 
called for in June, 1836, the apportionment of Tennessee being 2,000, 
more than double the number offered. The East Tennessee troups ren- 
dezvoused at Athens and elected R, G. Dunlap brigadier-general over 
their brigade. Troops of Middle Tennessee assembled at Fayetteville, the 
old place of rendezvous. Here met the companies of Capt. Rodgers, of 
Warren County ; Capts. Jetton and Yoakum, of Rutherford ; Turney and 
Roberts, of Franklin ; Terry, of Bledsoe ; Cronck, of Williamson ; Henry, 
of Robertson; Grundy, Washington and Battles, of Davidson; and 
Trousdale and Guilt, of Sumner. These were organized into a brigade, 
of which Robert Armstrong was elected general; Washington Barron, 
adjutant; A. M. Upsham, inspector-general, and W. G. Dickson, sur- 
geon. Of the First Regiment A. M. Bradford was colonel ; T. H. Cahal, 

lieutenant-colonel; Goff, first major; Powhatan Gordon, second 

major. Of the Second Regiment W. Trousdale was colonel ; J. C. Guilt, 
lieutenant-colonel ; — — - Meddow, first major ; W. L. Washington, sec- 
ond major, and J. P. Grundy, adjutant. 

The force moved in due time following near Jackson's old route to the 
Creek Nation. The army was little encumbered by baggage, as what 
little was carried was placed upon Sumter mules and the necessity of 
wheeled vehicles was in a great measure avoided. The army moved 
from Huntsville by way of Elyton, Montgomery, to Watumpka or Camp 



472 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. -v^ 

Jordan, wliere it remained till the 1st of September. It then crossed 
the Coosa at Fort Meigs, the Appalachicola at the confluence of the Flint 
and Chattahoochee, thence by way of Qiiincy, Marietta to Tallahassee. 
From Tallahassee the army moved through the wilderness to the Suwa- 
nee Old Towns, thence to Fort Drane. On October 13, a battle was 
fought on the Withlacoochee with no great loss on either side. The 
forces were compelled to withdraw for supplies but returned, and another 
engagement was fought on November 13 near the same place. Bat- 
tles were fought at the Wahoo Swamp on the 18th and 21st of Novem- 
ber, Osceola, Sam Jones, and Alligator are said to have been present on 
the side of the Indians. After a stubbornly contested engagement, the 
Indians retreated into their fastnesses. This was the last fighting done 
by the Tennesseans. The army marched to Tampa Bay, thence by ship 
to New Orleans, and from there went home. The war was finally brought 
to a close by Gen. Taylor. With 600 regulars he left Fort Gardner, and 
on December 19 gained the most decisive victory of the war at Lake 
Okechobee. He was made a brigadier-general for his success at Oke- 
chobee, and on the resignation of Gen. Jessup the whole conduct of the 
war was entrusted to him. His policy was to carry out the stipulations 
of the existing treaty. As fast as a sufficient number of Indians were 
captured or gave themselves up, they were sent to the reservation. By 
1839 he had sent 1,900 to their future homes. The war could not be 
said to be closed till 1842, with a loss of 1,466 lives by disease, such as 
yellow fever and other diseases pecular to that climate, and by Indian 
bullets and scalping knives, and an expense of $10,000,000. 

Texas was early an inviting field for adventurous speculators and per- 
sons seeking homes. Many, after the Creek and Seminole wars, went 
there from a spirit of adventure alone. The disturbed condition of that 
unfortunate republic, with its periodical revolutions, compelled those 
living in Texas to protect themselves against the aggressions of the Mex- 
ican Government. Among the most .distinguished men living in Texas 
was Gen. Sam Houston, of Tennessee, who had won renown in the Creek 
war, also had been distinguished as a political leader. The settlers of 
Texas were largely American, and the tyranny of Mexico led them to rev- 
olution. Many old friends and companions in arms of Houston flocked 
to his standard, he at this time being at the head of the revolution. Af- 
ter varying turns of fortune, a decisive victory was gained at San Jacinto 
on April 21, 1836, which resulted in the complete discomfiture of the 
Mexican forces and the capture of Santa Anna, the Mexican president. 
"While a prisoner, he signed with the Texans their treaty of independ- 
ence. The State maintained its independence for ten years, though after 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 473 

the release of Santa Anna, he disavowed the act done by himself, on the 
ground of its being done while a prisoner of war. Texas made applica- 
tion for admission into the American Union. This was bitterly opposed 
by the Mexican authorities on the ground that she had never acknowl- 
edged the independence of Texas, and that Texas was still a part of the 
Mexican Government. This became a question in American politics. 
The elections of 1844 were favorable to the issue of the Texan admission. 
Mexico claimed sovereignty not only over all Texas, but particularly that 
part lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande Rivers. A threatened 
invasion of this territory on the part of the Mexican authorities, led the 
American Government to send Gen. Taylor with a large force of United 
States troops into the disputed territory to take post at Corpus Christi, 
at the mouth of the Nueces. After some negotiations fot peace, on March 
8, 18-4P), Gen. Taylor advanced to Point Isabel, thence in a few days to 
the point on the Rio Grande opposite Matamoras. On his arrival there 
Ampudia notified Gen. Taylor that his forces must quit the territory be- 
tween the Rio Grande and the Nueces within twenty-four hours, or risk 
the consequences. Taylor's communications with Point Isabel, his base 
of supplies, were threatened by Mexican cavalry. He went with his 
main force to open communications, and in his absence, his works at 
Matamoras were attacked and Maj. Brown was killed. In honor of him 
the American work was called Fort Brown. 

On May 8 Gen. Taylor in his return to Matamoras encountered Gen. 
Ampudia at Palo Alto. An engagement ensued and the Mexicans were 
forced to retreat with a loss of 600 men. The American loss was 6 killed 
and 44 wounded. Another battle was fought on the 9th at Resaca de la 
Palma, in which the Mexicans were again defeated, with a loss of 1,000 
men, the American loss being only 110. On the announcement of these 
enofao-ements, it was stated that American blood had been shed on Amer- 
can soil. 

The President declared that war existed between the United States 
and Mexico, and called for 50,000 volunteers. Congress immediately 
appropriated $10,000,000 for carrying on the war. The apportionment 
of volunteers for Tennessee was 2,000, and Gov. A. V. Brown called for 
that number. It was finally agreed to accept 2,400 men, 1,600 ijifantry, 
and 800 cavalry. Such was the spirit for volunteering, that ifc became a 
question, not as to who must go, but who may go. It was remarked that 
a draft would be necessary to compel men to stay at home. The State 
was divided into four military districts : one in East, two in Middle and one 
in "West Tennessee. The volunteers of the middle division consisted of 
the Harrison Guards — Captain R. C. Foster ; Lieutenants A. Heiman and 



474 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

George Maney; the Nashville Blues — Captain B. F. Cheatham; Lieuten- 
ants "William R. Bradfute, and E. Eastman ; Shelbyville Guards — Captain 
Edward Frierson ; Lieutenants J. L. Scudder and G. W. Buchanan ; the 
Polk Guards — Captain K A. Bennett; Lieutenants J. M. Shaver and 
Patrick Duffey; Tenth Legion — Captain S. R. Anderson; Lieutenants 
William M. Blackmore and P. L. Solmon; Union Boys — Captain W. B. 
Walton; Lieutenants Samuel High and C.W. Dixon; Dixon Spring Guards 
— Captain L. P. McMurray ; Lieutenants W. Bradley and James Lanahan ; 
Lincoln Guards — Captain Pry or Buchanan ; Lieutenants A. L.Fulton and 
J.V. Myers. La wrenceville Blues — Captain A. S. Alexander; Lieutenants 
James Burkitt and G. H. Nixon. Hickory Guards — Captain J. Whit- 
field; Lieutenants J. B. Easley and L. P. Totty. Richland Guards — 
Captain H. Mauldin; Lieutenants W. P. Davis and W. H. McCrory. 
Mountain Blues — Captain A. Northcutt ; Lieutenants E. M. Mercer and J. 
J. Hill. These men rendezvoused at the race course near Nashville. The 
regiment was organized June 3, 1846; William B. Campbell, of Smith 
County, colonel ; Samuel R. Anderson, of Sumner County, lieutenant-col- 
onel; Richard Alexander, of Smith County, first major, and Robert Far- 
quharson, of Lincoln County, second major; Adolphus Heiman was 
made adjutant; Dr. McPhail, surgeon, and W. D. Morris, assistant sur- 
geon. These companies were constituted the First Regiment. Before 
leaving for the seat of war a beautiful flag was presented to the regi- 
ment by Miss Irene C. Taylor, in behalf of the young ladies of the Nash- 
ville Female Academy. On the 4th and 5th of June they left Nashville 
for New Orleans. The Second Regiment was ordered to assemble at 
Camp Carroll, near Memphis, on June 15, 1846. These men were sworn 
into the service by Gen. Hay. The forces consisted of the Tennessee 
Guards, Capt. H. P. Maney; Avengers, Capt. T. P. Joues; Memphis 
Rifle Guards, Capt. E. F. Ruth; Gaines Guards, Capt. M. B. Cook. In 
addition to these were the following cavalry companies : Fayette Cavalry, 
Capt. J. Lenow, and the Eagle Guards, Capt. W. N, Porter. From East 
Tennessee came the Knoxville Dragoons, under Capt. Caswell; Claiborne 
Blues, Capt, Evans, and the Rhea County Cavalry, Capt. Waterhouse. 
The infantry companies from this section were Capt. Standifer, from 
Hamilton ; Capt. Lowery, from McMinn ; Capt. McCown, from Sevier, and 
Capt. R. L. Kilpatrick, from Anderson, instead of Capt. Barnett, of Sul- 
livan. The oflicers of the Second Tennesse were J. E, Thomas, colonel; 
R. D. Allison, lieutenant-colonel, and Richard Waterhouse, major. 

The cavalry of this division moved by way of Little Rock, Fulton, 
San Antonio and joined Gen. Taylor at Matamoras. Each regiment and 
company was given an ovation on their departure. The First Regiment, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 475 

consisting of twelve companies, embarked at New Orleans on June 17, 
and arrived on the Brazos early in July, and were stationed at Camargo 
till August 29, when the rest of the men were called to assist in the capt- 
ure of Monterey. The hot weather and climatic causes made a worse 
havoc in the ranks than Mexican bullets. The regiments were soon 
sadly depleted before seeing any active service. The First Kegiment was 
attached to Gen. Quitman's brigade and the Second to Gen. Gideon J. 
Pillow's brigade. The line of march for Monterey was taken up on Sep- 
tember 7, and on the 19th the army was within five miles of the city. 
The 20th was employed in preparing for battle. The American forces 
consisted of about 6,000 troops, the city was defended by about 10,000 
Mexicans. The battle was fouhgt on the 21st. The city was strongly 
fortified and stood at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. The points of defense 
were Taneria and the Black Fort on the east and Bishop's Palace on the 
west. The Tennessee troops were to the left on the east. -Their eager- 
ness to measure strength with their enemies was intense. The guns 
from Fort Taneria greeted them with both musketry and artillery fire and 
the bloody work began. They were within eighty yards of the works 
before they fired on the Mexicans, although they were suffering terribly. 
As the fire of the Americans opened the fire of the Mexicans slackened. 
A rush was made for the parapets and the flag of the First was the first 
planted on the battlements of Monterey. Of 350 men in the charge 105 
were lost. Among these 26 were killed, 77 were wounded and 2 were 
missing. From private to colonel every man acted gallantly. The city 
of Monterey capitulated on the 25th. After the surrender of the city an 
armistice of four months followed, during which time efforts for peace 
were made. The truce having ended a large portion of Taylor's men 
were withdrawn and given to Gen. Scott, who was meditating a descent 
upon Vera Cruz. The movement began December 14 

In the meantime the two Tennessee regiments had been placed in the 
brigade of Gen. Pillow. On December 14 the troops started for Tampico, 
the place of embarkation. They were finally landed at Vera Cruz on 
March 9, 1847, and approaches were begun. The siege guns opened on 
the city on the 22d, and continued till the 27th. On the 26th a detachment 
of six companies of the First and Second Tennessee Kegiments was as- 
signed the duty of assaulting a barricade defending Madeline Bridge. 
The battalion was led by Col. Haskell. Capt. Foster was the first to 
leap upon the work. The place was carried with little loss. The city of 
Vera Cruz and the strong castle of San Juan de UUoa surrendered on the 
29th. Gen. Scott's army began its march toward the City of Mexico 
April 9, and on the 18th, his progress was disputed at Cerro Gordo. In 



476 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the assault that followed the Tennesseeans were on the left of the line. 
The assault w^as vigorous but the Second, entangled in the chapparal in 
front of the works, suffered terribly. The loss in the two regiments was 
79, 8 being from the First and the remainder being from the Second. 
Gen. Pillow was among the wounded. The army then moved forward to 
Jalapa. The time of service of the Tennesseeans having expired the 
remaining portion of the regiments were sent to New Orleans, where they 
were mustered out. Gen. Scott moved his army on to Pueblo, where he 
was compelled to await re-enforcements to fill his much depleted ranks. 
A call was made on Tennessee for two additional regiments, the Third 
and the Fourth, and a battalion of six companies called the Fourteenth. 
Capt. B. F. Cheatham was largely instrumental in raising the Third. It 
was composed of the companies of Capt. Chambliss, from Giles and Mar- 
shal Counties, Capt. Solomon, of Sumner ; Capt. Whitfield, of Hickman ; 
Capts. Trigg and Bradf ute, of Davidson ; Capt. CoUyer, of Franklin ; Capt. 

Douley, of Kutherford and Coffee ; Capt. ,of De Kalb ; Capt. Anderson, of 

Coffee, and Capt. Lef tnick of Maury and Lewis Counties. Capt. Cheatham 
was elected colonel of the Third and it was mustered into the service on 
October 8, 1847. Their place of rendezvous was about two and a half 
miles from Nashville on the Nolensville pike. The Fourth Eegiment 
Avas composed of the companies of Capt. H. Dill, of McMinn ; Capt. C. J. 
Flagg, of Blount; Capt. E. Oliver, of Anderson; Capt. J. B. Collins, of 
Bradley ; Capt. E. Thomason, of Grainger ; Capt. J. C. Vaughn, of Mon- 
roe; Capt. J. J. Reese, of Jefferson; Capt. G. W. Bounds, of Hawkins; 
Capt. G. W. Kenzie, of Meigs; Capt. McClellan, of Sullivan; Capt. 
"VVaterhouse, of Rhea, and Capts. Parson and Council, of Knox. Capt. 
Waterhouse, of Rhea, was elected colonel. The remaining forces of 
the State rendezvoused at Camp Carroll or Carrollton under Col. 
Trousdale. 

These forces were all taken to New Orleans by boat, thence by vessel 
to Vera Cruz. Here they were formed into a brigade, but did not arrive at 
the City of Mexico until the work of capture was done. However, Gen. 
Pillow paid a visit to Tennessee in the summer of 1847, and returned in 
July and joined Scott's army at Pueblo. He was in the advance upon 
the City of Mexico and engaged in the battles of Churubusco, Chapulte- 
pec, Molino del Ray and the seige of the city. He was one of the com- 
missioners to negotiate the surrender. Some very distinguished men 
were developed by this war ; among them may be mentioned Govs. Trous- 
dale and Campbell, and Gens. B. F. Cheatham and Pillow. On settle- 
ment of the Mexican question the soldiers of Tennessee returned to their 
homes to enjoy the full measure of praise their valor upon the field had won. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 477 



CHAPTER XV. 

Federal Military History — Cause of the Loyalty of East Tennessee — Ar- 
raignment OF THE General Assembly and of the Executive by the 
Union Conventions— The Concentration of the Confederate Forces at 
Knoxville— Organization of the Unionists— The Helpless Situation of 
Loyal Citizens— Active Military Operations— Selected Illustrative 
Correspondence— The Execution of the Bridge Burners— Arrest of 
THE Union Leaders— An Outline of the Principal Military Move- 
ments— Burnsides' Occupation— Siege of Knoxville— The Concluding 
Skirmishes — Sketches of the Regiments. 



•N 



O fact connected with the late civil war, abounding in striking 
events and gigantic achievements, is more remarkable than the 
number of troops furnished by Tennessee to the Federal Army. It is 
scarcely credible that a State with a voting population of only about 
140,000, raising nearly 100,000 troops for the Confederate Army, should 
also have furnished 30,000 men to fight for the Union. It becomes still 
more remarkable to consider that a very large proportion of this 30,000 
came from a division of the State, having a male population between the 
ages of twenty and fifty, of only 45,000; and that unlike the volunteer 
from the Northern States, the Union soldier from Tennessee was not 
tempted to enlist by a munificent State bounty, nor impelled by the force 
of public opinion, but on the contrary, to do so, he was forced to escape 
from an enemy's watchful guard at night and, leaving his home and all 
he held dear to the mercy of a hostile foe, make his way across the bleak 
and cheerless mountains, to the Union camps in Kentucky. 

For an explanation of this remarkable adherence to the Union on the 
part of the people of East Tennessee, it is necessary to look to the origin 
of the war. As many as have been its alleged causes, all may be 
traced to the one prime cause, slavery ; all others were the result of or 
incident to slavery, as has been shown by Dr. Draper, in his history of 
the war. The difference in climate, soil and physical features between 
the North and the South, through its effect upon the growth of slavery, 
was a remote agency in producing strife between the two sections. On 
the other hand, the dissimilarity in character, occupation and political 
sentiments of the people was largely the result of their different systems 
of labor. It is true, the difference in character of the original colonists 
was a more or less important factor, but its effect was not great. 

East Tennessee was settled by the same class of people as that part of 
the State west of the Cumberland Mountains, and at one time the people 

30 



4:78 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

of the two sections were homogeneous ; but owing to the peculiar topogra- 
phy of the former, however, slave labor was not very profitable, and com- 
paratively few slaves were owned — the proportion of the free men be- 
ing about as one to twenty. The same divergence of interest grew up be- 
tween East Tennessee and the middle and western divisions of the State, 
as between the North and South as a whole. Consequently upon all ques- 
tions of political and domestic economy. East Tennessee was usually 
identified with the Northern States. Since 183G, as a whole, it had 
been strongly "Whig, and in some sections for many years, a strong aboli- 
tion sentiment had existed; when therefore, it was proposed to sacrifice 
the Union to perpetuate slavery, the majority of the people of East 
Tennessee joined with the freemen of the North, to prevent its consum- 
mation. They foresaw that should a Confederacy of the slave States be- 
come established, the person who owned no slaves, as a factor in politics 
and in society, would be a cipher. It is undoubtedly true that the great 
body of the people did not see this result, but their leaders did, and per- 
haps in no State were the masses more submissive to leadership than in 
Tennessee. 

In addition to this the State, as a whole, had always been intensely 
patriotic. The readiness with which she had come to the defense of the 
country, when threatened by an alien or a savage foe, had won for her 
the name of "The Volunteer State." It was the greatest of Tennesseeans 
who said: " The Union! It must and shall be preserved." Even the ma- 
jority of those who joined in the support of the Confederacy, did so, only 
when they felt it to be their highest duty, and it was with no feigned grief 
that they left the old " stars and stripes," to rally around a new and 
strange flag. As has been stated, the preponderance of Union sentiment 
in Tennessee was in the eastern division of tlie State, yet at the election 
in 18G0 the majority for the "Union" electors was quite large throughout 
the State. Even after the secession of South Carolina and other more 
Southern States, the entire State remained firmly for the Union, as was 
shown by a vote of 24,749 for, to 91,803 against calling a convention. 
But after the attack upon Fort Sumter, and the call for troops by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, which worked such a change in the sentiment of the people 
of this State, the stronghold of the Unionists was in East Tennessee. At 
the election held in June, to vote on the question of separation or no 
separation, while the total number of votes in the State against that meas- 
ure was 47,274, 32,9G2 of them were cast in East Tennessee.* 

This result was due in a great measure to the position taken by 
the political leaders Andrew Johnson, T. A. R. Nelson, William G. 

*See elsewhere for the full returns of these elections. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 479 

Brownlow, Horace Maynard, Connolly F. Trigg, William B. Carter and 
others, who took a determined stand against secession and did all in their 
power to prevent Tennessee from going out of the Union. To determine 
the relative amount of influence exerted by each individual would be^ an 
impossibility. Mr. Johnson has by many been accorded the credit for 
the loyalty of East Tennessee, and it was in part due to his influence. 
He was very popular with the Democracy of the State, and especially of 
his congressional district, and his powerful pleas for the Union carried 
many of his party with him. But with the Whig element he could have 
had but little influence, since he had advocated the election of Breckin- 
ridge at the preceding presidential election, and had otherwise rendered 
himself obnoxious to them. In fact, as has been stated, the Whio-s of 
East Tennessee were naturally attached to the Union, and diametrically 
opposed to the principles of the extreme Democracy, which had inaug- 
urated the Eebellion. It, therefore, required only the eloquence and zeal 
of the old leaders Nelson, Maynard, Brownlow and others to fire them 
with an enthusiasm for the Union and the " old flag," which not even the 
hardships of four years of war served to abate. On the 30th of May 
preceding that election, about 500 delegates, representing nearly every 
county in East Tennessee, assembled at Knoxville in pursuance of the 
following call: 

The undersigned, a portion of the people of East Tennessee, disapproving the hasty 
and inconsiderate action of our General Assembly, and sincerely desirous to do, in the 
midst of the trouble which surrounds us, what will be best for our country, and for all 
classes of our citizens, respectfully appoint a convention to be held in Knoxville on 
Thursday, the 30th of May inst. ; and we urge every county in East Tennessee to send dele- 
gates to this convention, that the conservative element of our whole section may be repre- 
sented, and that wise and judicious counsels may prevail — looking to peace and harmony 
among ourselves. 

F. S. Heiskell, John Williams, W. H. Rogers, 

John J. Craig, S. R. Rogers, John Baxter, 

Dr. W. Rogers, O. P. Temple, W.G. Brownlow, 

* Joan Tunnell, C. F. Trigg, [and others.] 

C. H. Baker, David Burnett, 

The convention met at Temperance Hall, and was called to order by 
Connolly F. Trigg, upon whose motion John Baxter was chosen tempo- 
rary president, and John M. Fleming, temporary secretary. Prayer was 
offered by Eev. Thomas W. Humes, after which Thomas A. R. Nelson 
was chosen president, and John M. Fleming, secretary. After addresses 
by the president and Gen. Thomas D. Arnold, and the appointment of a 
general committee representing the various counties, the convention 
adjourned to meet the next morning. On the next day the committee, 
through their chairman, Col. Trigg, submitted their report which, after 
considerable debate, was amended and finally adopted. The following 



480 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

are some of tlie resolutions, wliicli were preceded by a preamble of con- 
siderable length: 

We, therefore, the delegates here assembled, representing and reflecting, as we verily 
believe, the opinions and wishes of a large majority of the people of East Tennessee, do 
resolve and declare: 

First. That the evil which now afflicts our beloved country in our opinion is the 
legitimate result of the ruinous and heretical doctrine of secession; that the people of East 
Tennessee have ever been, and we believe still ai"e opposed to it by a very large majority. 

Second. That while the country is upon the very threshold of a most ruinous and 
desolating civil war, it may with truth be said, and we protest before God, that the people 
(so far as we can see) have done nothing to produce it. 

* ** * * * * * * 

Sixth. That the Legislature of the State, without having first obtained the consent 
of the people, had no authority to enter into a " military league" with the " Confederate 
States" against the General Government, and by so doing to put the State of Tennessee 
in hostile array against the government of which it then was and still is a member. Sucli 
legislation in advance of the expressed will of the people to change their governmental 
relations was an act of usurpation, and should be visited with the severest condemnation 
of the people. 

Seventh. That the forming of such "military league," and thus practically assum- 
ing the attitude of an enemy towards the General Government (this, too, in the absence 
of any hostile demonstration against the State) has afforded the pretext for raising, arm- 
ing and equipping a large military force, the expense of which must be enormous, and 
will have to be paid by the people. And to do this, the taxes, already onerous enough, 
will necessarily have to be very greatly increased, and probably to an extent beyond the 
ability to pay. 

Eighth. That the General Assembly by passing a law authorizing the volunteers to vote 
wherever they may be on the day of election, whether in or out of the State, and in offer- 
ing to the "Confederate States" the capitol of Tennessee, together with other acts, have 
exercised powers and stretched their authority to an extent not within their constitutional 
limits, and not justified by the usages of the country. 

Ninth. That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of 
non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish and destructive 
of the good and happiness of mankind. 

Tenth. That the position which the people of our sister State of Kentucky have 
assumed in this momentous crisis, commands our highest admiration. Their interests are 
our interests. Their policy is the true policy, as we believe, of Tennessee and all the bor- 
der States. And in the spirit of freemen, with an anxious desire to avoid the waste of 
the blood and the treasure of our State, we appeal to the people of Tennessee, while it is 
yet in their power, to come up in the majesty of their strength and restore Tennessee to 
her true position. 

Eleventh. We shall await with the utmost anxiety the decision of the people of Ten- 
nessee on the 8th day of next month*, and sincerely trust that wiser counsels will pervade 
the great fountain of freedom (the people) than seem to have actuated their constituted 
agent. 

Twelfth. For the promotion of the peace and harmony of the people of East Ten- 
nessee, it is deemed expedient that this convention should again assemble, therefore: 
Resolved, That when this convention adjourns, it adjourns to meet again at such time and 
place as the president or vice-president in his absence may determine and publish. 

After the adoption of the above resolution an eloquent and effective 
address was delivered by Andrew Johnson. This convention was com- 

*Beference luaile to the election to be held Juue 8, 18G1. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 481 

posed of representative men of East Tennessee, men of influence and 
ability. They foresaw the result of the coming election, but not wishing 
to anticipate it by any act, made provision for a future meeting. The 
number of delegates in attendance is evidence of the intense interest in 
the question before the people; 5,000 copies of the proceedings of the 
convention were printed and distributed over the State, but it was of lit- 
tle avail in stemming the tide of secession which swept over Middle and 
West Tennessee. The leaders in those divisions, with few exceptions, 
notably among whom was Emerson Etheridge, had been carried away 
by it. So strong was the influence that such men as Niell S. Brown, 
Judge E. L. Caruthers, Felix K. Zollicoffer and many others, who at the 
previous election had voted against a convention, were now amono- the 
strongest advocates of disunion. The election on the 8th of June re- 
sulted as shown elsewhere, and three days later Judge Nelson issued a call 
for the East Tennessee Convention to meet on the 17th of that month at 
Greeneville. Delegates from all of the counties except Rhea assembled 
at the appointed time, and continued in session four days. Their labors 
resulted in the preparation of the declaration of grievances, of which the 
following is an extract, and the adoption of the resolutions succeeding: 

We, the people of East Tennessee, a^^ain assembled in a convention of our delegates 
make the following declaration in addition to that heretofore promulgated by us at Knox- 
ville on the 30th and 31st of May last. So far as we can learn, the election held in tiiis 
State on the 8th day of the present month was free, with but few exceptions, in no other 
part of the State than East Tennessee. In the larger part of Middle and West Tennessee 
no speeches or discussion in favor of the Union were permitted. Union papers were not 
allowed to circulate. Measures were taken in some parts of West Tennessee in defiance 
of the constitution and laws which allow folded tickets, to have the ballots numbered in 
such a manner as to mark and expose the Union voter!" 

A disunion paper, The NasJiville Gazette, in urging the people to vote an open ticket, 
declared that "a thief takes a pocket-book or effects an entrance into forbidden places by 
stealthy means; a Tory, in voting, usually adopts pretty much the same mode of pro- 
cedure." Disunionists in many places had charge of the polls, and Union men when vot- 
ing were denounced as Lincolnites and abolitionists. The unanimity of the votes in many 
large counties where but a few weeks ago the Union sentiment was so strong, proves be- 
yond a doubt that Union men were overawed by the tyranny of the military law, and the 
still greater tyranny of a corrupt and subsidized press. Volunteers were allowed to vote 
in and out of the State in flagrant violation of the constitution. From the moment the 
election was over, and before any detailed statement of the vote in the different counties 
had been published, and before it was possible to ascertain the result, it was exultingly 
proclaimed that separation had been carried by from fifty to seventy-five thousand votes. 
This was to prepare the public mind to enable the secessionists to hold possession of the 
State, though they should be in the minority. The final result is to be announced by a 
disunion governor, whose existence depends upon the success of secession, and no provis- 
ion is made by law for an examination of the votes by disinterested persons, or even for 
contesting the election. For these and other causes we do not regard the resul t of the 
election expressive of the will of the majority of the people of Tennessee. 

, No effort has been spared to deter the Union men of East Tennessee from the expres- 
sion of their free thoughts. The penalties of treason have been threatened against them, 



482 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and murder and assassination have been openly encoura,i?ed by leading secession journals. 
As secession has thus been overbearing and intolerant while in the minority in East Ten- 
nessee, nothing better can be expected of the pretended majority than wild, unconstitu- 
tional and oppressive legislation, an utter contempt and disregard of law, a determination 
to force every Union man in the State to swear to the support of a constitution he abhors, 
to yield his money and property to aid a cause he detests, and to become the object of 
scorn and derision as well as the victim of intolerable and relentless oppression. 

In view of these considerations, and of the fact that the people of East Tennessee 
have declared their fidelity to the Union by a majority of about 20,000 votes, therefore 
we do resolve and declare 

First. That we do earnestly desire the restoration of peace to our whole country, and 
most especially that our own section of the State of Tennessee should not be involved in 
civil war. 

Second. That the action of our State Legislature in passing the so-called "Declaration 
of Independence," and in forming the "Military League" with the Confederate States, 
and in adopting other acts looking to a separation of the State of Tennessee from the 
Government of the United States, is unconstitutional and illegal, and, therefore, not bind- 
ing upon us as loyal citizens. 

Third. That in order to avert a conflict with our bi-ethren in other parts of the State, 
and desiring that every constitutional means shall be resorted to for the preservation of 
peace, we do, therefore, constitute and appoint 0. P. Temple, of Knox; John Netherland, 
of Hawkins, and James P. McDowell, of Greene, commissioners, whose duty it shall be to 
prepare a memorial and cause the same to be presented to the General Assembly of Ten- 
nessee, now in session, asking its consent that the counties composing East Tennessee 
and such counties in Middle Tennessee as desire to coperate with them, may form and 
erect a separate State. 

Fourth. Desiring in good faith that the General Assembly will grant this our reason- 
able request, and still claiming the right to determine our own destiny, we do further re- 
solve .that an election be held in all the counties of East Tennessee, and such other coun- 
ties in Middle Tennessee adjacent thereto as may desire to co-operate with us, for the 
choice of delegates to represent them in a general convention to be held in the town of 
Kingston, at such time as the president of this convention, or in case of his absence or in- 
ability, any one of the vice-presidents, or in like case with them the secretary of this con- 
vention may designate, and the officer so designating the day for the assembling of said 
convention shall also fix the time for holding the election herein provided for, and give 
reasonable notice thereof. 

Fifth. In order to carry out the foregoing resolution the sheriffs of the different 
counties are hereby requested to open and hold said election or cause the same to be done, 
the coroner of such county is requested to do so, and should such coroner fail or refuse, 
then any constable of such county is hereby authorized to open and hold said election or 
cause the same to be done, and if in any county none of the above named officers will 
hold said clectitm, then any justice of the peace or freeholder in sucli county is author- 
ized to hold the same or cause it to be done. The officer or other person holding said 
election shall certify the result to the president of this convention or to such officer as 
may have directed the same to be holden, at as early a day thereafter as practicable, and 
the officer to whom said returns may be made shall open and compare the polls, and issue 
certificates to the delegates elected. 

Sixth. That in said convention, the several counties shall be represented as follows: 
The county of Knox shall elect three delegates; the counties of Washington, Greene and 
Jefferson two delegates each, and the remaining counties .shall each elect one delegate. 

Twenty thousand copies of the proceedings of this convention, to- 
gether with tlie proceedings of the session at Knoxville, were ordered 
to be published in pamphlet form for general distribution. The excite- 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 483 

ment in East Tennessee soon became intense. The proceedings of this 
convention, together with speeches denunciatory of the new government, 
fanned the ah-eady glowing fires of insurrection among the Unionists. 
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, a paper which had a very large circulation 
in this part of tne State, did much to arouse the people. Every number 
contained articles filled with the bitterest invective against the "bogus 
Confederacy." Landon C. Haynes, a Confederate leader, in writing to 
L. P. Walker, Confederate Secretary of War, concerning the condition 
of affairs in East Tennessee, on July 6, 1861, said: "Thomas A. R. 
Nelson, William G. Brownlow, Connolly F. Trigg and William B. Carter 
are the leaders. Moral power cannot -longer be relied on to crush the 
rebellion. No man possesses that power. Bell had more than any 
other man, but he is as helpless as a child." Three days later Secretary 
Walker requested Gov. Harris to send immediately two regiments to East 
Tennessee, which was accordingly done, and on July 26, "Gen. ZoUi- 
coffer was ordered to assume command of that district, to preserve peace, 
protect the railroad and repel invasion." On August 26 he issued Gen- 
eral Order No. 11, in which he states: "The following are the names of 
the Lincoln leaders in Johnson County : Lewis Veuable, of Laurel Creek ; 
Northington, hotel-keeper at Taylorsville ; K. R. Butler, of Taylorsville, 
representative of the county; John G. Johnson and J. W. Merrick, cap- 
tains of Lincoln companies. Joseph P. Edoms, of Elizabethton, Carter 
County, and A. Evans, of Washington County, are also among the ring- 
leaders of them." On July 10, 1861, Judge Nelson issued a proclama- 
tion for an election to be held on the 31st of August, to choose delegates 
■as provided in the resolutions of the Greene ville Convention. Owing to 
succeeding events, however, this election did not take place. At the 
election held the first week in August, Horace Maynard, Thomas A. R. 
Nelson and G. W. Bridges were elected representatives to the United 
States Congress by the Unionists, who refused to vote for representatives 
to the Confederate Congress. A day or two later Judge Nelson started 
for Washington, by the way of Cumberland Gap, but was arrested in Lee 
County, Va., and taken to Richmond. He was soon after paroled and 
returned to his home. At about the same time Bridges was arrested in 
Morgan County, and was also released upon taking the oath of allegiance 
to the Confederacy. 

During the summer and early fall Union men were quietly organiz- 
ing and drilling. In most places this was done secretly, but in some 
localities the Union sentiment was so unanimous that there was no need 
of concealment. Singly and in squads they began crossing the moun- 
tains into Kentucky, where they were organized into companies and regi- 



484 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

ments. Those who remaine'd behind were constantly urging and expect- 
ing an advance upon East Tennessee by the Federal troops, and they 
held themselves in readiness for a general uprising when that should 
take place. John F. Fisk, in writing to R. Buckner, on September 22, 
1861, says: "The mountaineers will whip Zollicoffer as soon as they 
get ammunition. By all means send them lead, lead, lead! " "William 
B. Carter wrote to Gen. Thomas on October 27 and earnestly called 
for an advance upon East Tennessee, In speaking of Zollicoffer' s forces 
he said: "Zollicoffer has 6,000 men all told; 1,000 of them are sick, 
600 or 800 are not arrived; 1,600 of the 6,000 are at Cumberland Gap, 
the balance beyond the Gap." This force proved to be too small to sup- 
press the constantly growing power of the Unionists and the leading 
Confederates in East Tennessee began to call for re-enforcements. Gen. 
A. S. Johnston, on November 4, 1861, sent a despatch to Secretary Ben- 
jamin, in which he said: '" Herewith I transmit for your information a 
letter from Gov. Harris, inclosing one from Mr, C. Wallace, imparting 
information in regard to the political sentiments of the people of East 
Tennessee, which he represents as extremely hostile to the Confederate 
Government, and that there is among them a large and well-armed force 
ready to act at an opportune moment. I have already ordered Stanton's 
and Murray's regiments and some cavalry companies from their stations 
in Fentress, Overton and Jackson Counties to Jamestown to join some 
cavalry companies at that place, thence to report and await the orders of 
Gen. Zollicoffer, who has been notified." The letter referred to above was 
written at Knoxville, October 29, and is as follows: 

Dear Governor: I don't like to meddle in things that are in keeping of men so much 
more vigilant and wise than I, but I am constrained by the circumstances about mo to be- 
lieve that Zollicoffer and the railroads of East Tennessee are in a dangerous condition at 
present. I am well aware that the views of the "original panel" in East Tennessee are not 
much heeded abroad, but I am well satisfied that there is to-day a larger Lincoln force, 
well armed in East Tennessee, than Zollicoffer has of Southern men under his command-, 
* * There is no giving way in the hostile feeling in East Tennessee. This you may 
rely on, and time will convince you. Truly your friend, 

C. Wallace. 

On November 1 Col. W. B. Wood, commanding the post at Knox- 
ville, wrote to Secretary Benjamin: " There can be no doubt of the fact 
that large parties, numbering from twenty to a hundred, are every day 
passing through the narrow and unfrequented gaps of the mountains into 
Kentucky. I do not believe that the Unionists are in the least recon- 
ciled to the Government, but, on the contrary, are as hostile to it as the 
people of Ohio, and will be ready to take up arms as soon as they be- 
lieve the Lincoln forces are near enough to sustain them," These 
opinions proved to be well founded, and on the night of the 8th of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 485 

November the excitement cnlminated in the burning of three or four 
raih'oad bridges on the road between Bristol and Chattanooga. This 
created great alarm, and more vigorous measures were adopted to subdue 
the Unionists, and crush out the insurrection against the Confederate 
Government. Many arrests were made, not only upon charges of com- 
plicity in the bridge burning, but for encouraging the Unionist move- 
ment. 

Col. D. Leadbetter was immediately ordered to East Tennessee with 
an engineer corps to repair and protect the railroads. Letters and 
despatches from all points in East Tennessee were poured in upon the 
Confederate authorities, all telling of the imminent danger from a gen- 
eral uprising of the Unionists. Maj. T. J. Cannon, stationed at Loudon, 
wrote: "The LTnion feeling of this country is very bitter, and all they 
want, in my opinion, to induce a general uprising, is encouragement from 
the Federal authorities by the introduction or'advance of Lincoln armies. 
They have a great many arms, and are actually manufacturing Union 
flags to receive the refugee Tennesseeans when they return. They are 
getting bold enough to avow their purpose." Col. Wood wrote from 
Knoxville to Adjt.-Gen. Cooper: "Five hundred Union men are now 
threatening Strawberry Plains, fifteen hundred are assembling in Ham- 
ilton County, and there is a general uprising in all the counties. The 
whole country is now in a state of rebellion. I learn from two gentle- 
men just arrived that another camp is being formed about ten miles 
from here, in Sevier County, and already three hundred are in camp. 
They are being re-enforced fi*om Blount, Eoane, Johnson, Greene, Carter 
and other counties." The writer of the letter of which the following is 
an extract, advised the removal of the Union sympathizers from East 
Tennessee: 

JoNESBORO, Tenn., November 12, 1861. 
His Excellency Jefferson Davis: 

Sir: Civil war has broken out at length in East Tennessee. In the late election 
scarcely a so-called Union man voted. Neither Mr. Nelson nor any of the released men 
who had been sworn to be faithful to the Southern Confederacy voted upon the occasion, 
and there appeared a simultaneous assault upon our line of railroads from Virginia to the 
Georgia line. In this county the secession strength is about equal to the Union force, but 
our force is much weakened by five volunteer companies now in the service. In Carter and 
Johnson Counties, northeast of this, the Union strength is not only as formidable but it is 
as violent as that of any of the northwestern counties of Virginia. Had they the power 
not a sessionist would live in this region. The hostile element in those counties, and also 
in Greene, is so strong that I give it as my firm conviction that it will neither abate nor 
be conciliated. They look for the re-establishment of the Federal authority with as much 
confidence as the Jews look for the coming of Messiah, and I feel quite sure when I assert 
it that no event or circumstance can change or modify their hope. * * We will 
crush out the rebellion here in a week or ten days, but to prevent its recurrence should be a 
matter of anxious consideration. * * There are now camped in and about Elizabeth- 



486 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ton, iu Carter County, some twelve or fifteen hundred men armed with a motley assort- 
mentof guns, in open defiance of the Confederate States of America, and who are awaiting 
a movement of the Federal troops from Kentucky to march forward and take possession of 
the railroad. These men are gathered up from three or five counties in this region, and com- 
prise the hostile Union element of this section, and never will be appeased, conciliated or 
quieted in a Southern Confederacy. I make this assertion positively, and you may take it 
for what it is worth. We can and will in a few days disperse them, but when will they 
break out again? I am satisfied the only hope for our quiet and repose, and our co-opera- 
tion without hindrance in the present revolution, is the expatriation, voluntarily or by 
force, of this hostile element. 

I am respectfully your obedient servant, 

A. G. Graham. 

Gov. Harris telegraphed President Davis that lie should send immedi- 
ately about 10,000 men into East Tennessee. November 20, 1861, Col. 
Wood wrote to Secretary Benjamin: "The rebellion in East Tennessee 
has been put down in some of the counties, and will be effectually sup- 
pressed in less than two weeks in all the counties. The camps in Sevier 
and Hamilton Counties have been broken and a large number of them 
made prisoners. Some are confined in jail at this place and others sent 
to Nashville. In a former communication I inquired what I shall do 
with them. It is a mere farce to arrest them and turn them oyer to the 
courts. Instead of having the effect to intimidate, it really emboldens 
them in their traitorous conduct. We have now in custody some of their 
leaders, Judge Patterson, the son-in-law of Andrew Johnson, Col. Pick- 
ens, the senator from Sevier, and others of influence and some distinc- 
tion in their counties. These men have encouraged this rebellion, but 
have so managed as not to be found in arms. Nevertheless, their actions 
and words have been unfriendly to the Government of the Confederate 
States. The influence of their wealth, position and connection has been 
exerted in favor of the Lincoln government, and they are the persons 
most to blame for the trouble in East Tennessee. They really deserve 
the gallows, and, if consistent with the laws, ought speedily to receive 
their deserts ; but there is such a gentle spirit of reconcilation in the 
South, and especially here, that I have no idea that one of them will re- 
ceive such a sentence at the hands of any jury impaneled to try them. 
* * I have to request at least that the prisoners I have taken be 
held, if not as traitors, as prisoners of war. To release them is ruinous ; 
to convict them before a court at this time next to an impossibility ; but 
if they are kept in prison for six months it will have a good effect. The 
bridge-burners and spies ought to be tried at once, and I respectfully re- 
quest that instruction be forwarded at as early a day as practicable, as it 
needs prompt action to dispose of the cases." The following reply was 
received: 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 487 

War Department, Richmond, November 25, 1861. 
Colonel W. B. Wood: 

Sir: Your report of the 20th instant is received, and I now proceed to give you the 
desired instruction in relation to the prisoners of war taken by you among the traitors of 
East Tennessee. 

First. All such as can be identified in having been engaged in bridge-burning are to 
be tried summarily by drum-head court-martial, and, if found guilty, executed on the spot 
5)y hanging in the vicinity of the burned bridges. 

Second. All such as have not been so engaged are to be treated as prisoners of war, 
and sent with an armed guard to. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, there to be kept imprisoned at 
the depot selected by the Government for prisoners of war. 

Whenever you can discover that arms are concentrated by these traitors, you will send 
out detatchments to search for and seize the arms. In no case is one of the men known to 
have been up in arms against the Government to be released on any pledge or oath of alle- 
giance. The time for such measures is past. They are all to be held as prisoners of war. 
Such as come in voluntarily, take the oath of allegiance and surrender their arms, are 
alone to be treated with lenienpy. Very vigilant execution of these orders is earnestly 
urged by the Government. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. P. Benjamin, 

Secretary of War. 

P. S. Judge Patterson (Andy Johnson's son-in-law), Colonel Pickens and other ring- 
leaders of the same class, must be sent at once to Tuscaloosa to jail as prisoners of war. 

At this time John son, Maynard, Etheridge, Meigs, and most other 
Union leaders throughout Tennessee had left the State. William G. 
Brownlow, whose newspaper had been suppressed about the 1st of No- 
vember, had sought personal safety by retiring to the mountains. On 
December 4, he received notice from the commander of the department, 
that should he return and deliver himself up, he would be given a pass- 
port to go into Kentucky accompanied by a military escort. He accord- 
ingly returned, but was immediately arrested and placed in jail upon the 
charge of treason. He was kept in confinement at the jail until January 
1, 18G2, when he became sick, and afterward at his home under guard until 
March 3, when he was sent with a military escort to Nashville. On No- 
vember 30, 1862, three men : Henry Frey, Jacob M. Henshaw and Hugh 
A. Self, were tried at Greeneville by drum-head court-martial, for bridge 
burning, and sentenced to be hung. The sentence with respect to the 
first two, was executed on the same day ; that of Self was commuted to 
imprisonment. On the same day Col. Leadbetter issued the following 
conciliatory proclamation : 

Greeneville, East Tenn., November 30, 1861. 
To THE Citizens of East Tennessee: 

So long as the question of Union or Disunion was debatable, so long you did well 
to debate it and vote on it. You had a clear right to vote for Union, but when seces- 
sion was established by the voice of the people, you did ill to disturb the country by 
angry words and insurrectionary tumult. In doing this you commit the highest crime 
known to the laws. Out of the Southern Confederacy no people possesses such elements 
of prosperity and happiness as those of Tennessee. The Southern market which you have 
hitherto enjoyed, only in competition with a host of eager Northern rivals, will now be 



488 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

shared with a few States of the Confederacy equally fortunate politically and geographi- 
cally. Every product of your agriculture and workshops will now find a prompt sale at 
hi'1-h prices, and so long as cotton grows on Confederate soil, so long will the money which 
it brings flow from the South through all your channels of trade. At this moment you 
might be at war with the United States, or any foreign nation, and yet not suffer one- 
tenth part of the evil which pursues you in this domestic strife. No man's life or property 
is safe; no woman or child can sleep in quiet. You are deluded by selfish demagogues, 
who care for their own personal safety. You are citizens of Tennessee, and your State 
one of the Confederate States. So long as you are up in arms against these States can 
vou look for any thing but the invasion of your homes and the wasting of your substance? 
This condition of things must be ended. The Government demands peace and sends 
troops to enforce order. I proclaim that any man who comes in promptly, and gives up 
his arms will be pardoned on taking the oath of allegiance. All men taken in arms 
against the Government will be transported to the military prison at Tuscaloosa, and be 
confined there during the war. Bridge burners and destroyers of railroad tracks are ex- 
cepted from among the pardonable. Tliey will be tried by drum-head court-martial and 
hung on the spot. j) Leadbetter, 

Colonel Commanding. 

Col. Leadbetter evidently did not understand the steadfast loyalty of 
the Unionists of East Tennessee, or he would have saved himself the 
trouble of issuing this proclamation. Very few took advantage of the 
proffered clemency. Meanwhile Brig. -Gen. W. H. Carroll had been 
placed in command at Knoxville, and on December 11, he issued a proc- 
lamation declaring martial law, and suspending the writ of habeas 
corpus. On the same day C. A. Haun, who had been confined in the 
jail at that place, was hanged on the charge of bridge burning. About a 
week later Jacob Harmon and his son, Henry Harmon, were hanged on a 
similar charge. These vigorous measures had the effect of driving many 
of the Unionists to Kentucky, and of silencing the most of the remainder 
for the time being. 

In December, 1861, Gen. George B. Crittenden was assigned to the 
command of the Confederate forces in a portion of East Tennessee, and 
southeastern Kentucky, which included tlie troops then at Mill Springs 
under Gen. Zollicoffer, who had been stationed at that point to prevent 
Gen. Schoepf from penetrating Tennessee. The latter was stationed at 
Somerset on Fishing Creek, a small tributary of the Cumberland. Jan- 
uary 18, 18C3, Gen. Thomas, with the remainder of his forces came up, 
and in the battle which ensued on the following day Gen. Zollicoffer was 
killed, and his force driven back in great confusion. In this action the 
First and Second Union Eegiments of Tennessee Infantry, under Gen. 
S. P. Carter, took a conspicuous part, fighting with great spirit against, 
among others, several Tennessee regiments on the Confederate side. 

By the death of Gen. Zollicoffer the forces in East Tennessee lost 
a valuable officer, and on February 25, 1862, Gen. E. Kirby Smith 
was assigned to the command of the troops in that district. He arrived 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 489 

at Knoxville on March 0, and on the following day reported to the War 
Department that the troops then in East Tennessee numbered less than 
8,000 effective men, 4,000 of whom were at Cumberland Gap, 2,000 at 
Knoxville, and the remainder distributed over neighboring counties. 
In a report a few days later he refers to the capture, without the fire of 
a gun, of a large number of two companies of the First East Tennessee 
Confederate Cavalry, near Jacksboro, and states that, in his opinion, 
"East Tennessee troops can not be trusted, and should be removed to some 
other field." On March 28, 1862, an expedition was sent into Morgan 
and Scott Counties to chastise the Unionists, who had been gathering 
there in considerable force. A skirmish took place near Montgomery, 
lasting about thirty minutes, in which the Unionists were dispersed with 
a loss of fifteen killed and a large number of wounded. During the 
latter part of the same month. Gen. George AV. Morgan was assigned to 
the command of an expedition against Cumberland Gap. His force con- 
sisted of four brigades, under the command of Gens. Carter, Spears, 
and Baird, and Col. DeCourcy. Carter's brigade consisted of the First, 
Second and Fourth (Union) Tennessee,* Third and Nineteenth Kentucky, 
and the Forty-ninth Indiana, all infantry. Spear's brigade consisted of 
the Third, Fifth, and Sixth (Union) Tennessee Infantry. The two other 
brigades contained no Tennessee regiments. After considerable pre- 
liminary skirmishing a general advance was made about the 10th of 
June, and on the 18th the post was evacuated by the Confederates with- 
out firing a gun. Gen. Morgan remained at Cumberland Gap until 
the 17th of the September following, when he was forced to retreat 
or be cut off from his line of supplies, as Gen. Stevenson with a force 
estimated at 20,000 had taken position in front of the Gap, and Gen. 
Smith with a still larger force was at Barboursville, Ky. After an 
arduous march of several days he reached the Ohio Eiver at Wheelers- 
burg. In his report of the evacuation and retreat Gen. Morgan compli- 
mented the gallantry of the Sixth Tennessee. He says: " We resumed 
the march from Manchester, Ky., on the 21st. The enemy's cavalry ap- 
peared on our rear and endeavored to cut off one of our trains, but was 
gallantly repulsed by the Sixth Tennessee under Col. Cooper, who had 
before rendered good service in attacking the enemy's force near Big 
Creek Gap." 

Several of the regiments had been poorly equipped, especially the 
Second and Fourth Cavalry, both of which regiments had been organized 
at Cumberland Gap. Consequently, several weeks were spent in equip- 
ping and refitting, and in recovering from the demoralization incident 

*Col. Robert Johnson afterward re-enlisted, and the Fourth was organized as First Tennessee Cavalry. 



490 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

to SO long and difficult a retreat. As soon as this liad been accomplished, 
they were ordered to report to Rosecrans at Nashville. The battle of 
Stone's River was fought almost immediately after their arrival at that 
place, and was participated in by Gen. Spear's brigade, including the 
Third, Fifth, and Sixth Tennessee Infantry, and a portion of the Third 
Cavalry, then not fully organized; also by Carter's brigade, including 
the First and Second Tennessee Infantry. The Second and Fifth Ten- 
nessee Cavalry were also actively engaged, with the exception of the 
First and Fourth Regiments of cavalry, which did not arrive until after 
the battle; these included all the Tennessee regiments which had then 
been mustered into service. 

But to trace the movements and record the achievements of Tennessee 
troops in all the numerous campaigns, raids and battles in which they 
participated would require a volume ; therefore only a few of the most 
important, and especially those of East Tennessee, will be noted. The 
troops of no other State were more active, untiring and intrepid. Their 
service was chiefly performed within their own State and the territory 
immediately surrounding it. As this was disputed ground from first to 
last "eternal vigilance" was required of the troops within its borders, and 
it seems to have fallen to the lot of the Tennessee regiments to do more 
than their share of the arduous work of scouting, raiding and skirmishing. 
Indeed the mounted infantry regiments, all of which were organized dur- 
ing the last eighteen months of the war, saw no other kind of service. 

The campaign for the deliverance of East Tennessee was entered upon 
in August, 1863, simultaneously with the advance of Rosecrans upon 
Chattanooga. Gen. Burnside's army, numbering about 18,000 men, 
consisted of the Twenty-third and Ninth Army Corps, together with new 
troops raised in Kentucky. The Tennessee troops Avere attached to the 
Twenty-third Corps, and included the First, Second and Eighth Regi- 
ments of Infantry, the Ninth Cavalry, and the Eighth and Tenth East 
Tennessee Cavalry, afterward consolidated and known as the Eighth 
Tennessee Cavalry. 

By the use of pack mules Gen. Burnside succeeded in pushing his 
army across the mountains west of Cumberland Gap, and after a tedious 
and difficult march approached Knoxville. The first regiment, the 
Sixty-fifth Indiana, entered the town on the 3d of September. The small 
Confederate force which had previously occupied the post had been quietly 
evacuating it for several days, moving supplies and railroad equipments to 
the South. About three days later Gen. Burnside with the main part of 
the army arrived, and soon after detachments were stationed at various 
places along the railroad. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 491 

Col. DeCourcy with his brigade had ah-eady been ordered to Cum- 
berland Gap, which place he reached on September 8, and on the follow- 
ing day received its surrender. 

About the 1st of October a considerable force of Confederates from 
Virginia entered upper East Tennessee and threatened the left wing of 
Burnside's army. Nothing was done by the latter, however, until Oc- 
tober 10, when an advance in force was made. The enemy were encoun- 
tered at the village of Blue Springs, and after a spirited skirmish were 
driven back. During the succeeding night they retreated, and the next 
day were pursued by Gen. Shackleford and driven back into Virginia. 

On the 22d of October Gen. Burnside began concentrating his force at 
Loudon to meet Longstreet, who with a force of 20,000 men was 
approaching from Chattanooga. Sis days later the Union troops were 
withdrawn from the south side of the river at Loudon, and the next 
morning marched to Lenoirs, where they went into camp. There they 
remained until the morning of November 14, when the entire force was 
ordered under arms, as Longstreet was at last coming, and had thrown 
his advance across the Tennessee six miles west of Loudon. No fighting, 
however, was done, except by the cavalry, until two days later. Mean- 
while Burnside had fallen back to Campbell's Station, closely followed by 
Longstreefs infantry, who were hastening up to cut his line of retreat. 
Here he resolved to make a stand in order to protect his wagon trains, 
which were straggling in toward Knoxville. A battle ensued which 
lasted nearly all day, and which has been rated as the decisive battle of 
the campaign. Longstreefs veterans made two furious assaults, but were 
repulsed each time by Burnside's infantry and artillery. About 5 o'clock 
the former withdrew, and as soon as it was dark the Union Army resumed 
its retreat to Knoxville unmolested. Capt. O. M. Poe, chief engineer of 
the Army of the Ohio, had already selected the lines of defense, and th& 
next day the work of fortification was carried forward with the utmost 
rapidity not only by the troops, but by citizens impressed into service, so 
that by the morning of the 18th the city was strongly fortified. 

Had Longstreet pushed on his forces to Knoxville during the night 
of November 17, and been ready to make an attack the next morning, 
while the retreating troops were demoralized, and the town without the* 
protection of a single rifle pit, he could have captured the entire force 
without so much as a skirmish. During the next day his advance was 
considerably impeded by the Federal cavalry under Gen. William P. 
Sanders, who was unfortunately killed on the evening of the same day 
just outside of the earthworks, afterward named Fort Sanders in honor 
of his memory. Longstreet immediately invested the town, but made 



492 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

no attack until Sunday, November 29, eleven days after the beginning 
of the siege. He had evidently intended to starve Burnside into a sur- 
render, but learning that Sherman was coming from Chattanooga, decid- 
ed to make an assault. His delay had given the besieged time to 
strengthen their defenses, and proved fatal to his hopes of success. 

At daylight on the 29th the famous "Barksdale Brigade," composed 
of Mississippi troops, made an attack upon Fort Sanders, then under 
command of Gen. Ferrero, but was repulsed with a loss of about 1,100 killed 
and 300 taken prisoners, while the Union loss was only 8 killed, 5 
wounded and 30 prisoners. Fort Sanders, on the southwest part of 
town, was the strongest point in the fortifications. A deep ditch had 
been dug all around it, and in front of this trees had been cut down, 
and telegraph wires stretched from stump to stump about eight inches 
from the ground, in order to trip the men and break the lines.* These 
served their intended purpose, but the charge was made by veterans, and 
they pushed on, filled the ditch, climbed uj) the parapet and planted 
three Confederate flags on the top. The fort would then, undoubtedly, 
have been taken had it not been for the action of Lieut. Benjamin, 
commander of the battery. The guns could not reach those in the ditch, 
and he, taking the shells in his hand, cut the fuse, and lighting them 
with his cigar threw them over the parapet, when they exploded, doing 
terrible execution, f 

The assault was not renewed, and on the following Friday, December 
4, the last of Longstreet's troops withdrew from in front of the city. 
The next day Sherman sent a despatch to Burnside from Maryville, say- 
ino- that he was at that point with 25,000 men, and would leave them 
there unless needed at Knoxville. In a short time he returned with his 
forces to Chattanooga, leaving the Fourth Army Corps under Gen. Gran- 
ger to re-enforce the garrison at Knoxville. 

Gen. Longstreet retreated slowly up the north bank of the Holston 
Eiver, followed by the Ninth and Twenty-third Corps, under Gen. Parke, 
and about 4,000 cavalry. As soon as the former had learned that Sher- 
man had returned to Chattanooga with the main part of his command, 
he turned upon his pursuers, then at Bean's Station, and administered 
to them a decided defeat. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, 
however, and the bad condition of both armies, active operations were soon 
after suspencjed. Longstreet went into winter quarters at Morristown 
and Kussellville, and Gen. Foster, who had succeeded Gen. Burnside in 

*Thisplan was suggested to the engineer by Mr. J.B. Hoxie, of Knoxville, who had been master mechanic 
on the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad. Upon the occupation of Knoxville Burnside made him a mem- 
ber of his statf, and placed him in charge of transportation, in which position he rendered valuable assistance. 

t History of the Twenty-first Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 493 

command of the Army of the Ohio, withdrew the greater part of his 
forces to Knoxville. 

When Burnside retreated to Knoxville a portion of his command was 
stationed in detachments at various points above that city and were con- 
sequently shut out during the siege. Among these detachments were 
several Tennessee regiments. The Tennessee troops that participated in 
ihe defense of Knoxville were the Eighth Infantry and the Eighth 
and Ninth Cavalry, and others. 

During the June previous to the siege Gen. Sanders, with about 
2,000 men, including the First Tennessee Infantry, made a successful 
raid into East Tennessee from Kentucky. He reached Knoxville on the 
evening of June 20, 1863. The next day he planted a battery on the 
north side of the town and began an artillery duel with the Confederates 
on the opposite ridge, during which only one person was injured. 
Pleasant M. McClung was shot, it is said, by the last gun fired by San- 
ders' men. Gen. Buckner, in command of the post, was absent with his 
life guard, leaving only Kain's artillery and parts of two Florida regi- 
ments to defend it. Had Gen. Sanders made an immediate assault he 
could probably have captured the town. During the day, however, a 
Virginia regiment arrived and Sanders retreated to Strawberry Plains 
and Mossy Creek and thence back into Kentucky. 

February 9, 1864, Gen. J. M. Schofield superseded Gen. Foster in 
command of the Army of the Ohio. No movement of importance was 
made until April, when. Gen. Longstreet having gone to rejoin Lee in 
Virginia, preparations were made for the Georgia campaign. The 
Ninth Corps having been returned to the Army of the Potomac, Gen. 
Schofield was assigned to the command of the Twenty-third Corps, and 
O. O. Howard succeeded Gen. Granger in command of the Fourth Corps. 
About the last of April, 1864, after tearing up the railroad for a consid- 
erable distance above Bull's Gap, the entire force, with the exception of 
small garrisons at Knoxville and Loudon, moved to join Sherman. The 
Tennessee Infantry, which participated in this campaign, formed a part 
of the Twenty-third Corps, and included the Third and Sixth Regiments, 
Cooper's brigade; Fifth Regiment, Manson's brigade, and the First and 

Eighth Regiments, brigade. The history of the Georgia 

campaign and the part performed by the Twenty-third Corps is too well 
known to require mention here. October 31, 1864, Gen. Schofield, who 
was at Resaca with the Twenty-third Corps, was ordered by Gen. Thomas 
to Pulaski. He arrived at Nashville November 5, and was immediately 
sent to Johnsonville. Finding that the enemy had already retreated he 
left a force for the defense of that part and moved to join the Fourth 



594 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

furious engagement, where the right wing of Rosecranz was routed from 
the field. It moved back to Tullahama, and was here consolidated with 
the Twenty-eighth Regiment. ( See sketch of the twenty-eighth. ) 

The One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regi- 
ment was organized at Memphis in 1860, before the war broke out, and 
was reorganized soon after the fall of Sumter with Preston Smith, colonel. 
Seven comj)anies were raised in Memphis, one in Henry County, one 
in McNairy County, and one in Hardeman County. It first marched to 
Randolph in May, 18G1, and after various movements marched north and 
participated in the battle of Belmont, and afterward moved south into 
Kentucky, and after the surrender of Fort Donelson to northern Missis- 
sippi, and in April fought at bloody Shiloh with severe loss. It was 
then at Corinth until the evacuation, then marched north with Bragg on 
the Kentucky campaign, fighting at Richmond, Ky., with great loss, and 
at Perryville, October 8. It marched south with the army, reaching 
Murfreesboro where, December 31, it was hotly engaged, losing over a 
third of those engaged. It retreated to Chattanooga, thence to Chick- 
amauga, where it fought in that great battle in September, and later at 
Missionary Ridge. It wintered at Dal ton, and in 18G1, in the Georgia 
campaign, fought in all the principal battles down to Atlanta, losing in 
the aggregate many valuable men. It marched north with Hood and 
invaded Tennessee, fighting at Franklin, Nashville and elsewhere, and re- 
treating south out of the State. It marched to the Carolinas, partici- 
pated in the action at Bentonville, and surrendered in April, 1865. 

In addition to the above organizations there were about twenty cav- 
alry regiments whose movements it has been almost impossible to trace. 
About eighteen battalions of cavalry were in the Confederate service 
from Tennessee. Many of the battalionSj which had first served as such 
and perhaps independently, were consolidated to form regiments. Aside 
from this there were numerous independent cavalry companies or squads 
organized in almost every county of the State to assist the Confederate 
cause. The leading cavalry organizations of the State served mainly 
with the commands of Gens. Wheeler, Wharton and Forrest. 

The artillery organizations of the State were so often changed, and 
have left such obscure records, that no attempt will be made here to trace 
their movements. They were in nearly all the artillery duels of the Mis- 
sissippi department. The following is an imperfect list of the Tennes- 
see batteries: Colms' Battery, Capt. S. H. Colms; Appeal Battery, Capt. 
W. N. Hogg; Bankhead's Battery, Capt. S. P. Bankhead; Barry's Bat- 
tery, Capt. R. L. Barry; Belmont Battery, Capt. J. G. Anglade; Brown's 
Battery, Capt. W. R. Marshall; Burrough's Battery, Capt. W. H. Bur- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 595 

roughs; Games' Battery, Capt. W. W. Carnes; Scott's Battery, Capt. W. 
L. Scott; Miller's Battery, Capt. William Miller; Kice's Battery, Capt. T. 
W. Rice; Kain's Battery, Capt. W. C. Kain; Anglade's Battery, Capt. J. 
G. Auglade; Mebane's Battery, Capt. J. W. Mebane; Wright's Battery, 
Capt. E. E. AVright; Morton's Battery, Capt. J. W. Morton; Jackson's 
Battery, Capt. W. H. Jackson; Freeman's Battery, Capt. S. L. Freeman; 
Hoxton's Battery, Capt. Lewis Hoxton; McAdoo's Battery, Capt. J. M. 
McAdoo; Huwald's Battery, Capt. G. A. Huwald; Krone's Battery, Capt. 
F. Krone; Taylor's Battery, Capt. J. W. Taylor; Dismnkes' Battery, 
Capt. P. T. Dismukes; Griffith's Battery, Capt. K P. Griffith; Maney's 
Battery, Capt. F. Maney; Calvert's Battery, Capt. J. H. Calvert; El- 
dridge's Battery, Capt. J. W. Eldridge; McClung's Battery, Capt. H. L. 
McClung; Tobin's Battery, Capt. Thomas Tobin; Stankienry's Battery, 
Capt. P. K. Stankienry; Bibb's Battery, Capt. R. W. Bibb; Wilson's 
Battery, Capt. W. O. Williams; Fisher's Battery, Capt. J. A. Fisher; 
McDonald's Battery, Capt. C. McDonald; Ramsey's Battery, Capt. D. B. 
Ramsey; Keys' Battery, Capt. T. J. Keys; Porter's Battery, Capt. T. K. 
Porter; Baxter's Battery, Capt. E. Baxter; Humes' Battery, Capt. W. T 
Humes; Jackson's Battery, W. H. Jackson; Lynch's Battery, Capt. J. 
P. Lynch, and others. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY CORPS AT BOWLING GREEN, KY., OCTOBER 28 
1861, GEN. A. S. JOHNSTON, COMMANDING.* 

First Division, Maj.-Gen. W. J. Hardee. Infantry: First Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. Hindman — Second Arkansas Regiment, Lieut. -Col. Bocage; 
Second Arkansas Regiment, Col. A. T. Hawthorn; Arkansas Battalion, 
Lieut. -Col. Marmaduke. Second Brigade, Col. P. R. Cleburne — First 
Arkansas Regiment, Col. Cleburne; Fifth Arkansas Regiment, Col. D. 
C. Cross; Seveiith Mississippi Regiment, Col. J. J. Thornton; Tennes- 
see Mountain Rifles, Col. B. J. Hill. Third Brigade, Col. R. G. Shaver — 
Seventh Arkansas Regiment, Col. Shaver; Eighth Arkansas Regiment, 
Col. W. R. Patterson; Twenty-fourth Tennessee Regiment, Col. R. D. 
Allison; Ninth Arkansas Regiment, Lieut. -Col. S. J. Mason. Cavalry — 
Adams' Regiment and Phifer's Battalion. Artillery — Swett's, Trigg's, 
Hubbard's and Byrne's Batteries. 

Second Division, Brig. -Gen. S, B. Buckner. Infantry: First Bri- 
gade, Col. Hanson — Hanson's, Thompson's, Trabue's, Hunt's, Lewis' 
and Cofer's Kentucky regiments. Second Brigade, Col. Baldwin — Four- 
teenth Mississippi, Col. Baldwin; Twenty-sixth Tennessee Regiment, 
Col. Lillard. Third Brigade, Col, J. C. Brown — Third Tennessee Reg- 

*Taken from the oflScial report. 



496 HISTGKY OF TENNESSEE. 

McClung*'s battery captured with a loss to the enemy of about 300 killed, 
wounded and captured." 

From this time nothing but scout and guard duty was done until 
November 9, when the brigade assembled at Bull's Gap, where two days 
later it was confronted by the Confederates under Gen. Breckinridge, by 
whom, on the 12th, an unsuccessful assault was made. At nightfall on the 
following day the brigade withdrew from the Gap. After having pro- 
ceeded about ten miles an attack was made upon the rear, causing a 
stampede among the pack-mules and wagon-trains, and producing the 
greatest confusion. The artillery and several hundred men were captured, 
and the remainder of the force di-iven back to Strawberry Plains and 
thence to Knoxville. As soon as the report of Gillem's defeat reached 
Gen. Thomas he ordered Gen. Stoneman from Louisville, to take com- 
mand of the forces in East Tennessee. The latter immediately ordered 
Gen. Burbridge to march with all his available force in Kent'icky, by the 
way of the Cumberland Gap, to join Gillem. At the same time Gen. 
Ammon, who had been co-operating with Gen. Gillem, received a re-en- 
forcement of 1,500 men from Chattanooga, and at once occupied Straw- 
berry Plains. 

Having quickly concentrated the commands of Gens. Burbridge and 
Gilem at Bean's Station, on the 12th of December Gen. Stoneman started 
for Bristol, his advance under Gillem striking the enemy under Duke 
atKingsport, killing, capturing, or dispersing the whole command. The 
entire force then pushed on to Wytheville, meeting and completely rout- 
ing the enemy under Yaughn, at Marion, Ya. Having destroyed a large 
amount of supplies of all kinds at Wytheville, Gen. Stoneman turned his 
attention to Saltville and its important salt works, which were captured 
and destroyed.* The command then returned to Knoxville, where it 
arrived on December 29, having marched an average of forty-two miles 
every twenty-four hours since its departure. It remained in camp until 
March 21, when such portion as was mounted joined Gen. Stoneman 
upon his great raid. The vote for governor, at the election March 4, 18G5, 
indicates the relative strength of the regiments at that time. It was as 
follows: Eighth, 884; Ninth, 606; Thirteenth, 259; Battery E, 79. 

After the close of hostilities many Confederates who returned to their 
homes in East Tennessee suffered violence at the hands of Union men in 
retaliation for outrages committed at the beginning of the war. This 
soon ceased, however ; and at the present time there is no place perhaps 
in the United States where there is a more fraternal spirit existing be- 
tween the Unionist and the ex-Confederate than in East Tennessee. Ten- 

*Iii his report of the expedition, (Jen Stoneman gives the Thirteenth Teunessee Cavalry the honor oi 
having acted the most couspicuous part in the capture of Saltville. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 497 

nessee furnished about 30,000 troops to the Federal Army. They were 
mustered as follows: Eight regiments of infantry, eight regiments of 
mounted infantry, thirteen regiments of cavalry and five battalions of 
light artillery. But in addition to these regiments there were also en- 
listed, within the limits of the State, about 17,000 colored troops, the 
precise number of which cannot be ascertained, as they were enrolled as 
United States troops without regard to State boundaries. 

The State also contributed to the Federal Army a large number of 
efficient officers. In addition to those colonels and lieutenant-colonels 
who from time to time commanded brigades, Tennessee furnished the 
following brigadier-generals: Samuel P. Carter, Joseph A. Cooper, Al- 
van C. Gillem, James G. Spears, William B. Campbell and Andrew 
Johnson, the military governor, the first three of whom were also major- 
generals by brevet. The colonels who were brevetted brigadier-gener- 
als were William J. Smith, George Spalding and James P. Brownlow. 
Gov. Johnson, upon the organization of the State government in 1862, 
appointed Alvan C. Gillem adjutant-general, a position which he contin- 
ued to hold until the election of Gov. Brosvnlow, when he was succeeded 
by James P. Brownlow. On August 1, 1864, Lieut. Edward S. Rich- 
ards was appointed assistant adjutant-general. 

The first Union regiment of Tennessee Infantry was organized by 
Col. Pt. K. Byrd, at Camp Dick Robinson, Ky., in August, 1861. The 
other regimental officers at that time were James G. Spears, lieutenant- 
colonel; James T. Shelley, major; Leonard C. Houk, quartermaster; Ed- 
ward Maynard, adjutant; Robert L. Stanford, surgeon; William A. Rog- 
ers, assistant surgeon, and Samuel L. Williams, chaplain. This regi- 
ment was first under fire in the engao'ement at Wild Cat, and was after- 
ward present at the battle of Mill Springs. It also assisted in the capt- 
ure of Cumberland Gap, where it remained until the evacuation of that 
post by Gen. Morgan. It then retreated with the remainder of the com- 
mand to Ohio, and thence went on an expedition up the Kanawha Valley. 
Returj^ing, it went by the way of Louisville to Nashville, arriving in 
time to participate in the battle at Stone River, after which it returned 
to Lexington, Ky. It then entered East Tennessee under Burnside's 
command and was present at the siege of Knoxville. During the winter 
of 1864 it was stationed at Kingston, and in the spring entered upon the 
Atlanta campaign, participating in all of the engagements until just pre- 
vious to the surrender of the city, when the greater portion of the regi- 
ment was discharged on account of the expiration of their term of service. 

While at Cumberland Gap a detachment of this and the Second Reg- 
iment, consisting of sixty-nine men, led by Capt. Meyers and Lieut. 



498 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Rogers, captured au important outpost of the Confederates without the 
loss of a man. For this exploit a complimentary notice was read on dress 
parade, by order of Gen. Morgan. 

The Second Union Tennessee Volunteer Infantry was recruited and 
organized at Camp Dick Robinson, Ky., with James P. Carter* as colo- 
nel; D. C. Trewhitt, lieutenant-colonel; M. Cleaveland, major; A. Neat, 
surgeon; D. A. Carpenter, lieutenant and adjutant; George W. Keith, 
quartermaster, and W. J. Keith, commissary sergeant. The regiment 
was mustered into service to date from the 28th of September, 1861, and 
on the 18th of October following marched to meet the Confederate forces 
under Gen. ZoUicoffei. From that time until the evacuation of Cum- 
berland Gap by the Federal forces under Gen. George W. Morgan in Sep- 
tember, 18G2, the regiment was employed in eastern Kentucky, partici- 
pating in the battles of Mill Springs and many lesser engagements. It 
then marched through northeastern Kentucky, crpssed into Ohio and 
thence entered the Kanawha Valley, W. Va. Returning by the way of 
Point Pleasant, Ohio, it went from there to Louisville by river, thence by 
land to Murfreesboro, where it was engaged in the battle of Stone's Riv- 
er. It remained there until March 10, 1863, when it returned to Ken- 
tucky for the purpose of being mounted, which was done about June 1, 
1863. It remained in Kentucky, participating in various minor engage- 
ments with the Confederate forces under Pegram and Scott, until July 4, 
when it started in pursuit of Gen. Morgan in his raid through Kentucky, 
Indiana and Ohio, and was present at his capture. It then returned to 
Stanford, Ky., and joined the force under Gen. Burnside for the cam- 
paign in East Tennessee. In was in the advance of Burnside' s forces at 
Wolf Creek and Loudon, Tenn., and was present at the surrender of 
Cumberland Gap by the Confederate Gen. Frazier. It also took the ad- 
vance of the column which moved into upper East Tennessee from Knox- 
ville, and brought on and participated in the battle of Blue Springs. 
After pursuing the retreating forces to Abingdon, Va., and destroying a 
large amount of stores, it returned to Rogersville, Tenn., where, on No- 
vember 6, 1863, the regiment was captured by Gen. Jones. One hun- 
dred and seventeen men, most of whom had been captured, but soon af- 
ter made their escape, reported at Knoxville and were on duty there 
during the siege up to the 31st of November. Soon after the remnants 
of the regiment were gathered up and were detailed, as provost guards, 
to duty at Sevierville, Maryville, Clinton and Maynardsville. In Sep- 
tember, 1864, the garrison at Maryville, consisting of twenty-eight men, 
was captured. The remaining detachments were then ordered immedi- 

*Besigned March 2, 1864; succeeded by J. M. Melton. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 499 

^tely to Lee's Ferry, on the Clinch Eiver, to harrass Wheeler's forces, 
who were then on a raid through East Tennessee. After this exj)edition 
the regiment returned to Knoxville, where, on October 6, 1864, it was 
mustered out of service, there being at that time only 106 of the orig- 
inal number. 

The Third Union Kegiment of Tennessee Infantry was organized at 
Flat Lick, Ky., by Col. Leonidas C. Houk and Lieut. John C. Childs in 
March, 1862. The other field and staff officers were William Cross, 
major; Daniel M. Kay, adjutant; John D. Lewis, quartermaster; Will- 
iam A. Eodgers, surgeon ; John P. Blankinship, assistant surgeon ; Will- 
iam F. Dowell, chaplain; John L. Shipe, sergeant-major; Elijah W. 
Adkins, quartermaster-sergeant. It remained near Flat Lick until June, 
then, with Spear's Brigade, went to Cumberland Gap, but was subse- 
quently ordered to London, Ky. Here the regiment was divided, five 
companies under Col. Houk remaining at that place, and the other five 
companies under Lieut. -Col. Childs going to Eichmond. Houk having 
been attacked by a superior force under Gen. Scott retreated ^to Cumber- 
land Gap, and subsequently, with Morgan, to Ohio. The five companies 
under Childs while on their way to rejoin Houk at Loudon, were attacked 
by Scott's cavalry at Big Hill, and the greater part of the command 
captured. The remainder made their way to Eichmond, Ky., where, on 
August 23, 1862, all but about 100 were taken prisoners and paroled. 
The few who escaped retreated to Louisville, and were temporarily 
attached to the Third Kentucky Infantry, with which command they took 
part in the battle of Perryville. They were then ordered to Gallipolis, 
Ohio, where the regiment was reunited. It then went to Nashville, and 
thence to Murfreesboro. In April, 1863, Col. Houk and Lieut. -Col. 
Childs resigned, and the regiment then stationed at Carthage was placed 
under the command of Maj. William Cross, who, a short time after, was 
commissioned colonel. In August the regiment left Carthage, and 
marched by the way of Alexandria and McMinnville to a point on the 
Tennessee Eiver below Chattanooga. It remained in the vicinity of 
Chattanooga until November, when it proceeded to Knoxville to the relief 
of Burnside. April 26, 1864, it left Strawberry Plains to enter upon the 
Atlanta campaign, in which it took an active part. After the surrender 
of Atlanta it was ordered to Johnsonville, thence to Duck Eiver, and 
finally to Columbia. Before reaching the latter place, however, the 
approach of Hood forced it back to Nashville, which it reached by the 
way of Charlotte and Clarksville, arriving in time to participate in the 
battles before that city. After pursuing the enemy to Clifton, Tenn., 
it returned to Nashville, and was there mustered out February 23, 1865, 



500 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



the regiment at that time numbering about 3^0 of the original com- 
mand. During its existence it numbered 990 enlisted men. 

The Fourth Union Eegiment of Tennessee Infantry was recruited 
under the direction of Col. Daniel Stover, of Carter County, Tenn., at 
Louisville, in the spring of 1863. It was composed wholly of exiles from 
East Tennessee, who were brought out of the Confederate lines by officers 
and pilots sent in for that purpose. May 29 the regiment left Louis- 
ville, and was mustered into service in the following June. September 
9, 1863, under the command of Maj. M. L. Patterson, it marched to 
McMinnville, Tenn., where, on the 3d of October, after two hours' hard 
fighting against a greatly superior force under Gen. Wheeler, it was 
captured and paroled. Maj. Patterson, with forty men, returned to 
Nashville, and, the remainder of the regiment, with few exceptions, 
returned to their homes in East Tennessee. Upon the arrival of Maj 
Patterson in Nashville a court of inquiry was appointed to examine into 
the circumstances connected with the surrender of the post at McMinn- 
ville, which resulted in his complete exoneration from all charges. He 
then proceeded to Camp Nelson, Ky., to reorganize the regiment, where 
many of the soldiers reported immediately for duty, the paroles being 
invalid, having been given in violation of the cartel. January 20, 1861^ 
the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Twenty- 
third Army Corps. On the withdrawal of Gen. Schofield's army from 
upper East Tennessee, the regiment was sent to Loudon, and three com- 
panies, under Maj. Reeves, to Kingston, Maj. Patterson having been 
promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, was detached to command the bri- 
gade with headquarters at Loudon. The regiment remained there until 
November, 1864, when the troops were ordered to Knoxville. Lieut. - 
Col. Patterson was then put in command of a brigade consisting of the 
Fourth Tennessee and Third North Carolina Infantry for an expedition 
to Paint Rock, N. C, to cut off the retreat of the Confederates from Gen. 
Stoneman. This expedition ended about January 10, 1865. The reo-. 
iment remained in upper East Tennessee and vicinity until July, whL 
it was ordered to Nashville to be mustered out. Col. Stover, who organ- 
ized the regiment, was early attacked by consumption and saw no serv- 
ice in the field. 

The Fifth Union Regiment of Tennessee Infantry was organized at 
Barboursville, Ky., by Col. James T. Shelley, of Roane County, in March, 
1862. As a part of Spear's brigade it participated in the operations 
around Cumberland Gap during the summer of 1862, also in the retreat 
from that place, and subsequently in the battle of Stone River. It was 
present at Chickamauga, and took an active part in the battle of Mission 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 501 

Ridge. In tlie Georgia campaign it formed a part o£ Manson's brigade, 
and with the remainder of the Twenty-third Corps returned to fight 
Hood before Nashville. 

The oro;anization of the Sixth Union Reo^iment of Tennessee Infant- 
ry was begun in the early part of March, 1862, by Col. Joseph A. 
Cooper, at Barboursville, Ky., and, like most of the other regiments from 
Tennessee, was composed mainly of Unionist refugees. On April 23, 
four companies being completed, a lieutenant-colonel, Edward May- 
nard, was appointed. By May 1 three other companies were completed 
and the following field and staff officers had been appointed: William C. 
Pickens, major; Henry H. Wiley, quartermaster; William Cary, quar- 
termaster-sergeant; Ayres Maupin, surgeon, and Henry W. Parker, 
adjutant. The regiment actively participated in the opening movements 
of tlie Seventh Division of .the Army of the Ohio, under Gen. G. W. 
Morgan, in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap, where it remained until 
September 17, 1862, when it took up the line of march in Morgan's fa- 
mous retreat to the Ohio River. After being refitted it remained at Gal- 
lipolis, Ohio, until November 11, when the brigade to which it was 
attached was ordered to Nashville. During the battle of Stone River it 
was detailed as an escort for an ammunition train for Rosecrans' army. 
A short distance from Nashville it was attacked by the Confederate cav- 
alry under Wheeler, who was immediately repulsed with considerable 
loss. It remained at Murfreesboro until April, 1863, when it was at- 
tached to the First Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, 
and from that time until September, was employed in drilling and scout- 
insT in the vicinities of Carthao-e, Alexandria and McMinuville. About 
September 10, it Crossed the mountains and moved toward Chattanoo- 
ga, arriving in time to participate in the close of the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, as a part of Granger's reserve corps. The regiment was then 
stationed on the river above Chattanooga until it joined the forces that 
moved to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. It was engaged in the 
campaign of East Tennessee during the following winter. In April, 
1864, having been transferred to the Second Division, Twenty-Third 
Army Corps, Department of the Ohio, it moved to join Sherman in his 
campaign to Atlanta. In this it took an active part, losing heavily at 
Resaca. After the capture of Atlanta the brigade was ordered to report 
to Gen. Thomas at Nashville, and was located at Johnsonville and Duck 
River until the advance of Hood compelled a retreat. The regiment 
reached Nashville by the way of Charlotte and Clarksville, and partici- 
pated in the battles around that city on the 15th and 16tli of December. 
It was then transferred to North Carolina and joined Sherman's forces 



502 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

at Goldsboro, where it remained until March 3, 1805. The regiment 
was then returned to Nashville and was mustered out on April 27, 1865, 
having served a few days over three years. 

The Seventh Union Regiment of Tennessee Infantry was never or- 
ganized, and the companies raised for it were transferred to other reg- 
iments. 

The Eighth Union Regiment of Tennessee Infantry was recruited 
from East Tennessee exiles and refugees at Nichols ville, Lexington, 
Camp Dick Robinson and other points in Kentucky, by Col. Felix A. 
Reeve, assisted by John B, Brownlow and H. H. Thomas. The work of 
recruiting was begun in the fall of 1862, but owing to the fact that sev- 
eral cavalry regiments, which were more popular with the foot-sore refu- 
gees, Avere proposed at the same time, volunteers for infantry service 
were not numerous, and it was not until August 1863, that the regiment 
numbering about 700 men was organized. It was then assigned to the 
Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-Third Army Corps, Depart- 
ment of the Ohio, and was present at Knoxville during the siege of that 
place. In April, 1864, it marched to join Sherman on his Atlanta cam- 
paign, in which it took a very active part, participating in every engage- 
ment. At Utowah Creek, near Atlanta, it was in the advance, and about 
100 men of the regiment were killed and wounded in less than fifteen 
minutes. The Eight Regiment also bore an honorable part in the bat- 
tles of Jonesboro, Ga., and Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. 
In January, 1865, with the remainder of the Army of the Ohio, it was 
transferred to North Carolina, where it participated in the actions at 
Fort Anderson, Town Creek and Wilmington. Col. Reeve resigned 
command of the regiment in July, 1864. The major of the regiment 
when organized was George D. La Vergne, who was promoted to lieu- 
tenant-colonel in October, 1863, in place of Isham Young, resigned. 

The Ninth Union Regiment of Tennessee Infantry was never mus- 
tered into service, it being transferred and merged into other regiments 
before it was completely organized. 

The Tenth Union Regiment of Tennessee Infantry was organized at 
Nashville, about July, 1862, and was at first known as the First Tennes- 
see Governor's Guards. It was recruited partly in Nashville, and partly 
in Rutherford, Wayne, Hardin and Lawrence Counties, and was com- 
posed of a mixture of Americans, Irish and Germans. Until the sum- 
mer of 1863 the regiment did provost guard duty at Nashville, being 
encamped first at Fort Gillem, and afterward upon the Capitol grounds. 
It was then ordered out to guard the Nashville & North-western Rail- 
road, where it remained until the spring of 1864. During the following 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 503 

year the regiment was divided up considerably, detachments being de- 
tailed for various purposes. In the spring of 1865 it was ordered to 
Knoxville, at which place and at Greeneville, it remained until about July, 
when it was returned to Nashville and mustered out. It was commanded 
at first by Col. A. C. Gillem, and afterward by Col. James W. Scully. 

The First Union Eegiment of Tennessee Cavalry was organized at 
Camp Dennison, Ohio, November 1, 1862, with Kobert Johnson as col- 
onel; James P. Brownlow, lieutenant-colonel; James O. Berry and Will- 
iam E. Tracy, majors; Pleasant M. Logan, surgeon; James H. Jones, 
assistant surgeon; John P. Hotsinger, chaplain; Charles H. Bentley adju- 
tant; John H. James, quartermaster: McK. C. Williams and Franklin 
Highbarger, sergeaiit-majors. The regiment was then ordered to Ten- 
nessee, and in the organization of tlie cavalry, Department of the Cumber- 
land was united with the First Brigade, First Division. The ensuing sum- 
mer, with the forces of Gen. Ptosecrans, it entered on the campaign which 
resulted in the occupation of Tullahoma and Chattanooga, participating 
in engagements at Rover, Middleton, Guyer' s Gap, Shelby ville and Cow- 
an's Station. After an expedition through northern Alabama and Geor- 
gia under Lieut. -Col. Brownlow, it reached Chickamauga, and participated 
in the three days' battle of September 18-20, 1863. It was then sent 
in pursuit of Gen. Wheeler, going by the way of McMinnville, Shelby- 
ville and Murfreesboro, a detachment being sent to Sparta. The regi- 
ment afterward proceeded to Kingston, Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, New 
Market, Dandridge and Mossy Creek. At the last two places engage- 
ments with the Confederate cavalry, in greatly superior force, were had, 
but by gallant charges under skillful leadership the regiment succeeded 
in escaping with little injury. It then remained in that vicinity until 
April, 1864, when it began a march to Resaca, Cassville, Dallas and Pine 
Mountain, Ga., and thence to a raid on the Macon Railroad, where an 
engagement occurred. After some hard fighting it reached the Chatta- 
hoochee River on August 1, and while crossing the stream was attacked 
by the enemy, who succeeded in taking a large number of prisoners. 
Col. Brownlow reached Marietta two days later with a few men and there 
was joined by the more fortunate fugitives. During Gen. Wheeler's raid 
through Middle Tennessee the regiment was in engagements with him 
at La Vergne, Franklin and Campbellsville, and followed him upon his re- 
treat to Florence. It then returned to Pulaski and had a skirmish with 
Gen. Forrest, after which it continued to scout along the Tennessee until 
after the defeat of Hood, when it went in pursuit of his forces. After a 
reconnoissance as far as Corinth, in January, 1865, the regiment returned 
to Nashville, where it was mustered out June 14, 1865. 



°^^ HISTOEV OF TENNESSEE. 



The Second Umou Eegimeat of Teanessee Cavalry was organized at 
Cumberland Gap m the months of August and September, 18C2, under 
Col. D. M Bay and Lieut-Col. W. E. Cook, and was comp;sed of loyal 
citizens of Kno.., Blount, Sevier and surrounding counties, numbering in 
the aggregate about 1,175 men. Shortly after the organization of the 
regiment Gen. Morgan began his retreat to the Ohio Kiver, and the Sec- 
ond Cavalry, although dismounted, rendered efficient service in protect 
mg the flank and rear of the retreating column. Not long after its ar- 
rival at Gal ipohs, Ohio, it was ordered to Louisville where it was 
mounted and armed, and pushed on to join Eo.secrans at Nashville It 
arrived in time to participate in the battle of Stone Eiver, where it lost 
several officers and men. From that time until the 2.3d of June 1S63 
with the remainder of the Federal cavalry under Gen. Stanley, itwas em- 
ployed on he front and flanks of Eosecrans army, doing severe duty. At 
the latter date it moved with the army from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma 
pursuing Bragg aorcss the Cumberland Mountains. About July 10 it 
was ordered to report to Gen. Sheridan for special duty, and was em- 
;3loyed m the vicinity of Bridgeport, Alabama, and Chattanooga until the 
early part of September, when it rejoined the cavalry command under 
Gen. Stanley and participated in the battle of Chickamauga. After do 
mgsome escort duty it was ordered to Washington and Kingston, and 
assisted m the defense of the latter place against Gen. Wheeleit It was 
then ordered to Nashville, hastily refitted, and forwarded to Gen Will 
lam S. Smith at Memphis for an expedition into Mississippi, 'in the 

Ztpl y'^;" V /r;*-"'?*"' ""'^ "^"'^ ■" engagements at Okolona, 
T\ est Point, Tallahatchie Elver and elsewhere. On its return io Nash 
viUe m March, 18G4, Col. Eay having resigned. Maj. W. F. Prosser was 
commissioned heuteuant-colonel and placed in command. In the June 
folWang the Second, Third and Fourth Eegiments of Tennessee Cavalrv 
with Battery A of the First Tennessee Light Artilery, were ordered io 
JNorth Alabama and remained on duty in that district until the end of the 
year In the numerous engagements with the Confederate cavalry dur- 
ing that time the Second Cavalry displayed great gallantry, and received 
the commendation of all the general officers unde^ whom ^it served In 
the pursuit of Hood's retreating army the command to which it was at- 
tached marchecl 280 miles in seven days and nights of unusually sev^il 
weather, and during that time were engaged in six different actions capt- 
uring a large number of prisoner^ and material of every description 

on7utvT7 ","''■' ^^fr^'""^" ^^"'^ '""^'^'■«'' °"'' «-Wiment was 
on duty at \ icksburg and New Orleans 

The organization of the Third Union Eegiment of Tennessee Volun- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 505 

teer Cavalry was commenced at Cumberland Gap, by Maj. William C. 
Pickens, of Sevier County, acting under authority from Gov. Johnson. 
The first recruits were received August 10, 1862, and at the evacuation 
of that post by Gen. Morgan, only one company had been completed. 
This company shared in the retreat to Ohio and thence went to Louis- 
ville, where it was joined by the recruits of Companies B, C, D and E. 
These companies were ordered to Nashville as guards for government 
stores, arriving December 24, 1862, when they were temporarily attached 
to Gen. Spears' brigade. They were then ordered to the front and parti- 
cipated in the battle of Stone Eiver. On January 27, 1863, the five 
companies were mustered into service at Murfreesboro, and the remain- 
der of that year was spent in scouting and skirmishing with the enemy 
through various parts of Middle Tennessee. During that time four 
more companies were recruited and mustered into service. About De- 
cember 25, 1803, the regiment under the command of Lieut. -Col. Duff 
G. Thornburgh was attached to a brigade of cavalry under Col. D. M, 
Eay, of the Second Tennessee Cavalry, and marched upon the expedi- 
tion into Mississippi, participating in all the engagements of that cam- 
paign. While at CoUiersville, Tenn., in February, 1864, Lieut-Col. 
Thornburgh turned over the command of the regiment to Maj. John B. 
Minnis, and soon after tendered the resignation of his command, which 
was reluctantly accepted. The regiment returned to Nashville in March 
and remained there until April 10. From that time until September, as 
a whole or in detachments, it was engaged in scouting or skirmishing. 
On September 21 and 25, 1861. the entire regiment with the exception 
of 15 officers and some 200 men, were captured at Athens and Sulphur 
Brook Trestle, by the Confederates under Gen. Forrest. The captured 
officers were exchanged December 15. The privates were exchanged at 
Jackson, Miss., and on April 27, following, the steamer ''Sultana," having 
them with a large number of other trooj^s on board, blew up near Mem- 
phis, killing instantly 174 members of the regiment and mortally wound- 
ing a number of others. The remainder of the regiment was mustered 
out June 10, 1865. 

The Fourth Union Eegiment of Tennessee Cavalry was organized 
from East Tennessee refugees, at Cumberland Gap, in July, 1862. and 
entered the field under the command of Lieut. -Col. J. M. Thornburirh. 
After leaving that place it followed the course of the other regiments of 
Gen. Morgan's command, and reached Nashville January 26, 1863. At 
that place and Murfreesboro, it did post and scout service during the 
remainder of the year. It then went with Gen. Smith on his expedition 
into Mississippi, returning to Nashville March 18, 1864. On June 19 



506 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

it was ordered to Decatur, Ala., and in July marched with. Gen. Eousseau 
on his raid through Alabama, reaching Marietta, Ga., on the 23d of that 
month. It then accompanied Gen. McCook on a raid south and west of 
Atlanta, in which it lost nearly all its horses and arms in crossino- the 
Chattahoochie Eiver. On the 10th of August it returned to Decatur, 
Ala., and was assigned to post and scout duty under Gen. Granger until 
the 19th of that month, when it was ordered to Nashville. On Novem- 
ber 27, it advanced to meet Gen. Hood, and participated in nearly all the 
battles of that campaign. It was then ordered to the Gulf Department 
and accompanied Gen. Canby through the Mobile campaign, after which 
it went to Baton Rouge. It arrived at Nashville June 12, 1865. Com- 
pany C, was detached from December, 1863, to April, 1861, for duty at 
the headquarters of the Twelfth Army Corps at Tullahoma. The other 
companies served without intermission with the regiment. 

The Fifth Union Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry was recruited and 
organized in Middle Tennessee by Col. William B. Stokes acting under 
authority from Gov. Johnson, in July, 1862. It was made up at Nash- 
ville principally, the recruits coming in from various counties in squads. 
It was first known as the First Middle Tennessee Cavalry, but was sub- 
sequently changed to the Fifth Tennessee. The regiment was in various 
battles and skirmishes during the latter part of 1862, actively partici- 
pating in the battle of Stone River from first to last, closing the fio-ht 
on the Manchester pike on Monday evening, January 5, 1863. From 
that time until the close of the war the regiment was employed mainly 
in detachments, in the eastern part of Middle Tennessee. One battalion 
was stationed at Shelbyville for some time, and did good service in a 
number of battles and skirmishes, for which it received high compliments 
from its superior officers. The other portion of the regiment under Col. 
Stokes was stationed at Carthage, and had frequent skirmishes; since 
among other duties, it was required to carry the mail from that point 
to Gallatin. A portion of the regiment was in the battle of Lookout 
Mountain under command of Capt. Cain and Lieut. Carter. A post, also, 
was at Chickamauga and Chattanooga under Lieuts. Robinson and Nel- 
son. The regiment was subsequently ordered to Sparta, Tenn., to break 
up the guerrilla bands which infested that region. The guerrilla chiefs 
Hughes, Bledsoe and Ferguson declared a war of extermination against 
Col. Stokes' command, and then began a series of skirmishes and battles 
m which no quarter was given on either side. After completely subdu- 
ing the guerrillas the regiment was ordered to Nashville, where, under 
the command of Lieut. -Col. William J. Clift, it participated in the bat- 
ties in front of that city. Upon the removal of the regiment to Nashville 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 507 

Col. Stokes was assigned to the command of the forces at Carthage, 
■where he remained until honorably discharged in April, 1865. 

The Sixth Union Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry was partially 
recruited and organized at Bethel, W. Va., and was mustered into service 
November 13, 1862, under the command of Fielding Hurst. It entered 
upon arduous scouting duty in that region, and did valuable service in 
destroying guerrilla bands. It was subsequently ordered West, and, 
upon the retreat of Gen. Price from Corinth, it went in pursuit, captur- 
ing 250 prisoners without the loss of a man. While on this campaign it 
was also engaged with the enemy at Salem and Wyatt, Miss. It 
returned to West Tennessee in June, 1863, and was there employed in 
scouting and skirmishing until the following spring, when it entered 
upon a campaign in north Mississippi and Arkansas. November 26 it 
went to Nashville to participate in the memorable battle in front of that 
place, where it acquitted itself with credit. Dui'ing its existence it mus- 
tered nearly 1,600 enlisted men. 

The Seventh Union Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry was recruited in 
Carroll County and vicinity, and was mustered into service November 14, 
1862, under the command of Lieut. -Col. I. R. Hawkins, of Huntingdon. 
Nothing could be obtained of the movements of this regiment except that 
it was captured March 21, 1861. 

The Eighth Union Regimenf of Tennessee Cavalry was raised and 
commanded by Col. S. K. N. Patton, of Washington County, Tenn. It 
was composed of two fractions of regiments known as the Eighth and 
Tenth East Tennessee Cavalry. The Eighth Regiment was begun in 
Kentucky in June, 1863, under Lieut. -Col. Thomas J. Capps, and was 
first known as the Fifth Regiment East Tennessee Cavalry. It saw some 
active service in the field in both Kentucky and Tennessee under Gen. 
Burnside ; was at the surrender of Cumberland Gap ; took an active part 
in the fights at Blountsville and Rheatown; was beseiged in Knoxville, 
and rendered material aid in defending that post. The Tenth Regiment 
had its origin in East Tennessee in September, 1863, by authority 
granted to Col. S. K. N. Patton by Gen. Burnsides. It saw some active 
service in East Tennessee under Gens. Shackleford and Wilcox, Cols. 
Casement and Harney during the fall of that year. In December, 1863, 
it was sent to Camp Nelson, Ky., in charge of prisoners. February 6, 
1861, these two fractions were consolidated by order of Gov. Johnson. 
Col. Patton completed the regiment, and assumed command of it at 
Columbia in the April following. It remained there and at Franklin 
guarding the railroad until June 19, when it was ordered to Gallatin, 
where it remained doing similar duty until September. It was then or- 



508 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

dered to East Tennessee, where it joined command with the Ninth and 
Thirteenth Kegiments, and during the remainder of the year was almost 
continuously engaged in marching and fighting. On March 21, 1865, 
such portions of the command as were mounted, joined Gen. Stoneman on 
his raid into Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. The command was 
finally reunited, and went into camp at Lenoir's Station in June, 1865. 
It was mustered out of service at Knoxville, September 11, 1865. 

The Ninth Union Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry was organized at 
Camp Nelson from East Tennessee refugees in the early part of 1863, 
with Joseph H. Parsons, of Knox County, as colonel. It assisted in the 
capture of Cumberland Gap, after which it escorted the prisoners to 
Lexington, Ky. Returning to Knoxville, it remained there until after 
the siege of that place. It was then detailed to escort prisoners to Camp 
Nelson, from which place it was ordered to Nashville, where it arrived in 
January and remained until about May 1. It was stationed at Gallatin 
from that time until August, when it v/as constituted a portion of the 
brigade known as the "Governor's Guards," under the command of Gen. 
Gillem, which then entered upon a campaign in East Tennessee. It par- 
ticipated with great gallantry in all the battles of that campaign, and at 
Bull's Gap a large portion of the regiment was taken prisoners. A large 
part of the Eleventh Cavalry having also been captured it was consoli- 
dated with the remainder of the Ninth. On March 21, 1865, it entered 
upon the raid through Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia 
under Gen. Stoneman. It returned to Tennessee in May, and was mus- 
tered out at Knoxville in September, 1865. 

The organization of the Tenth Union Regiment of Tennessee Cav- 
alry was begun at Nashville under the supervision of Col. G. AY. Bridges. 
Companies A, B, C, D, E, H and I were organized during the fall of 
1863 and in the winter of 1864, and after having been organized into a 
regiment, were attached to the command of Col. George Spalding, Sec- 
ond Brigade, Fourth Division of Cavalry. During the summer and fall 
of 1864 it was engaged in arduous duty in Tennessee. About the close 
of the year it was sent to northern Alabama to watch the movements of 
Hood's army, and had an engagement with a largely superior force at 
Florence. Overpowered by numbers it was compelled to fall back to 
Nashville, where it was transferred "to Gen. Hatch's command, and par- 
ticipated in the numerous engagements attending Hood's raid into Ten- 
nessee. On the first day's battle before Nashville it lost seventy in offi- 
cers and men. The leader, Maj. William P. Story, was badly wounded, 
and the command devolved upon Maj. James T. Abernathy. At the close 
■of the campaign the regiment was sent to New Orleans, where it remained 





FttoK pmm Br rmss. KoeuEiNSGiCFS msumiE 



WiLLIAIV! G.BrOWNLDW 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 509 

until June 10, 1865. Companies F and G of this regiment were not or- 
ganized until February, 1865. Company Kwas organized in June, 1865. 
Company L was never fully organized. It numbered fifty-one men, and 
was stationed as a guard on the Nashville & Northwestern Kailroad. 
Sixty-three men comprising Company M were mustered into service in 
October, 1864, under William H. Hampton as first lieutenant. They 
served during the campaign against Hood as provost guard and escort 
company. Company A was detached from its regiment on April 26, 
1864, and assigned to duty at Springfield, Tenn., where it remained until 
August, after which it was with Gen. Gillem in his campaign in East 
Tennessee. 

The recruiting for the Eleventh Union Begiment of Tennessee Cav- 
alry was begun at Camp Nelson, Ky., where the greater part of five 
companies was raised. August 16, 1863, Isham Young, Reuben Davis 
and J. H. Johnson, the last two of whom had already organized the above 
companies, were commissioned by Gov. Johnson to raise a regiment of 
cavalry to be designated the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and by Oc- 
tober 21 all the companies except Company M, which numbered only 
forty-six men, had been filled and organized. On that date Col. Young 
received his commission, and the organization of the regiment, then at 
Knoxville, was completed, with E. A. Davis, lieutenant-colonel; James 
H. Johnson, first major; Alexander D. Rhea, second major, and Edward 
Black, third major. The regiment remained at Knoxville until after the 
siege, when it was ordered to upper East Tennessee. There five compan- 
ies, under Maj. Black, were sent to Morristown, and the remaining five 
companies, under the command of Lieut. -Col. Davis, were stationed at 
Cumberland Gap. They did scout duty along the Virginia line until 
February, 1864, when nearly the entire command was captured. The 
remainder of the regiment remained in East Tennessee until consolidated 
with the Ninth Regiment. 

The Twelfth Union Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry was organized 
by companies, the first of which was mustered into service August 24, 
1863. February 22, 1864, six companies had been mustered, and George 
Spalding was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. The regiment was then 
assigned to Gen. Gillem's division, and was placed on guard duty on the 
Nashville & Northwestern Railroad, where it remained until April, 1864. 
During the remainder of the year the regiment was in active service al- 
most continuously. It was one of the most efficient regiments in oppos- 
ing Wheeler on his raid through Middle Tennessee, and had several se- 
vere engagements with portions of his command. In the latter part of 
yepfcember it marched to contest the approach of Gen. Forrest, with 



510 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

whom it was several times engaged with considerable loss. It was also 
active in the campaign against Hood, participating in the battles at Law- 
renceburg, Campbellsville, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. From 
Nashville the regiment was in the advance in pursuit of Hood, and fired 
the last shot at the enemy as he crossed the Tennessee River at Bain- 
bridge. February 8, 1865, the regiment went into camp at Eastport, Miss., 
where it remained until May 11. It was then transferred from the Second 
to the First Brigade under the command of Bvt. Brig. -Gen. George Spald- 
ing, who had been commissioned colonel upon the completion of the 
regiment, August 16, 1864, and ordered to St. Louis. It was there re- 
mounted and refitted and sent to Fort Leavenworth, at which place, after 
having performed some escort and scout duty through northern Kansas 
and southern Nebraska, it was mustered out October 7. It returned to 
Nashville, and was there finally paid and discharged October 24, 1865. 

The Thirteenth Union Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry was organized 
by Col. John K. Miller, of Carter County, at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., 
in September, 1863. It was not fully equipped, however, until it reached 
Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in the month of December. It was there 
mounted, and soon after ordered to Nashville, where it remained until 
the spring of 1864. It was then ordered to Gallatin, where it did post 
duty until August 4, when it was attached to what was known as the 
"Brigade of Governor Guards," commanded by Gen. Gillem. With this 
command it operated in East Tennessee against the Confederate cavalry 
under Gens. Morgan, Vaughn and Breckinridge; and under Lieut-Col. 
William H. Ingerton acted a conspicuous part in the killing of Morgan 
and the rout and capture of his force at Greeneville, Tenn. Morgan was 
killed by Andrew Campbell, of Company G, of this regiment. This 
regiment formed a part of the command under Gens. Stoneman and Gil- 
lem, which did such signal service in southwestern Virginia in Decem- 
ber, 1864, and was also with the former general on his raid in the spring 
of 1865, participating with credit in the engagement at Salisbury, N. C. 
In June, 1865, it returned to Knoxville, moved from there to Lenoir's 
Station, then to Sweetwater, and finally back to Knoxville, where it was 
mustered out September 5, 1865. 

Bradford's battalion of Union Tennessee Cavalry was raised by Maj. 
W. F. Bradford in December, 1863, and January, 1864. It consisted 
of four companies organized at Union City, Tenn., and was at first incor- 
rectly designated the Thirteenth Cavalry. It remained at Union City 
until February 3, 1864, when it was ordered to Fort Pillow, where it 
arrived on the 8th. Recruiting at that point did not progress very rap- 
idly, and it was not until April 1 that the fifth company was ready for 



HISTOKY OP TENNESSEE. 511 

muster into the United States service. Before this was done, however, 
the fort was captured, and it together with the other four companies was 
nearly annihilated. With the capture of Fort Pillow the history of this 
battalion terminates. Hardly a nucleus of the command remained after 
the massacre. Only three commissioned officers were left, and two of 
them died soon after. A little detachment of men, who at the time of 
the fight were absent from the several companies on duty, were on 
August 18, 1864, consolidated in one company designated as Company A 
of the Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry. This company on February 14, 
1805, was consolidated with the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry, and was known 
as Company E. 

The First Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was organ- 
ized by Lieut.-Col. Abraham E. Garrett in the early part- of 1864, 
although a portion of the companies were not completed until the end of 
the year. The regiment served principally in the northeastern part of 
Middle Tennessee, where it had frequent and severe encounters with, 
guerrillas. 

The Second Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was 
recruited principally in the vicinity of Wayne, Hardin, and Perry Coun- 
ties. Company A was mustered October 2, 1863, and by February 1, 
1864, the date of the organization of the regiment, seven companies had 
been completed. Two more companies were added in April, and Com- 
pany K in June. John Murphy was commissioned lieutenant-colonel in 
Febriiary, and promoted to colonel upon the completion of the regiment. 

The Third Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was 
a three months' regiment, and was never fully organized. 

The recruiting of the Fourth Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted 
Infantry was begun in August, 1864, and the last company was mustered 
into service the February follomng. Its members were principally from 
the eastern portion of Middle Tennessee. It was placed under the com- 
mand of Joseph H. Blackburn, who was commissioned lieutenant-colonel 
November 26, 1864. 

The Fifth Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was- 
recruited and organized in the fall of 1864, at Cleveland, Tenn., by 
Col. Spencer B. Boyd, and Lieut. -Col. Stephen Beard. He was chiefly 
engaged in scouting through lower East Tennessee, northern Georgia, 
Avestern North Carolina and northern Alabama. It had frequent encoun- 
ters with Gate wood's and other guerrillas, one of which occurred at 
Spring Place, Ga., and another at Ducktown, Polk Co., Tenn. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Nashville in July, 1865. 

The Sixth Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was or- 



512 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ganized in Hamilton County, October 24, 1864, with George A. Gowin 
as lieutenant-colonel ; William H. Bean, major ; Eli T. Sawyers, adjutant, 
and William Eogers, quartermaster. It was employed for some time by 
Gen. Steadman, in scouting the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee 
and northern Georgia, after the guerrilla bands which infested that re- 
gion, and had several severe engagements with the bushwhackers. In 
March, 1865, the regiment was turned over to the commander of the de- 
partment, and was soon after placed under Gen. Judah, commanding at 
Decatur, Ga., where it continued its scouting iintil the surrender of 
the Confederate Army. It was then ordered to Eesaca. On June 18, 
1865, it was ordered to Nashville, and on the 30th of that month was 
mustered out. 

The Seventh Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was 
recruited during the latter part of 1864 in Anderson, Knox, Campbell, 
McMinn, Meigs and Monroe Counties. It was organized at Athens, 
Tenn., in the spring of 1865, with the following field and staff officers: 
James T. Shelley, colonel; James J. Dail, lieutenant-colonel; Oliver M. 
Dodson, major; George W. Ross, quartermaster; James R. Gettys, ad- 
jutant; Enoch Collins, assistant surgeon; Rufus Thompson, sergeant- 
major; John T. Rider, quartermaster-sergeant; James H. Baker, com- 
missary-sergeant; T. L. Farrell, hospital steward. During the greater 
portion of its service it was stationed at Athens, and was actively em- 
ployed in hunting gvierillas, with whom it had frequent engagements. 

The Eighth Union Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry was not 
organized until April, 1865. It was recruited in the vicinity of Macon 
and Smith Counties, and was under the command of Lieut-Col. William 
J. Cleveland. Having been organized so late the regiment saw but 
little service. 

Five Batteries of Light Artillery were also organized, but after the 
most persistent effort little could be learned concerning their movements. 
All were recruited and organized during 1863 and the early part of 
1864. A few men were also recruited for Battery F, but the company 
was not completed, and they were transferred to Battery A, in April, 
1864. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 513 



CHAPTER XVI. 

CONFEDEKATE MILITARY HISTORY — YiEWS OX THE QUESTIONS OF STATE SOV- 
EREIGNTY AND Secession — The Eefusal to Hold a State Convention — 
The Great Lack of Munitions of War— The Consideration of the 
Question of Coercion — The Excitement Attending the Surrender of 
Fort Sumter— The Refusal to Furnish Federal Troops— The Extra- 
ordinary Celerity of Defensive Measures— Gov. Harris and the 
General Assembly — The Organization of the Militia — The Act of 
Secession — The Provisional Army Bill — The Military League— The 
Adoption of the Confederate Provisional Constitution — Military 
Appointments — The June Election — The Manufacture of Ordnance, 
etc.— Soldiers' Aid Societies — The Transfer of the State Forces to 
THE Confederate Service— Sketch of the Field Campaigns— The Neu- 
trality Question — Federal Invasion of the State — Compulsory Evac- 
uation — Official Army Muster Eolls— The Horrors and Hardships 
OF Internecine War — General Movements of the Great Armies — 
Sketch of the Principal Engagements — Outline of PtEGiMENTAL Serv- 
ice—Close OF THE War. 

AMAJOEITY of the people of Tennessee, prior to the fall of Fort 
Sumter and the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, was 
warmly in favor of maintaining the Union of the States so long as it could 
be done without infringing the sovereign rights of any State. It had for 
years been the settled conviction of many Tennesseeans that the individual 
States of the Union were sovereign under the constitution and would not, 
so long as their rights were not invaded, take any steps to sever their 
connection with their sister States ; but they claimed the right, as a nec- 
essary consequence of the doctrine of State sovereignty,* to withdraw 
peaceably and establish a separate and independent government, when- 
ever it was demonstrated that their rights, liberties or institutions were 
in danger of limitation or abrogation. But notwithstanding these views, 
and notwithstanding the bitter hostility of the abolitionists of the North 
to the institution of slavery, the citizens of Tennessee looked with moist- 
ened eyes at the "Stars and Stripes," and remembered the ties of many 
bloody battles of the past in a common cause which bound the "Volun- 
teer State" to the Federal Government. The utterances for maintaining 
the Union were widespread and sincere. As soon, however, as the South- 
ern States began to enact ordinances of secession, and the severe views 
of the North in newspapers and public assemblies on the subject of coer- 
cion became known, many expressed the opinion that the only course for 

*"I have for many years advocated, as an essential attribute of State Sovereignty, the right of a State to 
secede from the Vnion."— Speech 0/ Jefferson Davis upon leaving the United States Senate. 



S14 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Tennessee to pursue was to sever her relations with the Union, and, as ^ 
means o£ security, enter into a league with the Confederate Government. 
Others opposed this course except as a last resort, while still others, 
particularly in East Tennessee, discountenanced every movement toward 
secession. Tennessee thus became a sea over which surged the wild 
waves of tumultuous emotions and conflicting opinions. 

As early as February 27, 18G0, the governor of Tennessee transmitted 
to the Legislature a special message, enclosing resolutions from the States 
of South Carolina and Mississippi, proposing a conference among the 
Southern States for the purpose of taking into consideration the relation 
of these States to the Federal Government. In the discussion of this 
proposal, the greatest divergence of opinion was developed in the Gen- 
eral Assembly. The ideas of the times on State relations were under- 
going a revolution. In November, 1860, Tennessee gave John Bell, the 
constitutional Union candidate for the Presidency, a plurality of 4,657 
votes, vv^hich result was regarded as showing in a measure, the strength 
of the party which favored the Union. In December, 1860, Gov. Harris 
called a special session of the General Assembly to be held at Nashville, 
commencing January 7, 1861. In his message, among other important 
statements, the Governor said: "Previous to the adoption of the Federal 
Constitution, each State was a separate and independent Government — a 
complete sovereignty within itself — and in the compact of union, each re- 
served all the rights and powers incident to sovereignty, except such as 
were expressly delegated by the constitution to the General Government, 
or such as v/ere clearly incident and necessary to the exercise of some ex- 
pressly delegated power." After reciting at length the grievances of the 
South over the questions of slavery, state sovereignty, etc., he recom- 
mended the passage of an act calling for an election to determine whether 
delegates chosen at such election should meet in convention at the State 
capital, to ascertain the attitude of the State toward the Federal Govern- 
ment. As it was instinctively felt, if not positively understood, that the 
convention might follow the example of South Carolina and enact an ordi- 
nance of secession, it came to be recognized by tacit admission that those 
who should vote "convention," would favor disunion and vice versa, and, 
therefore, intense interest was felt in the result. The discussion of the 
question whether such a convention should be held, was conducted Avith 
fiery energy in the Legislature. On the 9tli of January a resolution 
introduced against holding such a convention was lost by a vote of 
sixty-six to five. On the 19th of January, a bill was passed calling 
for an election to be held February 9, 1861, to determine whether 
*uch a convention should be held, and to select the necessary dele- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 515 

gates. It was also provided that the convention, if decided upon, 
should meet on the 25th of February "to adopt such measures for vindi 
eating the sovereignty of the State and the protection of its institutions 
as shall appear to them to be demanded;" and it was further provided 
that no act of the convention, severing the State from the Federal Union, 
should have any binding force until ratified by a majority of the qualified 
voters of the State. The election was duly held, but the result was 
against holding the convention by a majority, according to the best ac- 
counts, of over 60,000.* This was considered a strong victory for the 
Unionists. 

The General Assembly at this session, pursuant to the recommenda- 
tion of Gov. Harris to reorganize the militia of the State, passed an act 
for the formation of all white male inhabitants between the ages of 
eighteen and forty-five into companies, regiments, brigades and divisions ; 
assigned numbers to the regiments of all the counties of the State, and 
made ample provision for musters, etc. This was thought necessary "in 
view of the present excited state of the public mind and unsettled condi- 
tion of the country." The militia of the State, with the exception of a 
few volunteer companies in the thickly settled localities, had been disor- 
ganized by the recent repeal of the law requiring drills and public 
parades, so that the State was practically without military organization 
or equipment. There was not an arsenal or piece of ordnance in the 
State, and the poverty of the quantity of public arms was shown in the 
following report: 

Nashville, January 4, 1861. 
His Excellency, Isham G. Harris, Governor op Tennessee. 

Sir : In obedience to your order I have the honor of submitting the following report 
•of the number, character and condition of the public arms of the State. There are now on 
hand in the arsenal 4,152 flint-lock muskets, in good order; 2,100 flint-lock muskets, par- 
tially damagted; 2,228 flint-lock muskets, badlj'- damaged; 185 percussion muskets, in good 
order; 96 percussion rifles, in good order; 54 percussion pistols, in good order; 350 Hall's 
carbines, flint-lock, badly damaged; 20 cavalry sabres, with damaged scabbards; 132 
cavalry sabres, old patterns, badly damaged; 50 horse artillery sabres, in good order; 1 
twelve-pound bronze gun, partially damaged; 2 six-pound bronze guns, in good order; 1 
six-pound iron gun, unserviceable, and a large lot of old accoutrements mostly in bad or- 
der. Since having charge of the arms I have issued to volunteer companies, as per order, 
80 flint-lock muskets; 664 percussion muskets; 230 rifle muskets, cadet; 841 percussion 
rifles; 228 percussion pistols; 170 cavalry sabres; 50 horse artillery sabres. The above arms 
were issued with the necessary accoutrements, with but small exceptions, and of them the 
80 flint-lock muskets, 50 horse artillery sabres and 14 cavalry sabres have been returned to 
the arsenal. Respectfully, 

John Heriges, 

Keeper of Public Arms. 

*The newspapers published in Nashville at the time gave the majority at nearly 14,000 ; Greeley in The 
American Conflict, gay e it aX,(>l,{)bi; the returns in the office of the Secretary of State give it at nearly 9,000; 
while in the new and excellent work entitled Military Annals of Tennessee it is given at "nearly or quite 
40,000." The majority is as various as the different accounts. 



516 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The Assembly also passed a joint resolution asking the President o£ 
the United States and the authorities of each of the Southern States to 
"reciprocally communicate assurances" to the Legislature of Tennessee 
of their peaceable designs ; and also passed a resolution expressing pro- 
found regfret as to the action of the Leo^islature of New York in tenderins: 
men and money "to be used in coercing certain sovereign States of the 
South into obedience to the Federal Government," and directing the 
Governor of Tennessee to inform the executive of New York "that it is 
the opinion of this General Assembly that whenever the authorities of 
that State shall send armed forces to the South for the purpose indicated 
in said resolutions (passed by the New York Legislature) the people of 
Tennessee, uniting with their brethren of the South, will, as one man, 
resist such invasion of the soil of the South at any hazard and to the last 
extremity." The expression of these resolutions was tantamount to the 
sentiment of secession, and illustrates the position of the Legislature and 
of the Executive. 

Time passed and the Southern States one after another adopted or- 
dinances of secession.* Finally, early in February, 1861, seven of them, 
represented by delegates, met in convention at Montgomery, Ala., and 
established a Confederate States Government. This action was not lost 
upon those in Tennessee who favored a separation from the Federal Gov- 
ernment, and who redoubled their efforts to induce Tennessee to follow 
the example of those States which had seceded from the Union. All felt 
that momentous events were transpiring, though few who knew the wis- 
dom of calmness and moderation could successfully resist the wild and 
impetuous spirit of the hour. In the inaugural address of President 
Lincoln many saw coercion, an invasion of the sacred rights of state sover- 
eignity, and a direct menace to slavery foreshadowed, and advocated the 
immediate passage of an ordinance of separation. Others sought dili- 
gently and vainly for a compromise that would preserve both the Union 
and the rights and established institutions of the South. The masses in 
the State were loth to dissolve the Union under which they had lived and 
loved so long, and were, in a great measure, in darkness as to the real is- 
sues pending and the real course to pursue. In this bewildering and 
doubtful maze of governmental relations, wherein a clear head and strong 
will could direct public action, Isham G. Harris, governor of Tennessee, 
proved to be the right man in the right place. This was the state of pub- 
lic affairs when the startling news came that Fort Sumter had surren- 

♦Ordinances of secession were a<lopted as follows: South Carolina, December 20, 1860, without dissent; Mis- 
sissippi, January 9, 1861, yeas 84, nays 15; Florida, January 10, 1861, veas 62, nays 7; Alabama, January 11, 
1861, yeas 61, nays aO; Ueorgia, January IS, 1861, yeas '208, nays 89; Louisiana, January 20, 1861, veas 103, nays 
17; Texas, February 1, 1861, veas 1G6, nays 7; Arkansas, March 22, 1861, yeas 6'J, nays 1; Virginia, April 24, 
1861; North Carolina, May 20, 1S61; Tennessee, June 8, 1861. Confederate Government formed February 9, 1861. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 517 

dered and civil war commenced. Immediately succeeding this, while the 
public pulse was surging and public brain reeling, came the call of Presi- 
dent Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers and the following telegram for Gov. 
Harris from the War Department: 

War Department, Washington, April 15, 1861. 
To HIS Excellency Isham G. Harris, Governor op Tennessee: 

Call made on you by to-night's mail for two regiments of militia for immediate service. 

Simon Cameron, 

Secretary of War 

Gov. Harris was absent from the city upon the receipt of this dis- 
patch, but upon his return on the 17th he promptly wired the following 

reply : 

Executive Department, Nashville, Tenn., April 17, 1861. 
Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 

Sir : Your dispatch of the 15th inst. informing me that Tennessee is called upon for 
two regiments of militia for immediate service is received. Tennessee will not furnish a 
single man for purposes of coercion, but 50,000, if necessarj\ for the defense of our rights 
and those of our Southern brothers. 

Isham G. Harris, 

Governor of Tennessee. 

Immediately succeeding the fall of Sumter and the curt refusal of the 
Governor to furnish volunteers for the Federal Army, intense and long- 
continued excitement swept over the State. In almost every county the 
people assembled and, in mass-meetings and conventions, denounced the 
course of the administration in levying war upon the South and invading 
her sacred and sovereign rights. Many, who had previously expressed 
strong Union sentiments, were easily led to espouse the doctrine of seces- 
sion, now that the policy of the Federal Administration was seen to be 
coercion. It became so evident at this period that the advocates of seces- 
sion were in the ascendency, that the Governor and his supporters re- 
solved to adopt heroic measures to separate the State from the Union, 
set up an independent government, unite for greater security with the 
Confederate States, and place Tennessee in the best possible condition of 
defense, or to resist the encroachments of the Federal Army within her 
liorders, thus anticipating the eventual adoption of the ordinance of se- 
cession. It had been hoped that, in case of a war between the Federal 
and the Confederate Governments, Tennessee might be permitted to 
maintain a neutral position, either as a member of the Federal Govern- 
ment or as an independent State in case of separation ; and a correspon- 
dence, with that object in view, had been held between Gov. Magoffin of 
Kentucky and Gov. Harris ; but the gigantic preparations for war by both 
the North and the South immediately succeeding the bombardment of 
Fort Sumter, unmasked the fact that the State would in all probability 
be overrun by the armies of both sections, would become a battle-ground 



518 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

with all its accompanying horrors, and, therefore, could not remain neu- 
tral, engaged in the arts of peace. In this emergency Gov. Harris de- 
termined to convene the Legislature, and accordingly issued the following 
proclamation : 

Whereas, Au alarming and dangerous usurpation of power by the President of the 
United States has precipitated a state of war between the sovereign States of America, 

Therefore, I, Isham G. Harris, governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the 
power and authority in me vested by the constitution, do hereby require the senators and 
representatives of the two houses of the General Assembly of said State to convene at the 
Capitol in Nashville on the 25th of April, inst., 1861, at 13 o'clock, M., to legislate upon 
such subjects as may then be submitted to them. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the 
State to be affixed at the department at Nashville on this the 18th day of April, A. D. 1861. 

Isham G. Harris. 

On the 16th of April Gen. Cheatham, of the Second Division of Ten- 
nessee Militia, called for reports from all the organizations under his 
command to be made insianter. On the 18th Gideon J. Pillow issued 
an address to the " Freemen of Tennessee to organize rapidly to pro- 
tect the State, its 'beauty and booty' from Northern vandalism, and the 
depopulating ravages of war," and asked such organizations to report 
promptly to Gen. Cheatham. A similar call was made at Memphis and 
in other portions of the State. At this time a majority of the people of 
Tennessee needed no encouragement to continue the formation of militia 
companies and regiments, to arm and otherwise equip themselves to re- 
pel an invasion of the State, and to thoroughly fit themselves for the art 
of war. In this course they were enthusiastically and loyally supported 
by the press, the church, the leading citizens and the Executive. The 
most serious drawback was the want of serviceable arms. It is singular, 
but true, that from private sources the State drew the greater portion of 
her first supplies of arms. Under the stern pressure of the times the 
volunteer militia were required to bring from their homes their flint-lock 
muskets, their squirrel rifles, their percussion guns, their shot-guns, their 
pistols, or any other firearms that cotild be used with effect in dealing 
death unsparingly to an invading foe. By the 26th of April sixteen 
companies were stationed at Nashville, engaged in drilling and other 
military preparations, and nearly as many more were assembled at Mem- 
phis. East Tennessee, through the influence of William G. Brownlow, 
Andrew Johnson, Thomas A. R. Nelson, Horace Maynard and others, and 
by reason of its lack of slave population, supported the Federal Govern- 
ment by a large majority, though even there volunteers for the Southern 
cause were not wanting. Late in April there was established at Nash- 
ville, Memphis, Jackson, Colvimbia and other cities, mainly through the 
loyalty of the ladies to the Southern cause, "Bureaus of Military Sup- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. ^ 519 

plies," where contributions of money, blankets, clothing, provisions and 
any necessary supplies for field or hospital were received. In all direc- 
tions the stern and stirring preparations of a nation at war were steadily 
and rapidly advanced. 

The Legislature convened on the 25th of April and determined to 
hold a secret session. The Governor in his message said that as the 
President of the United States had "wantonly inaugurated an internecine 
war upon the people of the slave and non-slave-holding States, "etc., he 
would therefore "respectfully recommend the perfecting of an ordinance 
by the General Assembly formally declaring the independence of the 
State of Tennessee of the Federal Union, renouncing its authority and 
reassuming each and every function belonging to a separate sovereignty ; 
and that said ordinance, when it shall have been thus perfected by the 
Legislature, shall at the earliest practicable time be submitted to a vote 
of the people to be by them adopted or rejected." He also advised such 
legislation as would put the State on a war footing — the raising of a vol- 
unteer force for immediate service and the perfect organization of the 
militia, the appropriation of a sufficient amount to provision and main- 
tain such force, and the establishment of a military board. He also 
announced that since the last session of the Legislature 1,400 rifled mus- 
kets had been received by the keeper of public arms. By act of the 
Legislature, April 27, the Governor was authorized to have organized all 
the regiments that were tendered him; and his refusal to furnish volun- 
teers under the call of the Federal Government was cordially approved. 
On the 1st of May the Legislature passed a joint resolution authorizing 
the Governor to appoint tliree commissioners to meet representatives of 
the Confederate Government in convention at Nashville, May 7, 1861, to 
enter into a league, military and otherwise, between the State and such 
Government; whereupon Gov. Harris appointed Gustavus A Henry, of 
Montgomery County; Archibald O. W. Totten, of Madison County, and 
Washington Barrow, of Davidson County such commissioners. On the 
30th of April the Confederate commissioner, Henry W. Hilliard, addressed 
the General Assembly on the subject of the league between the two gov- 
ernments and his address was ordered printed. May 1 the Governor was 
directed to open a correspondence with the governor of Illinois to demand 
of him the restitution of the cargo of the steamer "C. E. Hillman," 
which had been seized by the Federal troops at Cairo. He was also 
directed to station suitable guards at all the leading railroad depots and 
bridges of the State. April 26 there were appointed a joint select com- 
mittee on Federal relations, a joint select committee on military affairs 
and a committee on ways and means. There were also incorporated at 



(520 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

• 

this session the Powell River Lead Mining Company, the Bumpass Cove 
Lead Mining Company, the Hickman County Saltpeter Company, the 
Confederate Paper-Mill Company in Shelby County, the Nashville Gun 
Factory and the Memphis Arms Company. By the 4th of May there were 
stationed in West Tennessee, mainly at Memphis and Jackson, thirty-nine 
companies of infantry, two companies of cavalry, tAvo companies of artil- 
lery and one company of sappers and miners.* On the 6th of May the 
following bill was passed: 

An Act to Submit to a Vote op the People a Declaration of Independence ani>. 

FOR Other Purposes. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That im- 
mediately after the passage of this act the governor of this State shall, by proclamation, 
direct the sheriffs of the several counties in this State to open and hold an election at the 
various voting precincts in their respective counties, on the 8th day of June, 1861. That 
said sheriffs, or in the absence of the sheriffs, the coroner of the county shall immediately 
advertise the election contemplated by this act. That said sheriffs appoint a deputy to 
liold said election for each voting precinct. And that said deputy appoint three judges 
and two clerks for each precinct, and if no officer shall from any cause, attend an}' voting 
precinct to open and hold said election, then any justice of the peace, or in the absence of 
a justice of the peace, any respectal)le freeholder may appoint an officer, judges and 
clerks to open and hold said election; said officers, judges and clerks shall be sworn as now 
required by law, and who, after being so sworn, shall open and hold an election, open and 
close at the time of day, and in the manner now required by law in elections for members 
to the General Assembly. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That at said election the following declaration shall be 
submitted to a vote of the qualified voters of the State of Tennessee, for their ratification 
or rejection: 
Declar.\tion op Independence and Ordinance Dissolving the Federal Relations 

between the State of Tennessee and the United States op America. 

First, We, the people of tlie State of Tennessee, waiving any expression of opinion as to 
the abstract doctrine of secession, but asserting the right as a free and independent people, 
to alter, reform or abolish our form of government in such manner as we think proper, do 
ordain and declare tliat all the laws and ordinances by which the State of Tennessee became 
a member of the Federal Union of the United States of America are hereby abrogated and 
annulled, and that all obligations on our part be withdrawn therefrom; and we do hereby 
resume all the rights, functions and powers which by any of said laws and ordinances 
were conveyed to the Government of the United States, and absolve ourselves from all 
the obligations, restraints and duties incurred thereto; and do hereby henceforth become 
a free, sovereign and independent State. 

Second, We furthermore declare and ordain that Article X, Sections 1 and 2 of the 
constitution of the State of Tennessee, which requires members of the General Assembly, 
and all officers, civil and military, to take an oath to support the Constitution of the 
United States (be and the same are hereby abrogated and annulled, and all parts of the 
Constitution of the State of Tennessee, making citizenship of the United States a qualifi- 
cation for office, and recognizing the Constitution of the United States) as the supreme 
law of the State, are in like manner abrogated and annulled. 

Third, We furthermore ordain and declare that all rights acquired and vested under 
the Constitution of the United States, or under any act of Congress passed in pursuance 
thereof, or under any laws of this State and not incompatible with this ordinance, shall 
remain in force and have the same effect as if this ordinance had not been passed. 

*Report of Gen. S. R. Anderson, who, April 2C, 1861, had been appointed by Gov. Harris to oversee the 
organization of the volunteer militia forces of West Tennessee. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. . 521 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That said election shall be by ballot; that those voting 
for the declaration and ordinance shall have written or printed on their ballots "Separa- 
tion," and those voting against it shall have written or printed on their ballots "No Sepa- 
ration." That the clerks holding said election shall keep regular scrolls of the voters, 
as now required by law in the election of members to the General Assembly; that the 
clerks and judges shall certify the same with the number of votes for "Separation" and 
the number of votes "No Separation." The officer holding the election shall return the 
same to the sheriff of the county, at the county seat, on the Monday next after the elec- 
tion. The sheriff shall immediately make out, certify and send to the governor the num- 
ber of votes polled, and the number of votes for "Separation" and the number "No Sep- 
aration," and file one of the original scrolls with the clerk of the county court; that upon 
comparing the vote by the governer in the office of the secretary of State, which shall be 
at least by the 24th day of June, 1861 — and may be sooner if the returns are all received 
by the governor — if a majority of the votes polled shall be for "Separation" the governor 
shall by his proclamation make it known and declare all connection by the State of Ten- 
nessee with the Federal Union dissolved, and that Tennessee is a free, independent gov- 
ernment, free from all obligations to or connection with the Federal Government; and 
that the governor shall cause the vote by counties to be published, the number for "Sepa- 
ration" and the number "No Separation," whether a majority votes for "Separation" or 
"No Separation." 

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That in the election to be held under the provisions of 
this act upon the declaration submitted to the people, all volunteers and other persons 
connected with the service of the State, qualified to vote for members of the Legislature 
in the counties where they reside, shall be entitled to vote in any county m the State 
where they may be in active service, or under orders, or on parole at the time of said 
election; and all other voters shall vote in the county where they reside, as now required 
by law in voting for members to the General Assembly. 

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That at the same time and under the rules and regula- 
tions prescribed for the election herein before ordered, the following ordinance shall be 
submitted to the popular vote, to wit: 

An Ordinance for the Adoption of the Constitution of the Provisional Govern- 
ment OF THE Confederate States of America. 

We, the people of Tennessee, solemnly impressed by the perils which surround us, 
do hereby adopt and ratify the constitution of the provisional government of the Confed- 
erate States of America, ordained and established at Montgomery, Ala., on the 8th day of 
February, 1861, to be in force during the existence thereof, or until such time as we may 
supersede it by the adoption of a permanent constitution. 

Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That those in favor of the adoption of said provisional 
constitution and thereby securing to Tennessee equal representation in the deliberations 
and councils of the Confederate States shall have written or printed on their ballots the 
word "Representation," those opposed the words "No Representation." 

Sec. 7. Be it further enacted. That in the event the people shall adopt the constitu- 
tion of the provisional government of the Confederate States at the election herein or- 
dered, it shall be the duty of the governor forthwith to issue writs of election for dele- 
gates to represent the State of Tennessee in the said provisional government. That the 
State shall be represented by as many delegates as it was entitled to members of Congress 
to the recent Congress of the United States of America, who shall be elected from the 
several congressional districts as now established by law, in the mode and manner now 
prescribed for the election of members to the Congress of the United States. 

Sec. 8. Be it further enacted. That this act take effect from and after its passage. 

W. C. Whitthorne, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
B. L. Stovall, 
Speaker of the Senate. 

Passed May 6, 1861. 



522 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

The following military bill was also passed: 

An Act to Raise, Organize and Equip a Provisional Force and for Other Purposes. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Oeneral Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That it shall 
be the duty of the governor of the State to raise, organize and equip a provisional force of vol- 
unteers for the defense of the State, to consist of 55,000 volunteers, 25,000 of whom, or any 
less number which the wants of the service may demand, shall be fitted for the field at the 
earliest practicable moment, and the remainder of which shall be held in reserve, ready 
to march at short notice. And should it become necessary for the safety of the State, the 
governor may call out the whole available military strength of the State. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That in the performance of this duty, the governor shall 
take charge of the military, direct the military defense of the State, organize the different 
arms, and with the concurrence of the military and financial board, hereinafter provided 
for, control the military fund, make contracts for arms, ordnance, ordnance stores, pro- 
cure material for the construction of arras, employ artificers, organize one or more armor- 
ies for the construction of arms, and do all other things necessary for the speedy and effi- 
cient organization of a force adequate for the public safety. And he shall organize a 
military and financial board, to consist of three persons of which he shall be ex officio 
president, and who shall discharge such duties as he may assign them in effecting the ob- 
jects and purposes of this act, and appoint such number of clerks as may be necessary 
under such rules and regulations as they may adopt. 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That the force provided for by this act, shall be organ- 
ized into regiments, brigades and divisions, and the whole to be commanded by the senior 
major-general, who shall immediately enter upon the duty of organizing the entire force 
for the field, the force authorized by this act, shall be mustered into service for the pe- 
riod of twelve months, unless sooner discharged. 

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted. That the staff of said force shall consist of one adju- 
tant-general, one inspector-general, one paymaster-general, one commissary-general, one 
quartermaster-general and one surgeon-general with such number of assistants of each as 
the wants of the service may require; and that the rank of quartermaster-general, inspec- 
tor-general, adjutant-general and commissary -general shall be that of colonel of cavalry, 
and the rank of their assistants shall be that of lieutenant-colonel and major of infantry 
and captain of cavalry, all of whom shall be appointed l)y the governor, subject to the 
confirmation of the General Assembly in joint session; Provided, That the governor may 
fill vacancies in said offices, occurring when the Legislature may not be in session, and 
the appointees shall at once enter upon the discharge of their duties, subject to the con- 
firmation of the Legislature when thereafter in session. There shall likewise be appointed 
by the governor, subject to like confirmation, one ordnance oflicer, with the rank of col- 
onel of infantry, who shall take charge of the ordnance bureau of the State, direct the 
construction of arms, under the governor and military and finance board, receive or reject 
the same, certify the fulfillment of contracts, and have the general supervision of the arm- 
ory of the State, with such assistants as the service may require, not exceeding three, who 
shall have the rank and pay of captain of infantry. The members of the militarj' and 
financial board shall be nominated by the governor and confirmed bythe General Assembly. 

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That there shall be organized by the governor, a med- 
ical department, consisting of the surgeon-general, and two other surgeons, the members 
of which department shall be nominated by the governor and confirmed by the General 
Assembly, who shall examine all applicants for surgeon and assistant surgeon, and certify 
their qualifications to the governor for commission in said service, and which department 
shall be subject to field service as other surgeons of the army. And the said department 
are hereby directed, other things being equal, to recommend from volunteer forces such 
regimental surgeons and assistants as the service may require. 

Sec. 6. Be it further enacted. That tliere shall be two major-generals, and such 
number of brigadier-generals as the proper and efiicient command of said force may re- 
quire, who shall be nominated by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 523 

with power to appoint their own staff; and a chief of engineers with such assistants as the 
service may require, to be nominated and confirmed in the same manner. 

Sec. 7. Be it furtlier enacted, That the senior major-general shall immediately enter 
upon the duty of organizing the whole force for the field. 

Sec. 8. Be it further enacted. That the governor be authorized to determine the 
field of duty which the safety of the State may require, and direct said forces accordingly. 

Sec. 9. Beit further enacted. That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of 
this act, the governor of the State is hereby authorized to issue and dispose of five million 
dollars of the bonds of the State of Tennessee, similar in all respects to the bonds of the State 
heretofore issued, except that they shall not have more than ten years to run for maturity, 
and bear interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum, payable semi-annually at such 
point as may be therein designated; Provided, That three millions of said bonds shall be held 
as a contingent reserve fund, and not used unless in the opinion of the governor, by and 
with the concurrence and advice of the military and financial board, the exigencies of the 
service and the public safety imperatively demand it; and said bonds shall be in denomina- 
tion of not less than one hundred, or greater than one thousand dollars. 

Sec. 10. Beit furtlier eneicted, That the public faith and credit of the State is hereby 
pledged for the payment of the interest on said bonds and the final redemption of the 
same; and that an annual tax of eight cents on the one hundred dollars qn the property, 
and one-half cent upon the dollar on the sales of merchandise or invoice cost, whether 
bought in or out of the State of Tennessee, which said one-half of one per cent is to be in 
lieu of the one-fourth of one per cent now levied, be assessed and set apart, and held 
sacred for the payment of the,interest on said bonds, and the creation of a sinking fund 
for their final redemption; Provided, that no more of said tax than is sufficient to pay 
the interest on said bonds shall be collected, until the expiration of two years from the 
issuance of the same, and that the whole amount of said sinking fund shall from time to 
time, as the same may accumulate, be used by the governor in the purshase of said bonds; 
Provided, They can be had at a price not exceeding par rates. 

Sec. 11. Be it further enacted, That banks and branches purchasing said bonds from 
the governor, shall have the privilege of classing the bonds so purchased, in the classifica- 
tion of their assets, as specie funds; and that the banks of the State are hereby authorized 
to invest their means in said bonds; Provided, That the State shall have the right to pay 
said bonds so purchased and held by said banks in their own notes; and individuals own- 
ing said bonds, having purchased the same previously of the State, shall hold the same 
free from taxation, either State, county, or otherwise. 

Sec. 13. Be it further eneicted, That in order to save expenses, so much of the act of 
the late extra session of the Legislature, as requires the supervisor to make monthly pub- 
lications of bank movements, be, and the same is hereby repealed. 

Sec. 13. Be it further enacted. That when peace shall be restored to the country, or 
the present danger pass away, that the governor of the State, or other rightful authority, 
under which said force may be at the time acting, shall issue a proclamation declaring the 
fact, and shall thereafter discharge the forces raised under this act, and from and after 
which this act shall cease to be in force. 

Sec. 14. Be it fiirther enacted, That the county courts of this State are empowered 
to assess and collect a tax on property and privileges in their respective counties; to provide 
a fund for the relief and support of families of volunteers whilst in actual service, when, 
from affliction or indigence, it may be necessary; Provided, That the said fund thus raised 
shall, in all cases, be expended for the benefit of the families of volunteers residing in the 
county where the same is raised; and the revenue collector, for collecting said tax, shall 
receive no compensation— and the same shall be paid by him, under order of the county 
court, to the persons to whom the same may be appropriated. 

Sec. 15. Be it further enacted, That the county courts be authorized to issue county 
scrip anticipating the tax necessary in effecting the objects of the preceding section. 

Sec. 16. Be it further enacted. That the county courts of this State are authorized 
and empowered to appoint and raise semi-annually a home guard of minute men, whose 



524 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

term of service shall be three months, in their respective limits, to consist of companies of 
not less than ten for each civil district, whose officers, when elected by the companies' re- 
spectively, shall be commissioned by the county courts, and whose duty it shall be to pro- 
cure a warrant from some justice of the peace, and arrest all suspected persons, and bring 
them before the civil authorities for trial; to see that all slaves are disarmed; to prevent 
the assemblages of slaves in unusual numbers; to keep the slave population in proper sub- 
jection, and to see that peace and order is observed. The Home Guards or Minute Men 
shall be armed and equipped by each county at its own expense, and a tax may be assessed 
and collected for the purpose, as well as to compensate those engaged in this branch of 
duty, if, in their discretion, compensation should be made. The Home Guard shall 
assemble in their respective districts to take precautionary measures at least once in each 
week at the call of the commanding officer, and shall be momentarily ready for service at 
his call. Persons engaged in this branch of duty shall, upon failure to obey the call to 
duty by the commander, forfeit not less than one dollar, nor more than five for each 
offense, to be collected in the name of the chairman of the county court, before any jus- 
tice of the peace, to be applied by the county court in defraying the expenses of this 
branch of the public service, unless such failure was the result of sickness or other good 
cause. A general commander shall be appointed for each county by the several county 
courts, whose duty it shall be, vvrhen necessary, to take charge of all the Home Guard 
or Minute Men in his county and direct their operations. And the county court is author- 
ized to issue county bonds or scrip for the purpose of raising money immediately to meet 
the expenses contemplated by this section. 

Sec. 17. Be it further enacted, That the property of all volunteers raised under the 
provisions of this act shall be exempt from execution and other civil process whilst in act- 
ual service; but this section shall not apply to the Home Guards. 

Sec. 18. Be it further enacted, That the governor, in raising the volunteers provided 
for in this act, shall have the discretion to accept into the service volunteer companies ten- 
dered from other States and from the Confederate States, if, in his opinion, the exigencies 
of the service or the public safety requires it. 

Sec. 19. Be it further enacted. That each regiment of infantry shall consist of one 
colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major and ten companies; each company shall con- 
sist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four cor- 
porals, two musicians, and not less than sixty-four nor more than ninety privates; and to 
each regiment there shall be attached one adjutant, to be selected from the lieuten- 
ants, and one sergeant-major to be selected from the enlisted men of the regiment 
by the colonel. The regiment of cavalry shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant- 
colonel, one major and ten companies, each of which shall consist of one captain, one 
first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, one farrier, one 
blacksmith, two musicians and sixty privates. There shall be one adjutant and one ser- 
geant-major, to be selected as aforesaid. 

Sec. 20. Be it further enacted. That each regiment shall elect its own colonel, lieu- 
tenant-colonel and major, and that each company shall elect its captain, its lieutenants, 
sergeants and corporals. Regimental musicians shall be appointed by the colonel, and 
the company musicians by the captains of companies. The colonel shall appoint his staff 
from his command. 

Sec. 21. Be it further enacted. That the pay of major-general shall be three hundred 
dollars per month; of brigadier-general two hundred and fifty dollars per month. The 
aid-de-camp of a major-general, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, shall receive forty 
dollars per month, and the aid-de-camp of a brigadier-general shall receive, in addition 
to his pay as lieutenant, the sum of twenty-five dollars per month. The monthly pay of 
the officers of the corps of engineers shall be as follows: Of the colonel two hundred and 
ten dollars; of a major, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; of a captain, one hundred and 
forty dollars; lieutenants serving with a company of sappers and miners shall receive the 
pay of cavalry officers of the same-grade. The monthly pay of the colonel of the corps of 
artillery shall be two hundred and ten dollars; of a lieutenant-colonel, one hundred and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 525 

eighty-five dollars; of a major, cue hundred and fifty dollars; of a captain, one hun- 
fdred and thirty dollars; of a first lieutenant, ninety dollars; of a second lieutenant, 
eighty dollars; and the adjutant shall receive, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, ten 
dollars per month. Ofiicers of artillery serving in the light artillery, or performing ord- 
nance duty, shall receive the same pay as officers of cavalry of the same grade. The 
monthl}^ pay of the infantry shall be as follows: Of a colonel, one hundred and 
.seventy-five dollars; of a lieuteuant-colonel, one hundred and seventy dollars; of a 
^major, one hundred and fifty dollars; of a captain, one hundred and thirty dollars; 
of a first lieutenant, ninety dollars; of a second lieutenant, eighty dollars; the adju- 
tant ten dollars per month in addition to his pay as lieutenant. The monthly pay of 
the ofiicers of cavalry shall be as follows: Of a colonel, two hundred dollars; of a lieu- 
tenant-colonel, one hundred and seventy-five dollars; of a major, one hundred and fifty- 
two dollars; of a captain, one hundred and thirty dollars; of a first lieutenant, ninety dol- 
lars; of asecond lieutenant, eighty dollars; the adjutant, tendoUarsper month in addition 
to his pay as lieutenant. The pay of the officers of the general staff, except those of the 
medical department, shall be the same as ofiicers of the second grade. The surgeon-gen- 
eral shall receive an annual salary of twenty-five hundred dollars, which shall be in full 
of all pay and allowance. The pay per month of the major-general's staff shall be the 
same as ofiicers of the same rank in the infantry service. The monthly pay of surgeon 
shall be the same as that of major of cavalry, and the pay of assistant surgeon shall be 
the same as the pay of first lieutenant of cavalry, and the rank of surgeon shall be that 
qf major of cavalry, and that of assistant surgeon the same as of the first lieutenant of 
cavalry. 

Sec. 23. Be it further enacted, That the pay of ofiicers as herein established shall be 
in full of all allowances, except forage for horses actually in service, and the necessary 
traveling expenses while traveling under orders; Provided, that officers shall not be enti- 
tled in any case to draw forage for a greater number of horses, according to grade, than 
as follows: The major-general, five; the brigadier-general, four; the adjutant and inspec- 
tor-general, quartermaster-general, commissary-general, and the colonel of engineers, ar- 
tillery, infantry and cavalry, three each. All lieutenant-colonels, and majors, and cap- 
tains of the general's staff, engineer corps, light artillery and cavalry, three each. Lieu- 
-tenants serving in the corps of engineers, lieutenants of light artillery, and of cavalry, 
two each. No enlisted man in the service of the State shall be employed as a servant by 
any officer of the army. The monthly pay of the enlisted men of the army of the State 
shall be as follows: that of sergeant or master workman of the engineer corps, thirty dol- 
lars; that of corporal or overseer, twenty dollars; privates of the first-class, or artificers, 
seventeen dollars, and privates of the second class, or laborers and musicians, thirteen dol- 
lars. The sergeant-major of cavalry, twenty-one dollars; first sergeant, twenty dollars; 
sergeants, seventeen dollars; corporals, farriers and blacksmiths, thirteen dollars; music- 
ians, thirteen dollars, and privates, twelve dollars. Sergeant-major of artillery and in- 
fantry, twenty-one dollars; first sergeants, twenty dollars each; sergeants, seventeen dol- 
lars; corporals and artificers, thirteen dollars; musicians, twelve dollars, and privates, 
eleven dollars each. The non-commissioned officers, artificers, musicians and privates 
serving in light batteries shall receive the same pay as those of cavalry. 

Sec. 23. Be it further enacted, That each enlisted man of the army of the State 
shall receive one ration per day, and a yearly allowance of clothing; the quantity and kind 
of each to be established by regulation of the military and financial board, to be approved 
by the governor. Rations shall generally be issued in kind, unless under circumstances 
rendering a commutation necessary. The commutation value of the ration shall be fixed 
by regulation of the military and financial board to be appointed by the governor. 

Sec. 24. Be it further enacted, That all the officers in the quartermaster's and com- 
missary departments shall, previous to entering on the duties of their respective offices, 
give bonds with good and sufficient security, to the State of Tennessee, in such sum as the 
military and financial board shall direct, fully to account for all moneys and public prop- 
erty which they may receive. Neither the quartermaster-general, the commissary-gen- 

33 



526 nisTOEY OF Tennessee. 

eraljlnor an other or either of their assistants, shall be concerned, directly or indirectly, in 
the purchase or sale of any articles intended for, making a part of, or appertaining to pub- 
lic supplies, except for and on account of the State of Tennessee; nor shall they, or either 
of them, take or apply to his or their own use, any gain or emolument for negotiating any 
business in their respective departments other than what is or may be allowed by law. 
The rules and articles of war established by the laws of the United States of America 
for the government of the army are hereby declared to be of force, except wherever the 
words ■' United States" occur, "State of Tennessee" shall be substituted therefor; and 
except that the articl<>s of war numbers sixty-one and sixty- two arc hei'eby abrogated, and 
the following substituted therefor: 

Akt. 61. Officers having brevets or commissions of a prior date to those of the corps 
in which they serve, will take place on courts martial or of inquiry, and on boards detailed 
for military purposes, when composed of different corps, according to the ranks given 
them in their brevet or former commissions, but in the regiment, corps or company 
to which such oflicers belong, they shall do duty and take the rank, both in courts and on 
boards, as aforesaid, which shall be composed of their own corps, according to the commis- 
sion by which they are there mustered. 

Art. 63. If upon marches, guards or in quarters, different corps shall happen to .I'oin 
or do duty together, the officer highest in rank, according to the commission by which 
he was mustered in the army, there ou duty by orders from competent authority, shall 
command the whole, and give orders for wiiat is needful for the service, unless otherwise 
directed by the governor of the State, in orders of special assignment providing for the 
case. 

Sec. 35. Be it further enacted. That all mounted non-commissioned officers, privates, 
musicians and artificers shall be allowed forty cents per day for the use and risk of their 
horses; and if any mounted volunteer shall not keep himself provided with a serviceable 
horse, such volunteer shall serve on foot. For horses killed in action, or that die from 
injuries received in the service, or for want of forage, volunteers shall be allowed com- 
pensation according to their appraised value at the date of mustering into the service. 

Sec. 86. Be it further enacted. That the military board shall procure for the service 
a supply of the army regulations of the United States, and provide by regulation a badge 
to designate the grade of officers in the service, and such flags and banners as may be 
necessary. 

Sec. 27. Be it further enacted, That the pay of volunteers who have been enrolled for 
service before the passage of this act, if actuallj' mustered into service, shall be counted 
from the time of their enrollment; and the commanding officer of artillery may appoint 
recruiting officers to muster into service recruits to be assigned to companies afterward, 
who shall receive pay and subsistence from time of enrollment. 

Sec. 28. Be it further enacted. That any ten companies, with the requisite number 
of men, offering themselves in a body, shall be mustered into service as a regiment, may 
immediately organize by electing their field officers, and be commissioned by the governor. 
The seniority of captain shall be fixed by the brigadier-general regularly in command; 
Provided, that in all cases where regiments shall have previously organized and elect- 
ed their officers, such organization and election may be treated by the governor as good 
and valid. 

Sec. 29. Be it further enacted, That each of the members of the military and finan- 
cial board shall receive compensation at the rate of fifteen hundred dollars per annum. 

Sec. 30. Be it further enacted, That officers of artillery, from colonel to captain 
inclusive, shall be nominated by tlie governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. 

Sec. 31. Be it further enacted, That all persons against whom indictments or pre- 
sentments for misdemeanors may be pending, and who have enlisted under this act in the 
service of tlie State, the same may be dismissed in the discretion of the judge before 
whom the same is pending, as well as for forfeitures against the defendant and his- 
securities. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 527 

Sec. 33. Bo it further enacted, That the keeper of the public arms be, and he is 
hereby directed to make suitable and propei- arrangements for the convenience and pro- 
tection of the arsenal of the State; and that for the expenses incurred for such purposes, 
the sum of twelve hundred dollars is hereb}^ appropriated, for which the comptroller will 
issue his warrant upon the treasury, upon the certificate of such keeper, and approved of 
by the military board. 

Sec. 83. Be it further enacted, That the municipal authorities of all incorporated 
towns in this State be authorized to borrow money by issuing the bonds of such corpora- 
tion, or otherwise, for the military defense of such town; and in all cases where cori)orate 
authorities of said towns have already issued their bonds for the purpose aforesaid, the 
same is hereby declared legal and valid. 

Sec. 34. Be it further enacted, That to enable the county court to carry into effect 
without delay the provisions of the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth section of this act. 
the chairman of the county court is empowered to assemble at any time the members of 
the quarterly court, who, when assembled, shall have all the powers exercised by them at 
the regular quarterly sessions. 

SEd. 35. Be it further eneicted, That the corporate authorities of towns and cities 
are hereby empowered and authorized to levy a military tax upon personal and real estate, 
not to exceed the one-half of one per cent, and on privileges not greater than one-half the 
amount now paid to the State; such money to be raised shall be used for military purposes 
under the direction of the authority so levying and collecting the same. 

Sec. 36. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the inspector-general of 
the State, to be appointed under this act, and such assistants as the governor may appoint 
to muster into the service of the State of Tennessee each company and regiment after the 
same are inspected, at such times and plac'es as the governor shall designate, and when 
said troops are so mustered into the service of the State, they shall be subject to all the 
rules and articles of war as adopted by this act. 

Sec. 37. Be it further eneicted, That it shall be the duty of each captain upon being 
mustered into the service to furnish a complete roll of the officers and men in his companj' 
to the inspector-general, who shall file one copy of the same in the adjutant-general's 
office, and one copy to be delivered to the colonel of each regiment then formed, and it 
shall be the duty of the adjutant-general to furnish blank forms to the captains of com- 
panies. 

Sec. 38. Be it further enacted, That the governor, by and with the consent of the 
military and financial board or bureau, shall be authorized to purchase and carry on 
any manufactory or manufactories of gunpowder, which may be deemed necessary for the 
iise of the State, purchase or lease any interest in any lead, saltpetre, or other mines, and 
work the same for the use of the State, and may also in the name of the State make con- 
tracts for the manufacture of fire-arms or any other munitions of war, to be manufactured 
in the State, and make such advancements in payment for the same as may be deemed 
advisable to insure the ready and speedy supply thereof for the use of the State. Provided, 
that when such contract is made or entered into the individual or company making the 
sa-me shall give bond and security for the repayment thereof, if the arms or other muni- 
tions of war for v^hich such advancement may be made shall not be furnished within the 
time agreed upon for their delivery, or shall not be of the character contracted for. 

Sec. 39. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of aiding in supplying the State 
with arms for the public defense, that the act of January 30, 1861, incorporating the Mem- 
phis Arms Company, be and the same is hereby confirmed, and the corporators declared to 
be entitled to exercise all the rights and privileges intended to be given by said act; and it 
\s further enacted, that M. Clusky, John Overton, Robert C. Brinkley, Sam. Tate, M. J. 
Wicks, Roberson Topp, William R. Hunt, Fred. W. Smith, J. E. R. Ray, Moses White 
and Ed. Munford be added to the list of corporators. 

Sec. 40. Beit further enacted. That the governor and all other authorities having 
charge of finances in the movement contemplated by this act shall make full reports to 



528 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the General Assembly of the State to the amount expended, as well as the various pur- 
poses for which such expenditures may have been made. 

Sec. 41. Be it further enacted, That this act take effect from and after its passage. 

W. C. Whitthorne, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

B. R. Stoval-l, 

Speaker of the Senate. 
Passed May 6, 1861. 
A true copj'. J. E. R. Ray, Secretary of State. 

On the 7th of May the following message was communicated to the 

Legislature : 

* Executive Department, Nashville, May 7, 1861. 
Oentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: 

By virtue of the authority of your joint resolution, adopted on the 1st day of May, 
inst., I appointed Gustavus A. Henry, of the county of Montgomery; Archibald O. W. 
Totten, of the county of Madison, and Washington Barrow, of the county of Davidson, 
"commissioners on the part of Tennessee, to enter into a military league with the authori- 
ties of the Confederate States, and with the authorities of such other slave-holding States 
as may wish to enter into it; having in view the protection and defense of the entire South 
against the war that is now being carried on against it." 

The said commissioners met the Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, the accredited representa- 
tive of the Confederate States, at Nashville, on this day, and have agreed upon and ex- 
ecuted a military league between the State of Tennessee and the Confederate States of 
America, subject, however, to the ratification of the two governments, one of the dupli- 
cate originals of which I herewith transmit for your ratification or rejection. For many 
cogent and obvious reasons, unnecessary to be rehearsed to you, I respectfully recommend 
the ratification of this League at the earliest practicable moment. 

Very Respectfully, 

IsHAM G. Harris. 

Convention Between the State of Tennessee and the Confederate States op 

America. 

The State of Tennessee, looking to a speedy admission into the Confederacy estab- 
lished by the Confederate States of America, in accordance with the Constitution for the 
provisional government of said States, enters into the following temporary convention, 
agreement and military league with the Confederate States, for the purpose of meeting 
pressing exigencies affecting the common rights, interests and safety of said States and 
said Confederacy. First, until the said State shall become a member of said Confederacy, 
according to the constitution of both powers, the whole military force and military oper- 
ations, offensive and defensive, of said State, in the impending conflict with the United 
States, shall be under the chief control and direction of the President of the Confederate 
States, upon the same basis, principles and footing as if said State was now, and during 
the interval, a member of said Confederacy, said force, together with that of the Confed- 
erate States, to be employed for the common defense. Second, the State of Tennessee 
will, upon becoming a member of said Confederacy under the permanent constitution of 
said Confederate States, if the same shall occur, turn over to said Confederate States all 
the public property acquired from the United States, on the same terms and in the same 
manner us the other States of said Confederacy have done in like cases. Third, what- 
ever expenditures of money, if any, the said State of Tennessee shall make before she 
becomes a member of said Confederacy, shall be met and provided for l)y the Confed- 
erate States. This convention entered into and agreed in the city of Nashville, Tennes- 
see, on the seventh day of May, A. D. 1861, by Henry W. Hilliard, the duly authorized 
commissioner to act in the matter of the Confederate States, and Gustavus A. Henry, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 529 

Archibald O. W. Totten and Wasliington Barrow, commissioners duly authorized to act 
in like manner for the State of Tennessee, the whole subject to the approval and rati- 
fication of the proper authorities of both governments, respectively. 

In testimony whereof the parties aforesaid have herewith set their hands and seals, 
the day and year aforesaid; duplicate originals. 

[seal.] Henry W. Hilliard, 
Commissioner for the Confederate States of America. 
[seal,.] Gustavus a. Henry, 
[seal.] a. W. O. Totten, 
[seal.] Washlngton Barrow, 
Commissioners on the Part of Tennessee. 

Immediately upon receiving the report of tlie commissioners the 

Legislature passed the following joint resolution: 

Whereas, A military league, offensive and defensive, was formed on this the 7th of 
May, 1861, by and between A, O. W. Totten, Gustavus A. Henry and Washington Barrow, 
commissioners on the part of the State of Tennessee, and H. W. Hilliard, commissioner 
on the part of the Confederate States of America, subject to the confirmation of the two 
governments ; 

Be it therefore resolved by the General Assembly of the State ofTennessee, That said 
league be in all respects ratified and confirmed; and the said General Assembly hereby 
pledges the faith and honor of the State of Tennessee to the faithful observance of the 
terms and conditions of said league. 

The following is the vote in the Senate on the adoption of the league : 
Ayes: Messrs. Allen, Horn, Hunter, Johnson, Lane, Minnis, McClellan, 
McNeilly, Payne, Peters, Stanton, Thompson, Wood and Speaker Stovall 
— 14. Nays: Messrs. Boyd, Bradford, Hildreth, Nash, Richardson and 
Stokes — 6. Absent and not voting: Messrs. Bumpass, Mickley, New- 
man, Stokely and Trimble — 5. 

The following is the vote in the House: Ayes: Messrs. Baker, of 
Perry; Baker, of Weakley; Bayless, Bicknell, Bledsoe, Cheatham, Cow- 
den, Davidson, Davis, Dudley, Ewing, Farley, Farrelly, Ford, Frazier, 
Gantt, Guy, Havron, Hurt, Ingram, Jones, Kenner, Kennedy, Lea, Lock- 
hart, Martin, Mayfield, McCabe, Morphies, Nail, Pickett, Porter, Eich- 
ardson, Roberts, Sheid, Smith, Sowell, Trevitt, Vaughn, Whitmore, 
Woods and Speaker Whitthorne — 42. Nays: Messrs. Armstrong, Bra- 
zelton, Butler, Caldwell, Gorman, Greene, Morris, Norman, Russell, Sen- 
ter, Strewsbury, White, of Davidson; Williams, of Knox; Wisener and 
Woodward — 15. Absent and not voting: Messrs. Barksdale, Beaty, 
Bennett, Britton, Critz, Doak, East, Gillespie, Harris, Hebb, Johnson, 
Kincaid, of Anderson ; Kincaid, of Claiborna ; Trewhitt ; White, of Dick- 
son; Williams, of Franklin; Williams, of Hickmati, and Williamson — 18. 

The action of the Legislature in passing the ordinance of secession, 
in adopting the provisional constitution of the Confederacy, in passing 
the army bill and in ratifying the league between Tennessee and the 
Confederate Government, all subject to adoption or rejection by the peo- 
ple of the State, and all done amid great excitement within a few days, 



530 HISTORY or TENNESSEE. 

met the heartiest and wildest reception from all portions of the State. 
The only opposition encountered was in East Tennessee ; but the Gov- 
ernor, as commander-in-chief of the provisional army, determined to 
occupy that portion of the State immediately with troops in the hope of 
subjecting it to the Confederate cause. As soon as possible, by virtue 
of the authority vested in him by the army bill, he made the following 
military appointments, all of which were ratified by the General As- 
sembly : 

Executive Department, Nashville, May 9, 1861. 
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Bepresentatives: 

I have nominated and herewith submit for your confirmation the following gentlemen: 

For major-generals, Gideon J. Pillow, Samuel R. Anderson. For brigadier-generals, 
Felix K. Zollicoffer, Benjamin F. Cheatham, Robert C. Foster, third; John L. T. Sneed, 
W. R. Caswell. For adjutant-general, Daniel S. Donelson. For inspector-general, 
William H. Carroll. For quarter-master general, Vernon K. Stevenson. For commis- 
sary-general, R. G. Fain. For paymaster-general, William Williams. For surgeon- 
general. Dr. Paul F. Eve. For assistant surgeon-generals. Dr. Joseph C. Newnan, Dr. 
John D. Winston. For assistant adjutant-generals, W. C. Whitthorne, James D. Porter, 
Jr., Hiram S. Bradford, D. M. Key. For assistant inspector-generals, J. W. Gillespie, 
James L. Scudder, John C. Brown, Alexander W. Campbell. For assistant quartermas- 
ter-generals, Paulding Anderson, George W. Cunningham, Samuel T. Bicknell, George 
W. Fisher, Thomas L. Marshall, Thomas Peters, John G. Finnie, W. P. Davis, J. H. Mc- 
Mahon. For assistant commissary-generals, Calvin M. Fackler, John L. Brown, Miles 
Draughn, Madison Stratton, James S. Patton, W. W. Guy, P. T. Glass. For assistant 
paymaster-generals. Claiborne Deloach, William B. Reese, Jr., Thomas Boyers. For 
lieutenant-colonel of artillery, John P. McCown. For military and financial board, 
Neill S. Brown, James E. Bailey, William G. Harding. ^ 

By reference to your act of the 6th of May, and the army regulations, it will be seen 
that there are additional nominations j-et to be submitted, the number of which it is im- 
possible for me to determine until it is ascertained, with at least some degree of certainty, 
the number of troops that it may be necessary to call into active service. I have, there- 
fore, nominated the heads of departments with such assistants as I considered necessary 
to the work of immediate organization, leaving the developments of the future to deter- 
mine the additional appointments it may be proper to make. 

Very Respectfully, 

IsHAM G. Harris. 

Later the following appointments were made : 

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Bepresentatives: 

Under the act of the General Assembly of the 6th of May, 1861. I have made the fol- 
lowing nominations for the consideration and confirmation of the General Assembl3% 
to wit: 

On the 10th instant — Dr. B. W. Avent, surgeon-general, vice Dr. Paul F. Eve, re- 
signed. On the 10th instant — For surgeon of Col. Preston Smith's regiment. Dr. Emmett 
Woodward and Dr. Richard Butt, assistant-surgeon. On the 15th instant— For surgeon 
of Col. J. Knox Walker's regiment. Dr. James D. Lindsay. On the 17th instant — For 
.surgeon of Col. George Maney's regiment. Dr. William Nichol and J. R. Buist, assistant- 
surgeon. On the 17th instant — For surgeon of Col. John C. Brown's regiment, Dr. 
Samuel H. Stout. On the 13th instant — For captains of the artillery corps, Arthur N. 
Rutlcdge, Marshall T. Polk, William H. Jackson, Andrew Jackson, .Jr. On the 17th in- 
stant—Reuben Ross, James H. Wilson, Smith P. Bankhead, Robert M. Russell. On the 
17th instant — For colonel commandant of the artillery corps, John P. McCown. For 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 531 

lieutenant-colonel, Milton A. Haynes. For major, Alexander P. Stewart. On the IStli 
instant — For captain of ordnance, Moses H Wright. On the 16th instant — For assistant 
adjutant-generals, Pallok B. Lee and Adolphus Hieman. On the 15th instant — For as- 
sistant inspector-general, Henry Wall, vice John C. Brown, declined, Jo. G. Pickett and 
C. H. Williams. On the 16th instant — For major of engineer corps, B. R. Johnson. 
For the captains of said corps, W. D. Pickett, Montgomery Lynch and W. A. Forbes. 
On the 16th instant — For assistant quartermaster-general, Jesse B. Clements, vice Paul- 
ding Anderson, declined, John L. Sehon, E. Foster Cheatham, James Glover, John W. 
Eldridge, A. J. Vaughn, JohnS. Bransford, John S. Hill, A. L McClellan, Nathan Adams, 
H. T. Massengale, John W. Gorham, Frank M. Paul, S. H. Whitthorne., On the 17th in- 
stant — For assistant commissary-generals, Frank W. Green, John R. Wood, Daniel P. 
Cocke, John W. Crisp, O. B. Caldwell, Lee M. Gardner, William C. Bryan, Jerome Rid- 
ley, William H. Stover, R. H. Williamson, John D. Allen, Albert G. Firing, G. W. Me- 
nees, Samuel E. Barbee. The rank of the various appointees will be determined upon the 
issuance of commissions, after confirmation by the General Assembly. In the meantime 
they will enter upon the duties of their respective positions as they may be ordered to do 
by their superior officers. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the 
[l. s.] great seal of the State to be affixed at the department at Nashville, this 

the 18th of May, 1861. 

IsHAM G. Harris. 
By the Governor: 
J. E. R. Rat, Secretary of State. 

After the passage of the army bill the formation and thorough 
discipline of regiments for the field rapidly took place. Memphis and 
Nashville became stirring military centers. Every county seat was a 
camp. Almost every pursuit was dropped except the popular art of 
making war. As a result great progress was made, and soon more than 
the number of volunteers called for were ready, and as fast as they could 
be supplied with arms were mustered into the provisional army of Ten- 
nessee. Herculean efforts were made to supply the regiments as fast as 
possible with arms, and calls were issued by the authorities for guns of 
any description that could be used with effect — shot-guns, flint-lock and 
percussion rifles, squirrel and bear guns, pistols, etc. On the 18th of 
June the Legislature again met, pursuant to the call of the Governor, 
who, in his message, recommended that, owing to the difficulty of con- 
verting the bonds ordered issued under the army bill of May 6 into 
money, three-fifths ($3,000,000) of the amount ($5,000,000) should be 
issued in treasury notes in lieu of an equivalent amount of such bonds ; 
that the interest on the internal improvement bonds of the State, pay- 
able in New York, should be made payable at Nashville, Charleston or 
New Orleans ; and that all necessary legislation to regulate the currency 
of the State should be made. He also submitted a statement of the 
progress made in placing the State in an attitude of defense. Twenty- 
one regiments of infantry had been organized and were in the field ; ten 
artillery companies were in progress of completion; enough cavalry 
companies to form a regiment were also well advanced, and an engineers 



532 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



corps was nearly ready for service. Besides these three regiments from 
the State were with the Confederate Army in Vii'ginia, and a small squad 
was with the army at Pensacola. In addition, many of the militia regi- 
ments were as ready for the field as several which had been accepted and 
mustered in. 

In accordance with the provisions of the act of May 6 an election 
was held throughout the State June 8, for the people to decide upon 
the question of secession or separation, and the question of representation 
in the Confederate States Congress, and the adoption of the provisional 
constitution of the Confederate Government. It was well assured at the 
start that both "separation" and "representation" would carry by hand- 
some majorities, and this assurance was well sustained as the returns 
began to come in. The following proclamation by the Governor officially 
announced the result: 

PROCLAMATION. 
To all whom these Presents shall come — Greeting : 

Whereas, Bj^ an act of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, passed on 
the 6th of May, 1861, an election on the 8th of June, 1861, was held in the several counties 
of the State in accordance therewith, upon the Ordinance of Separation and Representa- 
tion; and also, whereas, it appears from the official returns of said election (hereto ap- 
pended) that the people of the State of Tennessee haye in their sovereign will and capac- 
ity, by an overwhelming majority, cast their votes for "Separation," dissolving all 
political connection with the late United States Government, and adopted the provisional 
government of the Confederate States of America: 

Now, therefore, I, Isham G. Harris, governor of the State of Tennesse, do "make it 
known and declare all connection of the State of Tennessee with the Federal Union dis. 
solved, and that Tennessee is a free, independent government, free from all obligation to, 
or connection with, the Federal Government of the United States of America. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the 
[li.s.] great seal of the State to be affixed at the department in Nashville, on 

this, the 24th day of June, A. D.. 1861. 

Isham G. Harris. 
By the Governor: 
J. E. R. Ray, Secretary of State. 



OFFICIAL ELECTION RETURNS. 

EAST TENNESSEE. 



COUNTIES. 



Anderson 

Bledsoe 

Bradley 

Blount 

Campbell 

Carter 

Claiborne 

Cocke \ 

Grainger 

Greene 

Hamilton 



Separa- 


Eepre- 


No 


No 


tion. 


sentat'n. 


Sep'n. 


Rep'n. 


97 


97 


1,278 


1,278 


197 


186 


500 


455 


507 


505 


1,882 


1,380 


418 


414 


1,766 


1,768 


59 


60 


1.000 


1,0(10 


86 


86 


1.343 


1,343 


250 


246 


1.243 


1,247 


518 


517 


1,185 


1,185 


586 


582 


1,492 


1,489 


744 


738 


2,691 


2,702 


854 


837 


1,260 


1,271 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 



533 



COUNTIES. 



Hancock 

Hawkins. . . 
Jefferson. . . 

Johnson 

Knox 

McMinn 

Marion 

Meigs 

Monroe 

Morgan 

Polk 

Scott 

Sequatchie. . 

Rhea 

Roane 

Sevier 

Sullivan . . . . 
Washington. 

Totals 



Separa- 


Repre- 


J 
, No 


tion. 


sentat'n. 


Sep'n. 


279 


278 


630 


908 


886 


1,460 


603 


597 


1,987 


111 


111 


787 


1,226 


1,214 


3,196 


904 


892 


1,144 


414 


413 


600 


481 


478 


267 


1,096 


1,089 


774 


50 


50 


630 


738 


731 


317 


19 


19 


521 


158 


151 


100 


360 


336 


203 


454 


486 


1,568 


60 


60 


1,528 


1,586 


1,576 


627 


1,023 


1,016 


1,445 


14,780 


14,601 


33,933 



No 
Eep'n. 



680 

1,463 

1,990 

786 

3,801 

1,152 

601 

368 

775 

632 

319 

531 

100 

317 

1,580 

1,538 

637 

1,444 

33,963 



MIDDLE TENNESSEE. 



COUNTIES. 



Bedford .... 

Cannon 

Cheatham . . , 

Coffee 

Davidson.. . . 

DeKalb 

Dickson 

Fentress . . . . 
Franklin . . . . 

Giles 

Grundy 

Hardin 

Hickman . . . 
Humphreys.. 

Jackson 

Lawrence.. . . 

Lewis 

Lincoln 

Macon 

Marshall 

Maury 

Montgomery 

Overton 

Robertson. . . 
Rutherford. . 

Smith 

Stewart 

Sumner 

Van Buren. . 

Warren 

Wayne 

White 

Williamson. . 
Wilson 

Totals 



Separa- 
tion. 



1,595 
1,149 

703 
1.276 
5,635 

833 
1,141 

128 
1,652 
3,458 

528 

498 
1,400 
1,043 
1,483 
1,124 

323 
2,912 

447 
1,643 
2,731 
2,631 
1,471 
3,839 
2,392 
1.249 
1,839 
6,465 

308 
1,419 

409 
1,870 
1,945 
2,329 



58,265 



Repre- 
sentat'n. 



1,544 
1,145 

697 
1,368 
5,573 

833 
1,133 

130 
1,650 
3,464 

528 

493 
1,400 
1,042 
1,480 
1,122 

216 
2,893 

446 
1,638 
2,693 
2,630 
1,471 
3,835 
2,377 
1,247 
1,889 
6,441 

808 
1,400 

861 
1,867 
1,918 
3,398 



57,858 



No 


No 


Sep'n. 


Rep'n. 


737 


737 


137 


118 


55 


59 


36 


88 


403 


441 


643 


655 


72 


75 


651 


657 





1 


11 


5 


9 


9 


1,051 


1,052 


3 


3 








714 


710 


75 


64 


14 


17 





9 


697 


697 


101 


104 


58 


78 


33 


• 39 


864 


365 


17 


13 


73 


93 


676 


675 


99 


73 


69 


83 


13 


13 


12 


15 


905 


905 


121 


121 


38 


35 


353 


361 


8,398 


8,298 



534 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



WEST TENNESSEE. 



COUNTIES. 



Benton 

Carroll 

Decatur. . . . 

Dyer 

Fayette 

Gibson 

Hardeman. . 
Haywood. . . 
Henderson. . 

Henry 

Lauderdale. 

McNairy 

Madison. . . . 

Obion 

Perry 

Shelby 

Tipton 

Weakley. , . , 

Totals 



Separa- 
tion. 



967 

310 

811 

1,364 

1,999 

1,526 

930 

801 

1,746 

763 

1,318 

2,754 

2,996 

780 

7,132 

943 

1,189 



ReprS' 
sentat'n. 



29,127 



796 

952 

293 

779 

1,364 

1,954 

1,508 

924 

790 

1,734 

759 

1,365 

2,751 

2,957 

779 

7,127 

941 

1,189 



28,962 



No 
Sep'n. 



No 
Rep'n. 



228 


226 


1,349 


1,351 


550 


537 


116 


133 


23 


23 


286 


219 


29 


50 


139 


143 


1,013 


1,013 


317 


317 


7 





586 


591 


20 


21 


64 


88 


168 


169 


5 


5 


16 


18 


1,201 


1,200 


6,117 


6,114 



MILITARY CAMPS. 



CAMPS. 



Camp Davis, Va 

Camp Duncan, Tenn.. . 

Harper's Ferry, Va 

Fort Pickens, Fla 

Fort Harris, Tenn 

Camp De Soto, Tenn.. . 
Hermitage Camp, Va. . . 

Camp Jackson, Va 

Fort Randolph, Tenn.*. 

Total 



Separa- 


Repre- 


No . 


tion. 


sentat'n. 


Sep'n. 


506 


506 


00 


111 


111 


00 


575 


575 


00 


737 


737 


00 


159 


159 


00 


15 


15 


00 


16 


16 


00 


622 


622 


00 


3,598 


3,598 


00 
00 


6,339 


6,339 



No 
Rep'n. 



00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 

00 



♦Reported. 



AGGREGATES. 



DIVISIONS. 


Separa- 
tion. 


Repre- 
sentation. 


No 
Sep'n.^ 

32,923 

8,298 
6,117 
0,000 


No 
Rep'n. 


East Tennessee 


14,780 

58,265 

29,127 

6,339 


14,60'l 

57,858 

28,962 

6,339 


32,962 


Middle Tennessee 


8,298 


West Tennessee 


6,114 


Military Camps 


0,000 






« 


108,511 
47,338 


107,760 
47,374 


47,338 


47,374 


Majorities 


61,173 


60,386 





The Confederate Congress had, May 17, anticipated the action of 
Tennessee in separating herself from the Federal Government, and had, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 535' 

before adjournment, and before the result of the election of June 8 be- 
came known, passed the following act: 

An Act to Admit the State of Tennessee into the Conpedekacy, on a Certain 

Condition. 

The State of Tennessee having adopted measures looking to an early withdrawal from 
the United States, and to becoming, in the future, a member of this Confederacy, which 
measures may not be consummated before the approaching recess of Congress; therefore. 

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact. That the State of Tennes- 
see shall be admitted a member of the Confederate States of America, upon an equal foot- 
ing with the other States, under the constitution for the provisional government of the 
same, upon the condition that the said constitution for the provisional government of 
the Confederate States shall be adopted and ratified by the properly and legally consti- 
tuted authorities of said State, and the governor of said State shall transmit to the Presi- 
dent of the Confederate States, before the reassembling of Congress after the recess 
aforesaid, an authentic copy of the proceedings touching said adoption and ratification by 
said State of said provisional constitution; upon the receipt whereof, the President, by 
proclamation, shall aunouuce the fact, whereupon and without any further proceeding 
on the part of Congress, the admission of said State of Tennessee into the Confederacy, 
under said Constitution for the provisional government of the Confederate States, shall be 
considered as complete; and the laws of. this Confederacy shall be thereby extended over 
said State as fully and completely as over the States now composing the same. 

HOWELL COBB, 
Approved May 17, 1861. President of the Congress. 

Jefferson Davis. 

The following was the provisional government of the Confederate 
States of America: Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, president; Alex- 
ander H. Stephens, of Georgia, vice-president. Cabinet Officers: Kobert 
Toombs, of Georgia, secretary of state; C. G. Memminger, of South 
Carolina, secretary of the treasury ; L. P. Walker, of Alabama, secretary 
of war ; S. B. Mallory, of Florida, secretary of navy ; J. H. Reagan, of 
Texas, postmaster-general ; J. P. Benjamin, of Louisiana, attorney- 
general. Congress: Hon. Howell Cobb, of Georgia, president; J. J. 
Hooper, of Alabama, secretary. Standing Committees: Executive De- 
partment—Stephens, Conrad, Boyce, Shorter, Brooke ; Foreign Affairs — 
Rhett, Nisbet, Perkins, Walker, Keitt; Military Affairs — Bartow, Miles, 
Sparrow, Kenan, Anderson; Naval Affairs — Conrad, Chestnut, Smith, 
Wright, Owens; Finance — Toombs, Barnwell, Kenner, Barry, McRae; 
Commerce— Memminger, Crawford, DeClouet, Morton, Curry; Judiciary 
— Clayton, Withers, Hale, Cobb, Harris; Postal — Chilton, Boyce, Hill, 
Harris, Curry; Patents — Brooke, Wilson, Lewis, Hill, Kenner; Territo- 
ries — Chestnut, Campbell, Marshall, Nisbet, Fearne; Public Lands — 
Marshall, Harris, Fearne ; Indian Affairs — Morton, Hale, Sparrow, Lewis, 
Keitt; Printing — Cobb, Harris, Miles, Chilton, Perkins; Accounts — 
Owens, Crawford, Campbell, DeClouet, Smith; Engrossment— Shorter, 
Wilson, Kenan, McEae, Bartow. 

The ratification of the governor's military appointments had no 



536 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Booner been made by the Legislature than the assignment of officers to 
their commands was officially announced. Prior to this, on the 25th of 
April, Gov. Harris had directed Gen. S. R. Anderson to proceed to 
Memphis to organize the various volunteer forces at that point and 
throughout West Tennessee. He remained at Memphis, engaged in 
active and valuable military work, until about May 3, when he trans- 
ferred the completion of the organizations there to Gen. J. L. T. Sneed 
and returned to Nashville. On the 3d of May ten companies at Nash- 
ville were mustered into the State service and became the First Tennessee 
Regiment, commanded by Col. George Maney. About the same time 
another regiment, which became the First Confederate Tennessee, was 
organized at Winchester, with Pet^r Turney, colonel. By the 5th of the 
same month 171 companies had reported themselves ready for the field 
to the adjutant-general. On the 9th of May Gov. Harris appointed his 
staff as follows: James W. McHenry, adjutant-general; David R. Smithy 
quartermaster-general; John H. Crozier, inspector-general; John V> 
Wright, first aide-de-camp; Preston Smith, second aide-de-camp;, 
Gideon J. Pillow, senior major-general, was placed in command of the 
provisional army of the State, with headquarters at Memphis. Samuel 
R. Anderson, junior major-general, was assigned to the command of the 
Department of Middle Tennessee, with headquarters at Nashville, and, 
May 14, appointed William A. Quarles and Granville P. Smith his aides- 
de-camp and W. C. Whitthorne, his assistant adjutant-general. On 
the 17th Brig. -Gen. R. C. Foster, by order of Gen. Anderson, took, 
command of the forces at Camp Cheatham, Robertson County, and about 
the same time Brig. -Gen. F. K. ZoUicoffer was assigned to the command 
of the militia at Camp Trousdale, Sumner County, and Brig. -Gen. W. R. 
Caswell to the command of the forces of East Tennessee with head- 
quarters at Knoxville. Gen. B. F. Cheatham was assigned to command 
at Union City, and Gen. John L. T. Sneed at Randolph. The military 
and financial board appointed by the governor under the army bill 
consisted of Neill S. Brown, William G. Harding and James E. Bailey. 
Gov, Harris was ex-officio a member of this board. The members were 
appointed immediately after the passage of the army bill, and soon had 
established in active working order all the military departments created 
by that instrument. Although no formal call was issued by the gover- 
nor for troops until June 21, the rapid mustering of militia for the pro- 
visional army and the concentration at important points and along the 
northern boundary of the State, were steadily, yet informally, pursued by 
virtue of the popular belief that the State was in imminent danger of 
invasion. May 19 the Nashville Pairiot stated that up to that date about 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 537 

25,000 volunteers liad been tendered the governor. On the 20th of 
May Gen. Pillow at Memphis ordered reprisals taken of Northern prop- 
erty passing that city on the river, railroads or otherwise, and required 
all vessels and shipments to be examined with the view of ascertaining 
the ownership of cargoes, etc. About May 22 Gen. Zollicoffer succeeded 
in securing, via Chattanooga, several thousand stands of arms from the 
Confederate Government. Two days later news was received at Mem- 
phis that 15,000 Federal troops were on the eve of departing down the 
river from Cairo to capture and sack the former city, which report 
occasioned great bustle and excitement. By the 25th of May about 
17,000 stands of arms had been received by the State authorities from the 
Confederate Government. Three days later several six-pound cannons, 
which had been manufactured by Ellis & Moore, Nashville, were tested 
and found serviceable. By the 29th there were encamped at Knoxville 
between twenty-five and thirty companies, and from them Col. Church- 
well's regiment had been organized. Eight or ten companies had been 
rendezvoused at Chattanooga and vicinity and were encamped there 
ready for service. Late in May the county court at Memphis appropri- 
ated $12 for the wife and $6 for each child, per month, of each volunteer 
who should enter the Confederate service. At this time Whitfield, 
Bradley & Co., of Clarksville, were making serviceable cannon. At the 
election of June 8 Tennessee troops to the number of 737 polled their 
votes for "separation" at Pensacola, Fla. 

Early in June much had been done with the means at hand, to place the 
State in an attitude of defense. Five or six batteries were posted along the 
Mississippi River, from Memphis to the Kentucky line, commanding the 
leading strategic points, and consisting of mortars, columbiads and twenty- 
four and thirty-two pounders, and were manned by a corps of ten fairly 
well organized companies of Tennessee artillery, under the command of 
Cols. J. P. McCown and M. A. Haynes. About 15,000 volunteers were 
concentrated at Memphis, Jackson and other principal points in West 
Tennessee, and were under the command of Maj.-Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, 
of the provisional army. Considerable action had been taken to pre- 
pare defenses along or near the northern boundary of the State, to be in 
readiness for any invasion from the North. The importance of construct- 
ing fortifications along the Tennessee and the Cumberland Rivers, as wqll 
as along the Mississippi, had been seriously considered, and energetic 
steps had been taken in that direction. The concentration of Federal 
forces at Cairo, 111., late in April, had aroused the apprehension of the 
authorities of the State and of the Confederate Government, that an ad- 
vance of the enemy was contemplated down the Mississippi, and doubt- 



538 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

lessly up the Tennessee and the Cumberland Rivers, It was deemed im- 
portant to have the militia in such a state of readiness that it could be 
called into the field at a moment's warning, and Gov. Harris, June 21, 
issued General Order, No. 1, to that effect. June 3 Gen. Anderson, in 
command of the Department of Middle Tennessee, called for 2,000 rifle- 
men, the companies to furnish their own rifles, and for five companies of 
cavalry, all to furnish their own double-barreled shot-guns. June 1 the 
Confederate law which prohibited the exportation of cotton, except 
through Southern ports, came into operation, and Gen. Pillow, commander 
at Memphis, ordered that none should be sent North through Tennessee 
or out of Tennessee. Pursuant to the provisions of the army bill, 
home guards were organized, and a committee of safety appointed in al- 
most every county of the State. Early in June the city authorities of 
Memphis had, at their own expense, purchased commissary, quarter- 
master and ordnance stores and armament for fortifications along tlie 
Mississippi, and an agent was appointed by the Legislature to settle with 
them for such expense. The strategic importance of the location of Mem- 
phis was early recognized by the authorities of that city, who received 
great praise for their prompt action to secure control of the Mississippi. 
Early in June a force of about 8,000 Mississippians, under the command 
of Maj.-Gen. Clark, passed northward through West Tennessee, to co- 
operate with the latter State against the threatened advance southward of 
the Federals from Cairo. 

On the 27th of June the military bill was amended. The bonds to 
be issued under the act of May 6, were exempted from taxation, and fur- 
ther an ample provision was made for the organization, equipment and 
discipline of volunteers and militia. Provision was made for the support 
of the families of such volunteers as should become insane in the service ; 
and all moneys or property owing by citizens of the State to citizens of 
any non-slave-holding State were declared non-collectable during hostil- 
ities between Tennessee and the Federal Government; that such moneys 
could be paid into the State treasury and upon the cessation of hostilities 
should be refunded with interest. It was enacted, June 27, that treasury 
notes to the amount of $3,000,000, in whole or in part, in lieu of the 
$3,000,000 of the bonds authorized to be issued under the act of May G, 
should be circulated, and that such notes should bear interest not to ex- 
ceed 6 per centum. Jnly 1, it was made lawful for the banks of the State 
to receive and pay out the treasury notes of the Confederate Government, 
and State officers were required to receive such notes in payment of 
money due the State. Banks were required to increase their circulation, 
to withold dividends due stockholders in non-slave-holding States while the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 539" 

■war continued ; and it was made unlawful to pay either interest or principal 
of the bonds of the State held by citizens in non-slave-holding States un- 
til the war should cease; or for bank officers to remove the assets of 
stockholders of non-slave-holding States from Tennessee. These provis- 
ions were deemed necessary in view of the probable future scarcity of money 
to carry on civil and military affairs. The authorities were not unmindful 
of the trials and tribulations of their Revolutionary fathers, and made care- 
ful estimates of chances to carry the State safely through the storm of war. 
June 28 it was enacted that the authorities of Giles County might assess 
and collect a tax for the manufacture of fire-arms, gunpowder and other 
munitions of Avar. June 28 the inspector of the State penitentiary was 
authorized to borrow of the State bank $10,000, to be used in the purchase 
of material for making shoes, hats and army accoutrements. June 29 it 
was "resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee that the 
governor be authorized and requested to place at the disposal of the 
Confederate States the volunteer forces of the State of Tennessee, the 
same to be mustered into the service of said states subject to the rules 
and regulations adopted by the Confederate authorities for the govern- 
ment of the Confederate Army; and that in making the arrangements 
therefore we shall have in view the placing of the defense of the State 
under the immediate control an ddirection of the President of the Con- 
federate States." 

Within a few weeks after the formation of militia companies had 
commenced, the women of the State organized in all the leading cities to 
secure contributions of all kinds of supplies for camp, field and hospital. 
By the 19th of June the society at Nashville, comprising 231 ladies, had 
collected and sent to camp 4,745 pieces of wearing apparel, etc. Organ- 
izations at Memphis had done nearly as well. During the early months 
of the war the societies were often reorganized, and the result of their la- 
bors was highly appreciated by the sweltering militia in the various hot 
and uncomfortable camps. August 12 the State Soldier's Aid Society 
was formed at Nashville, with branches throughout Middle Tennesseee. 
From that date until October 1 the society sent to the various camps 
over fifty large boxes of supplies of all descriptions, and collected in cash 
$1,834.20. Nashville, Clarksville, Franklin, Pulaski, Columbia, Mur- 
freesboro, Springfield, Harpeth and other cities donated the money and 
supplies. Mrs. F. G. Porter, of Nashville, was president of the State 
Society. A flourishing society at Memphis accomplished almost as much 
good as the one at Nashville. August 22 Gov. Harris issued a procla- 
mation to the women of the State to permanently organize for the cold 
weather, which had the happy effect of multiplying the societies in all 



540 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

directions and supplying necessities to many a poor soldier boy during 
the cold winter of 1861-62. 

On the 6th of July Gov. Harris issued a proclamation calling for 
3,000 volunteers to meet the requisition of the Confederate Government 
on the State of Tennessee. About the middle of July, pursuant to the 
offer of the Tennessee Legislature, the Confederate Government accepted 
the transfer of the provisional army of Tennessee to the Confederacy, 
and issued directions to have the troops received and mustered in. 
About this time Gens. Gideon J. Pillow, S. E. Anderson and D. S. 
Donelson were commissioned brigadier-generals in the Confederate 
States Army. July 12 Dr. S. McKissack, of Maury County, bought 
$3,000 worth of Confederate Government bonds at par, the first purchase 
made in the State. Gens. B. F. Cheatham and F. K. Zollicoffer were 
commissioned brigadier-generals of the Confederate States Army about 
the 20th of July. About this time Gen. S. R. Anderson succeeded Gen. 
Caswell in command of the Confederate forces in East Tennessee. Col. 
Jo Pickett was his chief of staff. The following is the report of the 
military and financial board to Gov. Harris, bearing date July 18, 1861: 

Quartermaster-general's department $918,775 94 

Commissary-general's department 522,456 03 

Paymaster-general's department 399,600 00 

Medical department 8,500 00 

Ordnance department 362,045 91 

Contingencies 12,513 03 

Total $2,223,890 91 

July 26 Gen. Pillow left Memphis with part of the troops designed 
for the contemplated campaign northward, moving to Randolph, thence 
to New Madrid, Mo., where he was joined by Gen. Cheatham with a 
force from Union City. On the 31st of July Gov, Harris issued a gen- 
eral order that the officers of the provisional army should muster their 
command for the inspection of representative military men of the Con- 
federacy authorized to effect the transfer of the troops, and should pre- 
pare revised rolls of their companies and regiments to be handed to the 
Confederate inspector, which acts would operate as a transfer of the 
State forces to the Southern army. By the 7th of August the transfer 
was completed. This almost stripped the State of its defensive army, 
whereupon Gov. Harris issued a call for 30,000 volunteers to serve as a 
"Reserve Corps of Tennessee." On the 1st of August the State voted 
on the question of the adoption of the permanent constitution of the 
Confederacy and gave a majority of about 30,000 in its favor. Col. 
Heiman commanding the troops at Fort Henry on the Tennessee, issued 
an order to seize all property of the North passing down the river. Au- 



BATTLE OF 



SH ILOH, 

April 6, j862. 




HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 541 

gust 1 Gov. Harris was re-elected over liis Union competitor, W. H. 
Polk, of East Tennessee, by a majority of about 30,000. August 22 
Gen. Foster, who had succeeded Gen. Anderson in command of the post 
at Nashville, ordered that thereafter no person would be permitted to 
leave Tennessee without a passport. About this time there were several 
bloody encounters in East Tennessee between Federal and Confederate 
residents. About the middle of September Gen. Foster resigned his 
command at Nashville. At this time, also, the Confederate Government 
called upon Tennessee for 30,000 volunteers. 

During the summer and autumn of 1861 great advancement was 
made in mustering regiments for the field and in preparing arms, ord- 
nance and equipments. By the 17th of July the factories at Nashville 
were manufacturing 100,000 percussion caps daily, and two foundries 
at Memphis were molding strong and serviceable cannons. A little later 
muskets and cannons, shot and shell, saddles and harness, knapsacks, etc., 
were manufactured in considerable quantity at Nashville. There were 
cannon factories at Memphis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Lebanon, Pulas- 
ki, Shelbyville, Franklin and elsewhere, and small-arm factories on a 
limited scale were scattered throughout the State. The Governor's mes- 
sage to the Legislature October 7, 1861, summed up the military record 
of the State: In about two months 30,000 volunteers had been placed 
on the field, many having been declined; the provisional army had been 
transferred, July 31, to the Confederacy; a total of thirty-eight regiments 
of infantry, seven battalions of cavalTy and sixteen artillery companies 
had been raised; all supplies necessary had been furnished by the "Mili- 
tary and Financial Board," despite the blockade of the Southern ports 
and the almost utter lack of sources of supplies at home; factories had 
been so encouraged that by the 1st of October 250 guns were made weekly 
in the State and 1,300,000 percussion caps; and lead and powder com- 
panies, particularly the latter, had done a creditable part in preparing the 
State for war. The Governor submitted the following report of military 
expenses prior to October 1 : 

Quartermaster-general's department $1,657,706 65 

Commissary-general's department. . . . , 627,064 87 

Paymaster-general's department 1,104,800 00 

Medical department 24,761 21 

Ordnance department 990,291 20 

Recruiting service 723 25 

Advance on gun, saltpeter and powder contracts, etc 456,826 08 

Advance to Gen. Pillow for the Missouri campaign 200,000 00 

Contingent expense 31,850 59 

Total $5,094,023 85 

34 



" HISTOEY OF TE.NKESSEH 



All army supplies had been transferred to the Confederate Govern- 
ment, which assumed the payment of all Tennessee military obligations 
ftoperty had depreciated to such an extent as to make it appear neces- 
sary to raise the rate of taxation, which was accordingly done In No- 
vember strong Union forces began to concentrate at Elizabethton, near 
Bristol, and at Strawberry Plains in East Tennessee, and several skir- 
mishes occurred On the 19th of November the Governor issued a procla- 

J^,nst r 7r\ '" "'P™'" ^ "'^ '•"1™^' °f ««"• Albert Sidney 
Johnston Confederate commander of the Department of Tennessee, whose 
leacquartei-s were at Memphis, and whose clear discernment of st;ate.ic 
ait detected the coming advance of the Federals down the Mississippi 
and up the Tennessee and the Cumberland Rivers. At this time Jit 
difficulty was experienced by the Confederate Government in furnishin.. 

been 3 1 7T-- ^'"^ *^°™™"' "^°"S'^ I'^^-'^- »-«°- hal 
inX N *'?"<' ''""^P^^^'We to arm the "Reserve Corps," and accord- 
ngly November 2, issued an appeal to the citizens of the State to de- 
liver to their county clerks "every effective double-barreled shot-gun and 
sporting rifle which they may have, to be immediately shippel to the 
ai-senal at Nashville, Knoxville or Memphis, where the same will be val- 
ued by a competent ordnance officer and the value paid to the owner by 

portant 1 f ^°™™""^"^ I "g« y- to give me your aid in the im- 
portant work of arming our troops, with which we can repel the inva- 
ders,- but If you refuse prepare to take the field, for I am resolved to ex- 
haust all resources before the foot of the invader shall pollute the soil of 
Tennessee. But although almost every citizen possessed a fire-arm of 
some kind, many hesitated, in view of probable personal needs of defense at 
home withm a short time, to transfer their guns,and large numbers did not 
During the summer and autumn of 1861 it became apparent to ob- 
servant Tennes.seeaus that should the State be invaded by the Federal 
Army the advance would come via the Mississippi, or the Tennessee and 
Cumberland Rivers, or south from Louisville. Ky., toward Nashville, or 
through Cumberland Gap into East Tennessee. To be in readiness to 
repel these advances masses of the provisional army were concentrated 
at Memphis, Randolph, Union City and elsewhere in West Tennessee- 
^orts Henry and Donelson were constructed on the Tennessee and the 
Cumberland Rivers in Stewart County, and could be garrisoned, if neces- 
sary, on short notice by large forces of infantry, and several regiments 
werestahonedat or near Clarksville; a few thousand troops ^ere lo- 
cated at Camp Cheatham, in Robertson County, and at Camp Trousdale 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. ^43 



in Sumner County, to guard the approaches from Louisville or Cincin- 
nati to Nashville and Middle Tennessee; and a considerable force was 
concentrated at Knoxville to guard Cumberland Gap or other routes that 
might pour the enemy upon East Tennessee, and to bind that portion of 
the State, which had strong Federal following, to the cause of the South. 
Ma j. -Gen. G. J. Pillow, at Memphis, commanded the provisional army 
of the State, with Maj.-Gen. S. K Anderson second in command at Nash- 
ville Bri«-.-Gen. B. F. Cheatham was stationed at Union City; Brig.- 
Gen. John L. T. Sneed at Randolph; Brig. -Gen. R. C. Foster at Camp 
Cheatham; Brig. -Gen. Felix K. ZoUicoffer and later, senior Col. John 
C Brown,'at cLp Trousdale, and Brig. -Gen. W. R. Caswell and later, 
Gen. S. R. Anderson at Knoxville. Later, Gen. ZoUicoffer assumed com- 
mand at Knoxville and Gen. Foster at Nashville. 

The State seceded June 8, 1861, and as soon as the returns estab- 
lished the fact of secession beyond doubt, Gov. Harris, although he did 
not formally transfer the army to the Confederacy until July 31, na 
lono-er hesitated to place the forces of the State under the command of 
officers appointed by the Confederate Government. July 13, under 
appointment of President Davis, Maj.-Gen. Leonidas Polk took com- 
mand of the forces along the Mississippi, with headquarters at Mem- 
phis About the same time Gideon J. Pillow, Samuel R. Anderson and 
Daniel S. Donelson, and a few days later B. F. Cheatham and F. K Zol- 
licoffer were commissioned brigadier-generals of the Confederate Army. 
Gens Pillow and Cheatham were assigned to commands m West Tennes- 
see Gen ZoUicoffer in East Tennessee, and Gen. Anderson was trans- 
ferred to the field in Virginia. On July 26 Gen. Pillow, under ordei^ from 
Gen Polk, moved north fi^om Memphis to Randolph with a considerable 
force, and a few days later advanced to New Madrid and was joined by 
Gen Cheatham from Union City with additional troops. About Septem- 
ber 1 it was communicated to Gen Polk that Gen. Grant^ with a large 
bodv of troops at Cairo, intended an advance upon Columbus and other 
points; whereupon, September 7, he moved a large force, soon afterward 
increased to nearly 10,000 men, and occupied that city and vicinity This 
movement met with a prompt demand from Gov. Magoffin o Kentucky 
for the immediate removal of the Tennessee troops, to which Gen. Polk 
responded agreeing to do so provided the Bame requirement was placed 
upon the Fe^leral troops which, under Gen. Smith Sep ember 6, had oc- 
cupied Paducah and advanced under Gens. Grant, /l-rman McCook 
Thomas and others far into Kentucky. Th.s reply of Gei. ^ol^ -eU^ 
approval of the Confederate Congress, and was sustained by Gen. Albert 
^Ly Johnston, who, upon the earnest reques. of Gen. Polk, was ap- 



544' HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

pointed, September 10, to succeed him in command of Department No. 2. 
The demand to withdraw was also made upon Gen. ZollicofPer, who, Sep- 
tember 10, had advanced five or sis regiments across the line to Cumber- 
land Ford, in Kentucky, or on the way, and who, with Gen. Polk, had pro- 
tested against compliance until the Federal forces, advancing across Ken- 
tucky, should likewise be withdrawn. The South respected the declared 
neutrality of Kentucky until bodies of Federal troops were permitted to 
concentrate within her borders with the manifest intention of invading 
Tennessee and the territory farther south ; but when it became certain 
that such neutrality was working serious injury to the cause of the South, 
the State having been occupied from east to west by rapidly accumulat- 
ing Federal forces, the demands of Gov. Magofiin were rightly dis- 
regarded, and the Confederate troops were not withdrawn. Soon the ru- 
mors of war became so alarming that all consideration of the neutrality 
question was voluntarily abandoned. On September 18, Gen. S. B. Buck- 
ner with 4,500 troops took possession of Bowling Green, Ky., and im- 
mediately sent forward a force of 500 to occupy Munfordville. On Oc- 
tober 11 Maj.-Gen. William J. Hardee assumed command of the force at 
Bowling Green, which, by October 19, had been increased to 9,956 men. 
Brig. -Gen. Lloyd Tilghman was placed in command of a small force at 
Hopkinsville, Ky. 

The army of Gen. ZollicofPer, comprising from four to six regiments, 
(two from Tennessee, but varying greatly from time to time), encoun- 
tered dm-ing its advance into Kentucky in September small bands of 
Federals, with whom light skirmishing was held with some loss. On 
the 21st of October, at Rockcastle Hills, Ky., 350 Federal troops were 
found strongly intrenched in an almost inaccessible position. Two 
Tennessee regiments, under Cols. Newman and Cummings, were ordered 
to assault, which they did with great gallantry; but the enemy having 
been re-enforced by 250 men and soon afterward by four more companies, 
the Confederate troops were repulsed with a loss of 11 killed and 42 
wounded, after having inflicted upon the enemy a loss of 4 killed, 18 
wounded and 21 captured. An attack by night upon the Federal posi- 
tion was repulsed, owing to heavy re-enforcements which, without the 
knowledge of the Confederates, had joined the enemy. Gen. ZollicofPer 
slowly fell back before the superior force before him to Camp Buckner, 
at Cumberland Ford. He finally moved back and established his head-' 
quarters at Jacksborough, taking care to blockade the mountain roads 
approaching Knoxville or East Tennessee, and to post at Cumberland 
Gap, under Col. Churchwell, a force sufficient to hold it against great 
opposition. He also placed sufficient troops at Knoxville, under Col. W. 



HISTOEY or TENNESSEE. 545 

B. Wood, to repel any probable movement upon that city by the Union- 
ists of East Tennessee or by an invasion from abroad. For some time 
after this the perilous position of Gen. ZoUicoffer was well understood by 
Gen. Johnston and the Confederate Government. Advancing steadily 
upon East Tennessee from Louisville, under the immediate command of 
Gen. Thomas, were twice or thrice as many troops, better armed and 
equipped than Gen. ZoUicoffer commanded; and northeast of Knoxville, 
in East Tennessee, concentrating at several important strategic points 
were from 2,000 to 5,000 resident Unionists, thoroughly familiar with 
the country, well armed and resolute. Accordingly, great efforts were 
made to materially increase the size of this army and to furnish it with 
effective arms. 

On the 25th of October Col. R. D. Allison, with about half of the 
Twenty-fourth Tennessee Regiment and a squadron of cavalry, moved 
out of Cave City, Ky., and routed a few hundred of the enemy twenty- 
five miles distant. Considerable skirmishing occurred about this time 
north of Bowling Green, Ky. Many valuable railroad bridges were 
burned in East Tennessee. Late in October great anxiety was felt at 
Clarksville, Nashville and other points along the Cumberland, that, inas- 
much as only the incomplete Fort Donelson, near Dover, was prepared 
to oppose the advance of the enemy by water. Federal gun-boats could 
move up the river with impunity and reduce all the cities within reach 
of their guns. November 4 Gen. Johnston ordered Gen, Polk at Colum- 
bus to detach 5,000 troops from that point under Gen. Pillow, with orders 
to move at once to Clarksville. Ere long Fort Donelson was strongly 
equipped with suitable ordnance. November 3 Gen. Johnston requested 
Gov. Harris to so far annul liis call for 30,000 twelve-months' men, 
except such as were efficiently armed, as to have all troops in camp with- 
out arms and who would not volunteer for three years or during the war, 
disbanded and sent home, to which Gov. Harris protested, owing to the 
demoralizing effect such an order would have upon volunteering. Gen. 
Johnston accordingly reconsidered tlie matter and modified his request 
by granting fifteen days to complete the arming of the volunteers, but 
soon afterward revoked this and the former order. About 9 o'clock on 
the morning of the 7th of November a small force under Col. Tappan, 
which had been stationed across the river from Columbus, Ky., by Gen. 
Polk to check the inroad of Federal cavalry, was attacked at Belmont, 
Mo., by 3,114 men under Gen. Grant; but being re-enforced by three 
regiments under Gen. Pillow, checked the rapid advance of the enemy 
somewhat and gradually fell back, fighting gallantly and desperately 
against superior numbers until re-enforced by three more regiments under 



546 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 



Gen. Cheatham, when, after a furious contest, the enemy was forced 
back but recovered, and was forced back again and routed, barely escap- 
ing capture by a flank movement of two other regiments under the im- 
mediate command of Gen. Polk.* The Confederate troops actually 
engaged were about equal numerically to those of the Federals, but were 
divided by the river. Large quantities of field supplies, cast aside and 
abandoned by the flying enemy, fell into the hands of the victors. The 
battle was characterized by hot and desperate charges and counter- 
charges on both sides. The enemy escajDed to his boats. Beltzhoover's 
battery, fought over, lost and recaptured, was used with splendid effect. 

On the 6th of November Gen. Polk tendered his resignation, which 
President Davis refused to accept, giving reasons sufficient to induce 
Gen. Polk to remain in the service. November 16 his army num- 
bered 13,866. About the middle of November Col. Forrest, with six 
companies of cavalry, was ordered forward to Hopkinsville, Ky. At 
this time Gen. Tilghman was transferred to the command of Forts Hen- 
ry and Donelson. So imminent became the danger of an invasion of Ten- 
nessee at this period that Gen. Pillow made urgent appeals for reenforce- 
ments, and Gen. Johnston requested Gov. Harris to place in the field 
every member of the militia that could be armed, and the Confederate 
Secretary of War autliorized Gen. Johnston to call out every armed man 
he could get from Mississippi, northern Alabama and Kentucky. Late 
in November Gen. Zollicoffer with his army moved into Kentucky again, 
and established himself at Mill Springs and Beech Grove. About the 
middle of December Maj. Gen. G. B. Crittenden assumed command of 
the eastern district, with headquarters at Knoxville. 

The following is the consolidated report of the armies of Gens. Hardee 
and Zollicoffer, officially prepared December 31, 1861.f 





Present for Duty. 


Aggregate 
Present. 


S a" 




Infantry. 


Cavalry. 


Ar 


;illery. 


Aggregate Pr 
ent and Abse 




o 

o 


1 




a 

s ■ 


o 


P\ 


Hardee's Division 

Buckner's Division 


412 
407 
303 
145 
53 
17 
238 


5537 
5972 
3493 
1617 
1164 
257 
4515 


53 
53 


544 
655 


19 
37 


395 

688 


6959 
7813 
3696 
2395 
1317 
274 
6154 


11429 
11761 


Bowcu's Division 


4806 


Clarl^'s Brio;ade 


38 


495 






3550 


Davis' Brigadef 






1636 


Misoellaueous 








615 


ZoUicoUer's Division 


70 


1095 


10 


226 


8451 






Totals 


1475 


22555 


213 


2789 


66 


1309 


28407 


42248 







*War of the Rebellion ; Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Reports of Gens. Polk 
and Grant. 

+0n the 7th of .Tanuary, 1SC2, Gen. Leonidas Polk's report showed 809 officers and 11, 161 men present 
for duty; aggregate present, 12,030; aggregate present and absent, 18,675, fSixty days' Volunteers. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 547 

On the evening o£ January 18, 1862, Gen. Crittenden witli about 4,000 
effective troops was at Beech Grove, Ky., on the Cumberland River, oppo- 
site Mill Springs. Having held a council of war with Gens. Zollicoffer and 
Carroll and his regimental commanders, whereby it appeared that two 
large Union forces, one at Somerset, and the other at or near WebVs 
Cross Roads, under Gen. G. H. Thomas, were intending to unite and to- 
gether attack the Confederate forces, and whereby it appeared that, owing 
to heavy rains, Fishing Creek dividing the two forces could not be 
crossed in less than two days, the council therefore determined without 
dissent to attack Gen. Thomas early the next morning and, if possible, 
annihilate him, a*nd then fall upon the other Federal force approaching 
from Somerset and also effect its ruin. Accordingly about midnight 
the forward movement was commenced. After a rapid march of nine 
miles the enemy was encountered in force about 7 o'clock on the morn- 
ing of the 19th and the battle sharply commenced. Gen. Zollicoffer fell 
dead upon the field quite early in the action. The gallant Confederates, 
poorly armed and handled, though fighting stubbornly and holding their 
ground for several hours, were finally driven back by superior numbers 
and severely defeated, the defeat ending in much of a rout. Their loss 
was 125 killed, * 309 wounded and 99 missing. They retreated 
to Gainesborough and then to Camp Fogg, in Tennessee. The Seven- 
teenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-eighth, and Twenty- 
ninth Tennessee Regiments participated in this engagement. About 
noon on the 6th of February, 1862, Fort Henry on the Tennessee, with 
an armament of sixteen guns and a garrison of 2,985 men,* commanded 
by Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, was invested by seven Federal gun-boats 
carrying fifty-five guns and an overwhelming force of infantry, all under 
Gen. Grant, and in a few hours was surrendered. The Confederate forces 
escaped to Fort Donelson, except about eighty who were surrendered 
with Gen. Tilghman and the fort. It was clearly evident at this time 
that the enemy was advancing all along the line east and west across 
Kentucky with far superior forces, and as soon as Fort Henry fell, Gen. 
Johnston, at Bowling Green, perceived that should Fort Donelson also 
fall, his position would become at once untenable, and the Confederate 
line would have to be established somewhere south of Nashville, as the 
Federal gun-boats would have no difficulty in capturing Clarksville, Nash- 
ville and other points along the rivers Cumberland and Tennessee. As 
it seemed evident, owing to the superior forces of the Federals, that Fort 
Donelson would fall sooner or later, Gen. Hardee, with his forces at 
Bowling Green, was ordered to move south to Nashville and cross the 

*Official Report of Col. A. Heiman. 



U8 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



river. At this time there was intense excitement at Clarksville and 
Nashville. The enemy had entered the State and Tennessee was sure to 
become a battle-ground. The Tennessee regiments at Fort Henry were 
the Tenth, Forty-eighth and Fifty-first, and Gantt's battalion of cav- 
ahy and several small miscellaneous commands, including the batteries. 
As soon as possible after the fall of Fort Henry, re-enforcements were 
hurried to Fort Donelson. Late on tlie 12th of February a large infan- 
try force of Federals, assisted by six gun-boats, appeared befor^the fort 
and the next morning began a combined attack. Ee-enforcements arrived 
under Gen. Floyd all infantry attacks of the 13th were handsomely re- 
pulsed. The gun-boats effected no serious damage upon the fort. It 
turned cold, and intense suffering resulted to the wearied troops. On 
the afternoon of the 14th the gun-boats were defeated, several disabled 
and all driven away without injury to the fort. Sharp skirmishes 
occurred between the infantry, and heavy re-enforcements of the enemy 
were extended, having in view the complete investment of tlie fort. 
Early on the 15th Gen. Pillow, in force, on the left, attacked the enemy's 
right with great fury, driving it slowly from the field. A sharp at- 
tack on the right was re-enforced by Gen. B. E. Johnson, and gen- 
erally the whole Federal line was driven back after stubborn resist- 
ance, but rallied upon being heavily re-enforced, and with artillery re- 
newed the attack. The Confederates took the defensive aud fell back to 
their lines. Heavy masses of the Federals threw themselves upon 
the riglit flank, encountering desperate resistance, and finally effected a 
lodgment which could not be moved. Night closed the bloody day. A 
council of Gens. Pillow, Floyd, Buckner, Johnson, cf al, decided to sur- 
render early the next morning. The command was transferred to Gen. 
Buckner, who surrendered the next morning nearly 15,000 troops. Gens. 
Pillow and Floyd and their escort, and Gen. Forrest and his cavJlry es- 
caping. This was a serious loss to the Confederacy and an unnecessary 
one. The result was a total abandonment of the Confederate line and the 
establishment of an irregular new one, extending from Columbus, Ky., 
south through West Tennessee to northern Mississippi; thence to north- 
ern Alabama, and thence to northeast Tennessee. Nashville was aban- 
doned by the troops, the Governor and many others retreating south with 
the army of Gen. Johnston. Clarksville and Nashville were in a fever of 
fear and excitement. The large Federal Army moved forward and suc- 
cessively took possession of those two cities and others farther south in 
Middle Tennessee, and the Federal line was correspondingly advanced 
tliroughout the State. At Murfreesboro Gen. Johnston, with about 11,- 
000 men, was joined by Gen. Crittenden, and the fugitives from Donel- 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 549 

son aud other miscellaneous forces, and an army of about 17,000 men 
was formed capable of offering battle. Gen. Floyd, with 2,500 troops, 
was sent to Chattanooga. Columbus, Ky., was evacuated March 4, that 
army moving south to Jackson. Gen. Johnston moved to Decatur, Ala., 
thence to Corinth, Miss., where, after great exertion, and with the assist- 
ance of Gen. Beauregard, he succeeded in organizing a strong army of 
about 50,000 men. The Confederate line at this time extended from 
New Madrid, Mo., to Island No. 10; thence to Humboldt, Tenn. ; thence 
to Corinth, Miss. ; thence along the Memphis & Charleston Eailroad to 
East Tennessee. 

On the 19th of February Commodore A. H. Foote, of the United 
States Navy, reached Clarksville with the gun-boats Conestoga and Cairo 
meeting with no resistance from the small forts in that vicinity, and, 
after issuing a proclamation, at the instance of Hon. Cave Johnson, 
Judge Wisdom, the mayor and others, announcing his intention to re- 
spect the private rights of all citizens peacefully disposed who should 
not parade their hostile sentiments, and to take possession of all military 
supplies and stores, none of which must be destroyed, took military posses- 
sion of the city. Gen. Grant arrived on the 21st. On the 19th Gov. Har- 
ris issued a proclamation calling out the entire effective military force of 
the State. He had left Nashville accompanied by the other State officers to 
save the public archives and property, and to establish a temporary capi- 
tal within the Confederate lines. He moved to Memphis, but soon after- 
ward personally took the field. On the 20th, at Memphis, having con- 
vened the Legislature, he gave in his message his reasons for the tempo- 
rary removal of the seat of government, the archives and the State prop- 
erty from Nashville. The defeat of Crittenden at Fishing Creek had 
flanked Gen. Johnston's line of defense, and no opposing force was left 
to prevent the army of Gen. Buell from moving upon the capital. The 
fall of Fort Henry opened the Tennessee up to Alabama to the enemy, 
and the fall of Fort Donelson left Nashville an easy prey for the large 
army of Gen. Grant, which was sure to move upon it within a few days, 
Gen. Johnston, with the small force left him, being utterly unable to hold 
the place. He announced that since the act of May 6, 1861, he had 
raised, organized and put into the field fifty-nine regiments of infantry, 
one regiment of cavalry, eleven cavalry battalions, and over twenty inde- 
pendent companies, mostly artillery. Of these the Confederate Govern- 
mant had armed only about 15,000. The Governor advised the passage 
of a bill raising, arming and equipping a provisional army of volun- 
teers. On the 24th of February Gen. Buell and his advance, Mitchell's 
division, arrived at Edgefield, and in the evening were waited upon by 



550 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the mayor and city authorities of Nashville, to whom assurance o£ per- 
sonal safety and uninterrupted business relations were given. On the 
morning of February 25 seven gun-boats, bearing a considerable force of 
Federal troops under Brig. -Gen. Nelson, reached Nashville, landed with- 
out opposition and took possession of the city. News of the surrender 
of Fort Donelson had reached Nashville Sunday morning, February 17, 
when the citizens were anticipating reports of a great victory. Scores 
immediately started for the south; the bridges across the Cumberland 
were destroyed, the military stores were thrown open to the populace, 
and panic and chaos for a time reigned. A similar state of affairs had 
transpired at Clarksville. Time quieted the aj)prehensions of the citi- 
zens, though the Federal troops saw few smiling faces. On the 5th of 
March Gen. G. T. Beauregard assumed command of the Army of the 
Mississippi, with headquarters at Jackson, Tenn. February 24 Gen. J. 
K. Jackson was placed in command of the forces at Chattanooga. About 
this time, or soon afterward. Gen. E. K. Smith was assigned to the com- 
mand of the Confederate forces of East Tennessee, with headquarters at 
Knoxville. 

After the fall of Donelson and the evacuation of Middle Tennessee, 
the Confederate Army concentrated along the railroad from luka to 
Corinth and from Corinth to Bethel, and hurriedly organized, being re- 
enforced by two divisions from Gen. Polk's command at Columbus, and 
later by the remainder of the corps, and an entire corps from Alabama 
and Mississippi under Gen. Bragg. Thus re-enforced and equipped 
under Gens. Johnston and Beauregard, two of the ablest generals of the 
war, this magnificent army of heroes (about 00,000 strong) prepared to 
take the offensive. The army of Gen. Grant had concentrated at Pitts- 
burgh Landing on the Tennessee, and Buell from Nashville was hasten- 
ing to re-enforce him. Gen. Johnston determined, if possible, to crush 
Grant before the arrival of Buell. The advance began on the 3d of 
April, but, owing to severe rainstorms, the heavy roads and the inexperi- 
ence of the troops in marching, did not reach the enemy, as was hoped 
and expected, on the morning of the 5th, and not until late in the after- 
noon. It was then determined to wait until the following (Sunday) 
morning to begin the attack. The army was divided into four corps : 
The first under Gen. Polk on the left ; the second under Gen. Bragg in the 
center; the third, under Gen. Hardee on the right; and the reserve corps, 
under Gen. J. C. Breckinridge — a total of about 40,000 effective troops.* 
The attack began at daylight on the morning of the 6th, with all the fury 
of that fine army, burning with a desire to retrieve the losses of Henry 

*Gen. Johnstoa telegraphed President Davis that the army consisted of about 40,000 effective men. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 551 

and Donelson. The enemy was completely surprised as regards a gen- 
eral attack, and this fact, combined with the furious impetuosity of the 
onset under skillful and competent leaders, awarded success to the Con- 
federate arms in every part of the field. The enemy, though surprised, 
rallied, and with some exceptions fought with wonderful stubbornness ; 
but the Confederate dash, intrepidity and rapid and adroit maneuvers on 
the field were irresistible. Large numbers of the enemy fled panic 
stricken 'back to the river. After ten hours of desperate fighting every 
encampment of the enemy was in possession of the Confederate forces. 
But one position had been held, that at the "Hornet's Nest" by Gen. 
Prentiss, and that had been surrounded, and the entire division with its 
commander captured. It was a splendid victory, corresponding with the 
genius of the General who conceived and inspired it ; but in the moment 
of victory, late in the afternoon, this illustrious soldier was severely 
wounded, from the effects of which he soon died. His great worth was 
fully appreciated and his loss bitterly lamented by the entire South. 
The battle raged on until night closed the bloody scene. The victory 
was emphatic, but it remained for short, sharp work on the morrow to 
seal it with certainty. No sooner had the death of Gen. Johnston, which 
occurred about the middle of the afternoon, been announced to the strug- 
gling troops, than involuntarily a dispiriting check was thrown upon the 
entire army. Gen. Beauregard who immediately assumed command, was 
known to have not only opposed the attack from the start, but to have 
counseled withdrawal late on the night of the 5th. This fact produced 
the impression that the new commander- would alter the tactics of the 
advance, if he did not absolutely order it checked, and accordingly, in 
doubt as to what was to be done, the victorious army throughout its entire 
length experienced a severe paralytic stroke, and hesitated for about an 
hour, until orders came from Gen. Beauregard to continue the attack. 
But the impression of the doubtful designs of the commander still pre- 
vailed, and served to unnerve the onset, and accordingly the headlong 
attack which had characterized the Confederate advance during the day 
and was designed to assure the victorious results within reach, was per- 
mitted to langruish until too late to be remedied. The demoralized Fed- 
erals were allowed to retire unmolested and to form a new line, while the 
exhausted Confederates also fell somewhat back, and spent the night in 
the abandoned camps of the enemy. During the night the enemy was 
heavily re-enforced, and on the following morning, instead of meeting the 
demoralized army of Gen. Grant, the weary, but elated Confederates en- 
countered the fresh and powerful troops of Gen. Buell, and although 
desperate efforts were made to complete the victory, it was found impos- 



552 msTOEY OF Tennessee. 

sible before superior numbers of fresh troops, and the army slowly fell 
back and finally moved to Corinth. The entire loss of the Confederate 
Army in this engagement, was 1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded, and 959 
missing.* The loss of the enemy was 1,700 killed, 7,495 wounded, and 
3,022 captured, f The effective force of the Confederates was nearly 
40,000 men,;|: while that of the Federals, not counting the army of Gen. 
Buell, probably slightly exceeded that number. 

About the middle of March, 1862, Andrew Johnson, who had been 
appointed military governor of Tennessee by President Lincoln, reached 
Nashville and issued an address to the people of the State, and took 
charge of the State property. From this date forward there was a con- 
stant conflict between the two governments of Govs. Harris and Johnson. 
Harris did everything possible for the cause of the South, and Johnson 
everything possible for the cause of the North. Despite the presence of 
troops in all portions of the State of either the Federal or Confederate 
Governments, recruiting continued for both armies. Skirmishes oc- 
curred almost daily in some portion of the State between citizens, organ- 
ized or unorganized, or between small squads of either army stationed to 
guard railroads, supplies or important points. The citizens. Confeder- 
ate or Federal, were forced through three long, dreary and memora- 
ble years to realize the horrors of the uninterrupted presence of an 
armed and powerful force of soldiery, who often took advantage of their 
power to riot and rob, and to menace and maltreat inoffensive non-com- 
batants endeavoring to make a living by the arts of peace. Under the 
conscript law twelve-months' organizations were perpetuated. This 
worked great hardship upon many volunteers and kindled no little dis- 
content, which time alone quenched. 

On the 14th of March, 1862, nearly two companies of the First East 
Tennessee (Confederate) Cavalry, stationed at Jacksborough, were sur- 
prised through the treachery of Union residents and captured by a regi- 
ment of Federal troops, which had rapidly crossed the Cumberland 
Mountains. On the 19th of June, after a spirited and stubborn resistance 
against numerous attacks tlirougli several weeks. Col. J. E. Rains Avas 
forced to evacuate Cumberland Gap. January 21, 1862, his force at the 
Gap consisted of seventy-four officers and 1,523 men present and fit for 
duty. On the 11th of April Huntsville, Ala., was captured by Gen. O. 
M. Mitchell, who moved there from Murfreesboro, via Shelbyville and 
Fayetteville, under the order of Gen. Buell, with about 5,000 men. This 

*Official_report of Gen. Reauregard, April 11, 1862. 

tOfficial' report of the War Department. 

JThe official report prepared under Gen. Beauregard's orders, April 21, showed a total effective 
strength of 35,953 infantry and artillery and 4,382 cavalry or a total of 40,335. The official report of this battle 
prepared by Gen. Bragg in June, showed an efl'ective strength of 33,270 infantry, 1,857 artillery, and 1,884 
cavalry; total, 37,011. Another account shows 38,773 effective troops. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 553 

movement, menacing Chattanooga, the rear of the army at Corinth and 
the heart o£ the Confederacy, found only two regiments at Chattanooga ; 
and orders were issued by Gen. Beauregard upon Pemberton's command 
for six regiments to move to that point at once. The enemy seized Stev- 
enson, Decatur and Bridgeport, and menaced the right flank of John- 
ston's army at Corinth. At this time Brig-Gen. Danville Leadbetter 
commanded the forces in and around Chattanooga. 

During the month of May the Confederate Army quietly held its 
position at Corinth until a general attack seemed imminent, when it 
silently evacuated the place. Several sharp conflicts occurred during 
the siege. Owing to the unhealthf ulness of the locality, the impurity of 
the water and the bad food and inaction, an army which had been in- 
creased to a total effective strength of 112,092 was reduced to 52,706 
upon its arrival at Tupelo, to which point it retreated. The Army of the 
West, under Gen. Earl Van Dorn, with a total effective strength of 17,- 
000, had been added to the Army of the Mississippi. So great was the 
reduction in effective strength that a court of inquiry was appointed by 
the Confederate Government to investigate and report upon the conduct 
of the quarter-master's department of the army, but that department 
was exonerated from all blame. Late in June, 1862, Gen. Braxton Bragg 
succeeded Gen. Beauregard in command of the army. Island No. 10, on 
the Mississippi, fell April 7-8. On the 4th of June, Fort Pillow on the 
Mississippi, twelve miles above Randolph, was evacuated, and Bandolph 
fell soon afterward. Memphis also, after a sharp resistance, was compelled 
to surrender to the enemy on the 6th. To' the demand to surrender. Mayor 
John Park responded, "In reply I have only to say that as the civil 
authorities have no means of defense, by the force of circumstances the 
city is in your hands." The Confederate loss here was 82 killed and 
wounded, 75 prisoners, and 4 gun-boats sunk. The fall of the city 
was a most serious loss to the South, as it opened the way to Yicks- 
burg. Jackson was occupied by the enemy June 7. Strong movements 
were made against Chattanooga by Mitchell's army. July 13 Murfrees- 
boro was recaptured from the enemy by Gen. Forrest. He captured 800 
prisoners. 

On the 12th of May a Union convention was held at Nashville, when 
action Avas perfected to extend the civil authority of the Federal Govern- 
ment over the State. Tazewell in East Tennessee was taken by the 
enemy after a sharp battle on the 5th and 6th of August. Soon after 
this, about August 19, Clarksville was recaptured by Col. Woodward, of 
the Confederate Army, but in September again fell into the enemy's 
hands. Numerous small engagements occurred throughout the State, 



554 IIISTOIIY OF TENNESSEE. 

with varying successes. Mucli of the State was reoccupied by Confed- 
erate forces, which were recruited within the Federal lines and which 
preyed upon the garrisons left to hold the leading localities. Forrest 
became famous as a daring and remarkably successful cavalry com- 
mander and raider. He destroyed enormous amounts of Federal stores, 
captured thousands of the enemy, and constantly recruited for the Con- 
federate Army and particularly his own command. Guerrillas without 
any constituted authority preyed upon Federal or Confederate stores, and 
in many instances committed acts not justified even by the bloody code 
of war. This rendered residence in the State humiliating and danger- 
ous, particularly to women without protectors. 

After a short time spent at Tupelo in resting, recruiting and refitting 
Gen. Bragg moved with his fine army to Chattanooga, outmarching Gen. 
Buell, who had apparently started for the same point. Buell returned 
with his army to Nashville, and Grant assumed command of the Federal 
forces around Corinth. Bragg now determined to take the offensive and 
invade Kentucky, expecting by this strategy to either force Buell out of 
Tennessee or to capture Louisville and possibly invade Indiana and 
Ohio. He also hoped to arouse a large following in Kentucky, and in- 
tended to collect enormous quantities of supplies. He left Chattanooga 
August 28, and marched northward via Pikeville and Sparta. A few 
days before he began this movement Gen. Kirby Smith, aware of his in- 
tentions, advanced northward also, via Jacksborough, through Big Creek 
Gap, living mainly on green corn, and halted near Richmond for the ar- 
rival of Braofo:. His movement flanked the Federal force at Cumberland 
Gap, which beat a precipitate retreat to the Ohio River, At London 
his cavalry killed and wounded 30 and captured 111 of the Federals. 
At Richmond the Federal troops under Gen. Manson, nearly equal to his 
own, moved forward and attacked him, but were routed and several 
thousand of them captured. He moved on to Cynthiana. At Munford- 
ville, with trifling, loss, Bragg captured several thousand prisoners. He 
reached Bardstowu September 23. As soon as Buell saw the designs of 
Bragg he marched rapidly north to protect Louisville, and arrrived there 
ahead of the latter. Bragg, finding he could not induce Kentucky to 
join the Confederacy, although he had gone through the ceremony of in- 
stalling Richard Hawes provisional governor, turned to retrace his steps, 
meeting with no obstacle for some time to prevent his collecting enor- 
mous quantities of supplies. At Harrodsburg he formed a junction with 
Kirby Smith. Finally Buell, under pressure of the War Department, 
and with an army twice as strong, moved out to attack him. At Perry- 
ville, October 8, the two armies collided. About 15,000 of Bragg's army 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 555 

fought McCook's division of nearly twice as many and routed them from 
the field, capturing several thousand prisoners. He then retreated slowly, 
passing Cumberland Gap, marching to Knoxville, and thence moving by 
rail to TuUahoma and marching up to Mur£i*eesboro. Buell was super- 
seded by Maj. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans, who concentrated his army at Nash- 
ville. Both armies were reorganized, the Confederate taking the name 
" Army of the Tennessee," which it retained during the remainder of the 
war. Bragg' s army was weakened by the removal of Stevenson's divis- 
ion to Mississippi. 

December 26 Rosecrans moved out to offer battle, and arrived be- 
fore Murfreesboro late on the 30th. Bragg determined to anticipate 
the attack, and at daylight on the 31st threw a heavy force upon the 
Federal right flank. So furious was the onset that, although the enemy 
fought with great stubbornness, the entire flank was swept around upon 
the right center. Rosecrans had determined to adopt the same tactics, and 
accordingly early in the morning massed a heavy force on the Confeder- 
ate right, but was too late. Before he could accomplish anything in that 
portion of the field, his right was routed and his entire army was in dan- 
ger of destruction. The victorious Confederates were checked late in 
the afternoon. During the night the Federals formed and perfected a 
new line, and the Confederates strengthened their advanced position. 
The next day some skirmishing occurred, and a threatening movement 
was made upon the Confederate right and rear, but as a whole the two 
armies remained idle and watchful. On the 2d of January Bragg at- 
tacked the Federal force that had been thrown across the river and in- 
trenched in a strong position, but after desperate fighting was repulsed, 
and the next day retreated to Shelbyville and Tullahoma. On the first 
day of the battle Hardee commanded the divisions of McCown and Cle- 
burne on the left; Polk, those of Cheatham and Withers in the center, 
and Breckinridge the force on the right. Wheeler's and Wharton's 
cavalries, respectively, were on the right and the left flanks. On the 
Federal right was McCook, in the center Thomas, and on the left Crit- 
tenden. Accounts and returns differ, but each army had about 45,000 
effective troops, the Federals toward the last being re-enforced. Bragg' s 
total loss was 10,125; Rosecrans' 11,598. The former lost three pieces 
of artillery, the latter twenty-eight.* 

On the 30th of December, 1862, Wheeler's cavalry, in a daring raid, 
captured LaVergne, Rock Springs and Nolensville. About two weeks 
before that Forrest had cut loose from Bragg, crossed the Tennessee 
River at Clifton, captured Trenton, Humboldt, Union City and other 

*These figures were carefully prepared from official reports. 



556 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

places, with large quantities of supplies and hundreds of prisoners, and 
rejoined Bragg without serious loss. March 5, 1863, Gen, Yan Doin 
captured 2,000 Federals under Col. John Coburn at Spring Hill. In 
April Col. Streight, Federal cavalry leader, invaded Georgia, did con- 
siderable damage, but was pursued and captured by Gen. Forrest. In 
June Gen. John Morgan started North and invaded Indiana and Ohio, 
but was finally captured and his command dispersed. Bragg passed the 
winter at Shelbyville, Tullahoma and vicinity, while Eosecrans remained 
at Murfreesboro. June 24, 1863, Rosecrans began an advance and 
endeavored to flank Bragg's right, but the latter being largely out- 
numbered, retreated slowly and finally crossed the mountains to Chat- 
tanooga. About the middle of August the Federal Army began to cross 
the mountains to confront Bragg. 

In the meantime Vicksburg had fallen and Gettysburg had driven 
the Army of Northern Virginia south of the Potomac. Gen. Bragg, 
seeing that if he remained at Chattanooga his communications would be 
cut by flank movements of the large and rapidly increasing army before 
him, moved southward toward Lafayette, preparing to threaten the right 
flank of the enemy, or his rear via northern Alabama, or to fall upon 
him as he advanced southward from Chattanooga in detachments through 
the mountain passes and whip him in detail. The advance in detach- 
ments was really made, and had the re-enforcements expected arrived for 
Bragg, the division of McCook far out toward Alpine would have been 
crushed before Rosecrans perceived his danger. As it was the latter 
became alarmed and corrected his mistake before Braofi? felt able to take 

c>c> 

advantage of it. Both armies had been heavily re-enforced and the 
anxious gaze of both nations was riveted upon them. A portion of 
Longstreefs corps from Virginia under Hood, and a considerable force 
from Johnston's army in the Mississippi had formed a junction with 
Bragg. The enemy concentrated somewhat near Crawfish Spring, near 
where, September 18, a few preliminary skirmishes occurred. McCook 
occupied the right of the enemy, Thomas the left, and Crittenden the 
center. Polk was on the Confederate right, Hood on the left and Hill in 
the center. The battle of Chickamauga began early on the morning of 
the 19th and raged furiously all day without decisive result. The fol- 
lowing night brought Longstreet with the remainder of his corps. 
Bragg's aim had been to break and rout the Federal left, then crush the 
center and seize the Chattanooga road. Upon the arrival of Longstreet, 
Bragg summoned his generals in council. He divided the army into two 
commands — Longstreet with six divisions on the left and Polk with five 
divisions on the right. The latter was ordered to attack with all his 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 557 

power at dayliglit, but it was nearly 9 o'clock before his troops were 
in motion. Had he complied with the order there is little doubt that 
Thomas would have been crushed before the arrival of Negley's division. 
As it was Thomas was the " Rock of Chickamauffa " which the Confed- 
erate hosts failed to overturn. Thus do trifles serve to turn enormous 
tides. 

The battle began about 9 o'clock an(J was continued with furious 
intensity for many hours, the Confederate cause on the whole advancing, 
until finally a gap was opened by a misunderstanding of orders, it was 
claimed, in the enemy's right center* through which the vigilant Long- 
street threw Hood's and other divisions like an avalanche. This move- 
ment was decisive, the whole right wing and part of the center of the 
enemy crumbling in pieces and rolling back in confusion toward Chatta- 
nooga, bearing their commanders, including Rosecrans, with them. 
Thomas on the left was re-enforced on a very strong ridge, and held his 
position until night, despite the utmost efforts of the Confederates to 
crush him, and thus saved the Federal Army from destruction. At night 
he withdrew toward Chattanooga, and left the field to the victorious Con- 
federates. The battle was over. The losses were about equal (over 
15,000) to each army. 

Rosecrans remained at Chattanooga where he was besieged for sev- 
eral months succeeding the battle of Chickamauga. He was superseded 
in command by Gen. Grant October 19. Early in October "Wheeler and 
Wharton entered the Federal lines with their cavalry forces, and in the 
Sequatchie Yalley destroyed about 800 wagons of supplies designed for 
the starving army of the Federals. They did extensive damage, and 
finally rejoined Bragg via northern Alabama. October 27 Gen. Hooker 
managed to open the Federal line of supplies, which virtually raised the 
siege. Longstreet had been detached to move against Burnside at Knox- 
ville. Bragg occupied Missionary Ridge with a weakened army too 
much extended, and Grant, in Chattanooga, received re-enforcements and 
supplies. On the 23d of November Grant advanced and drove bacl^, the 
Confederate advance lines and occupied and intrenched the ground. The 
next day Lookout Mountain was taken, and on the 25th the whole Fed- 
eral Army in overwhelming force swept up to the top of the ridge, driv- 
ing the Confederate lines, after sharp work, from the field. 

Gen. Joseph E. Johnston succeeded Bragg in command of the army, 

*This order, written by an aid of Gen. Rosecrans at the latter's direction, read as follows: "The general 
commanding directs that you close up on Reynolds as fast as possible, and support him." As will be perceived, 
"closing up" and "supporting" are two widely ditt'erent acts, and hence the order was contradictory. The 
officer to whom it was addressed. Gen. Wood, had been a short time before sharply reprimanded for neglect by 
Gen. Rosecrans, and now concluded to construe the order in the latter sense of "supporting" only, and accord- 
ingly withdrew his division, leaving a wide gapiu the line of battle, which the vigilant eye of Longstreet at once 
detected with the results as above described. 

35 



558 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

the latter relinquishing at his own request. The winter of 1863-64: was 
j)assed in and around Dalton in receiving instruction and discipline.* 
Late in February, to co-operate with a general movement of Federal troops 
in the west, Thomas attacked the Confederates at Dalton, in the absence 
of Hardee's corps, but was repulsed. Gen. W. T. Sherman took com- 
mand of the Federals in March, and Gen. Grant was transferred to the 
chief command at Washington. About the middle of March, 1863, Gen. 
Forrest entered West Tennessee from Mississippi, captured Jackson, 
Union City^ Hickman, Ky., Paducah and other places with large quanti- 
,ties of supplies and numerous prisoners; and April 18 captured Fort 
Pillow with 557 Federal troops, of whom 262 were colored. Later he 
dashed into Memphis but was compelled to leave almost immediately; 
and also defeated and routed the Federals in Arkansas. 

About the middle of August, 1863, Gen. Burnside, with a force of 
nearly 20,000 men at Richmond, Ky., moved southward to cross the Cum- 
berland Mountains and take possession of East Tennessee. Knoxville 
was reached September 3 ; about the same time Gen. Buckner, unable to 
resist, withdrew all the available force there to re-enforce Bragg. Gen. 
Frazier, who occupied Cumberland Gap, was forced to surrender 2,000 
men on the 9tli, Gen. Burnside then scattered his command to guard and 
protect East Tennessee. Gen. Sam Jones did excellent work against 
several of the small commands, cutting them in pieces and capturing 
prisoners and supplies. Suddenly, without warning, October 20, Gen, 
Longstreet moved up from Chattanooga. At Philadelphia, below Loudon, 
he fell upon a force of Federals 2,000 strong under Col, Wolford and 
routed them, capturing many prisoners. Moving onward Burnside in 
force was encountered November 6, near Campbell's Station, where a 
sharp battle was fought. The enemy was forced back, but rallied until 
night when he retreated to his intrenchments at Knoxville. Both com- 
mands were handled with conspicuous ability. November 17 Longstreet 
invested the city. Sharp fighting occurred, and at last having been 
joined by Gen. Sam Jones, Longstreet November 28 and 29 assaulted but 
was repulsed. December 5 the siege was raised, as heavy re-enforcements 
for Burnside approached from Chattanooga. 

In December, 1863, Wheeler's cavalry had a sharp engagement with 
the enemy at Charlestown, East Tennessee, over a Avagon train. About 
the same time John Morgan and Martin Armstrong had a sharp battle 
with Gen. S. D. Sturgis at Mossy Creek, near New Market. Gen, Vance, 
who entered East Tennessee in January, 1864, after doing considerable 

*As a detailed account of the Georgia campaign would carry the military history beyond the limits as- 
signed it in this volume, only an outline will be given of the movements in which the Army of Tennessee 
participated. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 559 

damage, was defeated and captured by tlie Federals. In January and 
February, 1864, Morgan and Sturgis fought several sharp battles at Som- 
ersville, Dandridge, Strawberry Plains and elsewhere. 

About the first of June, John Morgan started to invade Kentucky. 
He was routed near Cynthiana by Gen, Burbridge, and made his 
way into West Virginia, where he collected a small force and returned 
to East Tennessee, captured Greeneville, but was killed and his force dis- 
persed in September by Gen. Gillem. In October Vaughn' and Palmer's 
forces Avere defeated at Morristown by Gen. Gillem ; but in November 
the latter was routed by Breckinridge. In September Forrest invaded 
Middle Tennessee and gave the Federals much annoyance. In Decem- 
ber the Federal forces under Stoneman, Burbridge, Gillem and others 
were united, and the Confederates in East Tennessee under Breckinridge, 
Vaughn and others were overpowered and dispersed. 

In the spring of 1864 an offensive campaign was proposed for Gen. 
Johnston, to move suddenly into East Tennessee, cross the river at 
Kingston, where a junction would be formed with Longstreet, ordered 
there for that purpose, and thus with an army of about 75,000 men to 
^threaten Sherman's rear and prevent him from invading the South, as 
well as to threaten Tennessee and Kentucky. But this was not to be. 
Early in May, 1861, the Federal Army under Sherman began its ad- 
vance on Dalton, and successively, by flank movements, forced Johnston, 
who had not been re-enforced as was designed should he undertake an. 
offensive campaign, to retreat. Many have thought that this campaign 
from Dalton to Atlanta was not surpassed by any other of the war iii 
brilliant and masterly movements, in furious and generally judicious 
battles, and in the splendid condition of both armies. From beginning 
to end it was a campaign of strategy. The overwhelming force of the 
Federal commander enabled him to face the Confederate Army with many 
ihore than its own number and to flank it with a large additional force. 
Vigilant as a tiger, Johnston watched the adroit coils of his wily adver- 
sary expanding and skillfully withdrew, inflicting upon him all the injury 
possible. At Rocky Face Ridge, Mill Creek Gap, Resaca, Cassville, New 
Hope Church, Dallas, Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Nose Creek, Powder Spring, Peach Tree Creek (vv^here Johnston was 
superseded by Gen. J. B. Hood), Cobb's Mills, around Atlanta, a cam- 
paign of about four months almost a continuous battle was fought and not 
once was the Confederate Army driven from its chosen position by the 
assaults of the enemy. At Lick Skillet road and Jonesboro sharp bat- 
tles were fought. 

Atlanta was evacuated by the army of Hood September 1. He 



560 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

moved to Lovejoy's Station; thence on the 18th at right angles to near 
Palmetto; thence on the 29th, across the Chattahoochie at Pumpkin 
Town, threatening Sherman's rear, which forced the latter out of Atlanta. 
Hood continued to move north, expecting to be followed by Sherman, 
reached Dalton, thence marched to Lafayette, thence westward reaching 
Tuscumbia October 31. Sherman followed a short distance from Atlanta 
then detached Schofield and Stanley's corps to assist Thomas at Nashville 
and then returned to "march to the sea." Hood was delayed at Tuscum- 
bia, biit on the 21st of November started north into Tennessee. The Fed- 
eral general, Schofield, marched rapidly from Pulaski Avhere he had been 
stationed by Thomas, to reach Columbia before Hood, and succeeded, 
throwing up heavy intrenchments which were too strong to assault. He 
was flanked, however, and forced back toward Franklin where he con- 
structed heavy intrenchments in a very strong position. Hood advanced 
with A. P. Stewart on the right, Cheatham on the left, and S. D. Lee in 
reserve behind, while Forrest's cavalry protected the flanks. So furious 
was the charge of the Confederates, and in such masses, that the first 
line and hill with eight guns were captured and the standard of the South 
was planted upon the enemy's works. But this was as far as the Confed- 
erate host could go. Charge after charge of the flower of the army was 
repulsed with fearful slaughter. The foemen intermingled throughout 
the whole line, which writhed and twisted like huge anacondas locked in 
the struggle of death. The attack began at 4 o'clock P. M. of the 30th, 
and continued with unabated fury until 9 o'clock, when it gradually sub- 
sided and finally ceased. Pat Cleburne, "the Stonewall Jackson of the 
West," the idol of his troops, lay dead upon the field within a few feet of 
the enemy's works. Strahl and Adams and Gist and Granbury lay stretched 
beside him, and Brown and Quarles and Carter and Cockrill and Mani- 
gault and Scott, all general officers, took with them from the bloody field 
severe and honorable scars. This battle is especially painful to contem- 
plate by Tennesseeaus, owing to the fearful slaughter of the troops of the 
State (many of whom lived at Franklin and neighboring cities) and to 
the barren fruits of the result. 

The niffht after the battle Schofield retreated to Nashville and united 
with Thomas, and on December 1, 18G5, was promptly followed by Hood 
with his shattered, though gallant army, who on the 2d formed a line of 
battle and prepared to invest the place held by more than twice as many 
troops as he possessed. On the loth the enemy moved out in overwhelm- 
ing numbers and attacked his whole line, making special efforts to turn 
his left, which was not accomplished until night, and then only in part. 
A new line was formed and the next day a heavy attack on the whole line 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 561 

was repulsed ; but the artillery and infantry were concentrated on a weak 
point, a breach was made and soon the whole Confederate Army was 
thrown back in more or less of a rout, which was easily corrected. With 
sad hearts the heroic remnant of the grand old Army of the Tennessee 
continued its retreat southward to join the army of Johnston in the Caro- 
linas for the final struggle. None who participated in it will ever forget 
the suffering and anguish of that weary march. The cause for which 
they had fought through nearly four long years of sorrow and war was 
trembling and falling; but barefooted, ragged and pinched with the 
severest physical suffering, the gallant boys turned their faces from their 
desolate homes and with their tattered banners marched down to the 
Carolir.as to die, if need be, " in the last ditch." A few more engage- 
ments, Bentonville and elsewhere, and all was over, and in April, 1865, 
having surrendered, they returned to their homes to repair the ravages 
of war, to reconstruct their social system and to take their places once 
more as useful citizens under the Federal Government. 

Besides the regularly organized regiments and battalions of infantry, 
cavalry and artillery, Tennessee furnished for the independent Confed- 
erate service a large number of companies, which did effective v/ork 
within the Federal lines during the last three years of the war. Re- 
cruits were constantly enlisted or conscripted for the older regiments, as 
the war progressed, notwithstanding the presence of Federal troops posted 
to prevent such procedure. It is safe to say that the State furnished 
for the Confederate service nearly if not quite 100,000 men. Its credits 
considerably exceeded that figure, as each man was counted as often as 
he enlisted, which was, in some cases, three or four times. The provis- 
ional army of the State was mustered in for one year, at the end of 
which period great efforts were made to secure a re-enlistment for three 
years or during the Avar. This in the main was successful. No better 
soldiers than the Tennesseeans were found in either army. For gal- 
lantry, devotion to principle believed to be just, courage, hardihood and 
intelligence, they challenge and receive the admiration of their quondam 
foes. They have accepted in good faith the settlement of the questions 
of "slavery, state sovereignty, secession, etc., and are now part of the warp 
and woof of the cloth of gold of the American Union. 

REGIMENTAL SKETCHES. 

The First Confederate (Tennessee) Regiment, probably the first 
raised in the State, was organized at "Winchester April 27, 1861, and was 
raised in the counties of Franklin, Lincoln, Coffee and Grundy. Upon 
the organization Peter Turney was elected colonel. The regiment was 



562 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

ordered to Virginia, where, at Lyncliburg, May 7, it was mustered into 
the service of the Confederate Government. It saw active service from 
the start, and participated in the earlier engagements of the war in that 
department. About the middle of February, 1862, it was attached to 
Anderson's brigade, the other regiments being the Seventh and Four- 
teenth Tennessee. This was known as the "Tennessee Brigade." 
This regiment served in nearly all the battles of the Army of Northern 
Virginia: Cheat Mountain, Winchester, Manassas (under Gen. Joe 
Johnston, near Yorktown), Seven Pines (the first real battle, losing heav- 
ily, including its brigade commander, Gen. Hatton, who was succeeded 
by Gen. Archer), Mechanicsville, Gains' Mills, Frazier's Farm, Culpep- 
per Court House, Second Bull Bun, Centerville, Fredericksburg (where 
Col. Turney commanded the brigade and was severely wounded), Chan- 
cellorsville, Gettysburg (again losing heavily and displaying great gal- 
lantry in the famous charge on Cemetery Hill), Falling Water, Bristoe 
Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and many 
others, losing in the aggregate two-thirds of those engaged. It was sur- 
rendered at Appomattox in April, 1865. Col. Turney had been wounded, 
and was in Florida at the time of the surrender. This was one of the 
best regiments from the State. , 

The First Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Middle 
Tennessee, in April, 1861, immediately after the fall of Sumter, and was 
organized with George Maney as colonel, and was, July 10, transferred 
to Virginia, where, with the Seventh and Fourteenth Begiments, it was 
brigaded under Gen. Anderson. The trip to Mingo Flats was the first 
hardship, and near Cheat Pass the regiment was first under fii-e. It par- 
ticipated in the movement at Big Sewell Mountain, and prepared winter 
quarters at Huntersville. but December 8 moved to Winchester, and 
early in January, 1862, amid intense suffering and cold, moved to Rom- 
ney; thence back to Winchester early in February. After the fall of 
Fort Donelson, the First was ordered to the command of Gen. A. S. John- 
ston. Part was left at Knoxville, and part joined Johnston. The latter, 
the left wing, participated in the battle of Shiloh on the second day, but 
the right wing had been detained for. want of transportation. After Shi- 
loh the wings were reunited and late in April the First was reorganized, 
H. R. Field becoming colonel, lu'ce Maney promoted. Hawkins' battalion 
was added to the regiment as Company L. The First was in Maney's 
brigade of Cheatham's division. July 11, 1862, it left Tupelo, and via 
Chattanooga moved into Kentucky, reaching Harrodsburg October 6. 
It fought on the extreme right at Perryville, doing gallant service and 
losing over one-half its men killed and wounded. It captured four 



HISTOEY OP TENNESSEE. 563 

.twelve- pound guns and liad fifty men killed. It retreated south with 
Bragg, and in December was consolidated with the Twenty-seventh Ten- 
nessee, and later was engaged in the battle of Murf reesboro, where it lost 
heavily. It moved south, and in September participated in the battle of 
Chickamauga with conspicuous daring. Late in November it was en- 
gaged in the battle of Missionary Kidge, and then retreated with the 
Confederate Army. From Dalton to Atlanta the regiment was constantly 
engaged in all the memorable movements of that campaign, fighting 
desperately at " Dead Angle." In front of the First were found 385 
Federal dead. The First lost twenty-seven killed and wounded. It 
fought on the 20th and 22d of July, and at Jonesboro August 19 and 20. 
It moved north with Hood, fighting at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nash- 
ville, and then retreated, moving to North Carolina, where it participated 
at Bentonville, and finally surrendered April 26, 1865. 

The Second Confederate (Tennessee) Regiment was organized May 5, 
1861, with William B. Bate, colonel, and was mustered into the Con- 
federate service at Lynchburg, Ya., early in May, 1861. It was raised 
in Middle Tennessee. It occupied various positions until June 1, when, 
at Acquia Creek, it supported Confederate batteries in an engagement 
with Federal war ships. It made a forced march to assist Beauregard at 
Manassas, and on the 21st was marched seven miles at a double-quick, a 
portion of the time under a heavy artillery fire. It occupied Evansport 
and erected batteries, etc., until February, 1862, when it re-enlisted for 
three years and took a furlough of sixty days. It joined the Confeder- 
ate forces at Huntsville, Ala., late in March, 1862; thence moved to Cor- 
inth, and April 6 and 7 was hotly engaged at Shiloh in the brigade of 
Gen. P. R. Cleburne, where it lost in killed and wounded the appalling 
number of 235 men. Col. Bate was severely wounded and was immedi- 
ately promoted. After this sanguinary battle the regiment was reorgan- 
ized. It skirmished around Corinth, retreated to Tupelo, and then with 
its brigade was moved to Knoxville, Tenn., thence through Wilson's Gap 
into Kentucky, to cut off Gen. Morgan's retreat from Cumberland Gap. 
August 30, 1862, it was desperately engaged at Richmond, Ky., losing 
many men. It then moved to Latonia Springs ; thence to Shelbyville, 
threatening Louisville ; thence fought at Perry ville, its commander being 
Sr.-Capt. C. P. Moore. It then moved to Knoxville, where W. D. Rob- 
ison was elected colonel. December 31, 1862, it fought at Murfrees- 
boro, suffering heavily. It wintered at Tullahoma and in the spring of 
1863 did guard duty, skirmishing several times. Later it moved to 
Bridgeport and was engaged at McLemore's Cove, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge and Ringgold Gap It did outpost duty during the winter 



564 HISTORY or Tennessee. 

of 1863-64:, and in the spring retreated witli Jolinston from Dalton to 
Atlanta, participating in the engagements at Resaca, New Hope Church, 
"Dead Angle" and Atlanta. At Peach Tree Creek two of its companies 
were captured. It fought at Jonesboro, where Col. Robison and Maj. 
Driver were killed, and at Lovejoy's Station. It moved north with Gen. 
Hood and at the battles of Franklin and Nashville suffered heavy loss. 
It retreated to Tupelo, was transferred to North Carolina, fought at 
Benton ville, losing its commander, Wilkerson. April 26, 1865, it was 
surrendered by Gen. Johnston at Greensboro, N. C, to Gen. Sherman. 

The Second Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Mem- 
'phis and organized about the 1st of May, 1861, with J. K. Walker, colonel, 
and reported to Gen. J. L. T. Sneed at Randolph. Later it participated 
in the movement northward and fought in the battle of Belmont, Novem- 
ber 7, with considerable loss. It returned southward occupying several 
points, and finally from Corinth, in April, 1862, moved up and engaged 
the enemy at Shiloh, in which bloody engagement it lost severely. Soon 
after this it was consolidated with the Twenty-first Tennessee Regiment 
to form the Fifth Confederate Regiment. 

The Third Confederate (Tennessee) Regiment was organized at 
Knoxville, May 29, 1861, with John C. Yaughn, colonel, and July 
2, 1861, left for the field in Virginia, and two days later, was mus- 
tered into the Confederate service. The first engagement was June 
19, when Companies I and K captured New River Bridge and two can- 
nons. July 21 it was engaged at the first battle of Manassas, and then 
did picket duty. February 16, 1862, it moved to East Tennessee, and 
April 1 skirmished with guerrillas in Scott County, Tenn. May 1 it 
was reorganized at Big Creek Gap, Vaughn being re-elected colonel. 
August 6, 1862, the regiment defeated three regiments of Federals at 
Tazewell, Tenn., losing, 7 killed and 31 wounded. It participated in the 
siege of Cumberland Gap ; thence moved with Bragg into Kentucky, 
and here N. J. Lillard became colonel, vice Vaughn promoted. In 
December, 1862, the regiment with three others of East Tennessee under 
Gen. Reynolds, started for Vicksburg, arriving January 5, 1863 ; took 
an active part in the surrounding engagements and surrendered with 
Pemberton July 4. July 10 the troops were paroled, and October 19 
were formally exchanged. It was assigned to Longstreet's command and 
saw service around Knoxville. A portion of the regiment in Virginia, 
during the summer of 1861, lost at Piedmont forty-seven killed and 
wounded. It participated at Bull'sGap, Greene ville and Morristown, and 
surrendered May 9, 1865. 

The Third Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized in Giles 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 565 

Count}'- May 16, 1861, with five companies from Giles, three from Maury, 
one from Lawrence and one from Lewis, and was placed in command of 
Col. J. C. Brown. The Third, after occupying camp of instruction, was, 
about the middle of September, 1861, sent to Gen. Buckner's command 
at Bowling Green, Ky. February 8, 1862, it reached Fort Donelson 
where it began work. It was commanded by Lieut. -Col. Gordon, Col. 
Brown having charge of a brigade. During the siege of Fort Donelson 
the Third was prominently engaged. It made several sallies and charges 
with great spirit and considerable loss. It was surrendered with the 
fort, having lost 13 killed, 56 wounded and 722 captured. The ^^rison- 
ers were taken North September 23, 1862; 607 were exchanged and im- 
mediately (September 26, 1862, at Jackson, Miss.) reorganized with C. 
H. Walker, colonel. It took the field, skirmished at Springdale, Miss., 
fought at Chickasaw Bayou, losing 2 men, did good service at Port Hud- 
son; thence in May, 1863, moved to Raymond, where, in the fiercest en- 
gagement of the war, it lost the appalling number of 32 killed on the 
field, 76 wounded and 68 captured. After this it was engaged at Chick- 
amauga, losing 21 killed, 62 wounded and 7 prisoners ; and at Missionary 
Eidge, losing 3 wounded and 1 captured. It participated at Eesaca, New 
Hope Church, near Marietta, around Atlanta, at Jonesboro, and in nu- 
merous lesser engagements. It went north with Hood, to Franklin and 
Nashville, and then moved to North Carolina, where at Greensboro, 
April 26, 1865, it was surrendered. This was one of the best of the 
Tennessee regiments. 

The Fourth Confederate (Tennessee) Regiment was organized at 
Camp Sneed, near Knoxville, in the month of July, 1861, and comprised 
companies from the counties of Davidson, Eutherford, Williamson and 
others, and from Alabama, and was commanded by Col. W. M. Church- 
well. The lieutenant-colonel was James McMurray, and the major, Lewis. 
This regiment first saw service in East Tennessee. After various 
movements it joined Gen. Bragg on the campaign into Kentucky, where, 
at Perryville, it was engaged. It marched southward with the army and 
participated in the furious charges at Murfreesboro, sustaining severe loss, 
and later, at the splendid Confederate victory at Chickamauga, bore 
its full share of the bloody work. It was at Missionary Eidge and at all 
the various movements of Gen. Johnston in the Georgia campaign, fight- 
ing often and losing heavily. It marched back on Hood's Tennessee, cam- 
paign and participated at Nashville and Franklin; thence marched to 
North Carolina with the gallant Army of the Tennessee, where it surren- 
dered in the spring of 1865. 

The Fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment was raised in the 



-566 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

counties of Dyer, Obion, Lauderdale, Gibson, Tipton and Hardeman, 
and was organized May 18, 1861, with K P. Neely, colonel. It moved 
to Memphis May 20; thence up to Randolph; thence to Fort Pillow 
July 18 ; thence to New Madrid, and November 7, at Belmont, served as 
a reserve. February 4, 18G2, at Island No. 10, it was under the fire of 
Federal gun-boats. It reached Memphis March 20 ; thence moved to 
Corinth, and on the 6th of April began the brilliant fight at Shiloh. In 
one charge, when it captured a fine battery, it lost 31 killed and 160 
wounded, and dui'ing the battle nearly half of those engaged. The 
Fourth was reorganized April 25, with O. F. Strahl, colonel. In July it 
moved to Chattanooga and August 17 started on the Kentucky campaign, 
passing through Sparta, Gainesboro, Munfordville, Bardstown and 
Harrodsburg. At Perryville, in the afternoon of the 8th, it participated 
in a brilliant charge on the Federals, losing about one-third of those 
engaged. It moved south via Kuoxville and Tullahoma to Murfrees- 
boro, where it was hotly engaged December 31. In July, 1863, A. J. 
Kellar became colonel. At Chickamauga, September 18 and 19, the 
Fourth fouglit gallantly, and November 26 participated in the severe 
contest on Missionary Ridge, losing nearly one-third of its men. 
Beginning at Dalton in May, 1864, the Fourth was under fire sixty days 
in the movement toward Atlanta, fighting at Dug Gap, Mill Creek Gap, 
Resaca, Ellsbury Mountain, Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro, suffering 
severe loss. At Spring Hill and Franklin and Nashville the Fourth was 
gallantly engaged. After this the regiment moved to North Carolina, 
fought at Bentonville and April 26, 1865, surrendered at Greensboro. 
The Fifth Confederate (Tennessee) Regiment was formed from the 
Second and the Twenty-first Tennessee Regiments at Tupelo, Miss., 
about the 1st of June, 1862, with J. A. Smith, colonel. About August 1 
it moved to near Chattanooga. It moved north with Gen. Bragg on the 
Kentucky campaign, skirmishing several times and assisting in the 
capture of Fort Denham at Munfordville. Returning south from Bards- 
town the Fifth fought desperately at Perryville October 8, losing many 
valuable men. It continued on to Knoxville ; thence to Tullahoma and 
Eagleville, and December 31 commenced in the brilliant Confederate 
achievement at Murfreesboro. The regiment displayed great gallantry 
and after the battle moved to Tullahoma, where it wintered; then to 
Wartrace and in June, 1863, to Hoover's Gap, and then to Chattanooga. 
In September it fought with conspicuous gallantry at bloody Chicka- 
mauga, losing heavily of its best and bravest. Later, at Missionary 
Ridge, the Fifth held its position on the right until left alone. From 
Dalton to Atlanta it was constantly engaged, losing many in killed, 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 567 

» 

wounded and prisoners. It moved north with Gen. Hood and fought as 
it never had before at Franklin in that hottest engagement of the Avar, 
where it was reduced to twenty-ope men. At Nashville it fought on the 
right and then moved south. It was consolidated at Corinth with other 
skeleton regiments and moved to North Carolina, where it participated 
at Bentonville and was finally surrendered April 26, 1865. Much of the 
time of service the regiment was in the brigade of the gallant and 
beloved Cleburne. 

The Fifth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Henry 
County (a few in Benton and in Carroll) and organized at Paris May 
20, 1861, with W. E. Travis, colonel, with t^velve companies. It 
occupied Humboldt and Union City until September 1, 1861; then 
moved to Columbus, Ky., and at the battle of Belmont supported the 
artillery. It formed part of Stewart's brigade, Cheatham's division, 
Polk's corps. When Donelson fell the regiment moved to New Madrid, 
where several skirmishes were had with the Federals. The Fifth 
marched to Corinth, and April 6 and 7 fought with notable bravery at 
Shiloh, losing heavily. It then moved to Tupelo; thence to Chatta- 
nooga. In September it moved on the Kentucky expedition, and at 
Perryville sustained a heavy loss. For the Fifth this was one of the 
sharpest fights of the war. It then moved via Knoxville to Murfrees- 
boro, where it was consolidated with the Fourth under Col. Lamb, and 
was desperately engaged at the battle of the latter name. In the move- 
ment south it skirmished at Guy's Gap. The Fifth fought in the bloody 
battle of Chickamauga for two days, and at Missionary Ridge, in 
November, 1863, was one of the last to leave the ridge, and was then 
used to cover the retreat. It cheeked the victorious Federals until 
2 A. M. the next morning, though overwhelmed with, numbers. On the 
retreat it fought all the way to Ringgold Gap. It wintered at Dalton, 
and in the spring, on the Atlanta campaign, fought almost continuously 
to Atlanta. Col. Lamb was mortally wounded at Ellsbury Ridge, and 
was succeeded by A. J. Kellar. It moved north with Hood, fought at 
Franklin and Nashville, retreated south, and in the spring of 1865 a 
mere remnant was surrendered in North Carolina. 

The Sixth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Madison, 
Fayette and Haywood, nine of the eleven companies in Madison, and was 
organized in May, 1861, by the election of W. H. Stephens, colonel, and 
was mustered in for one year on May 15. May 26 it moved to Union 
City, where it was thoroughly disciplined. It moved to Columbus, Ky., 
but was not enofaored at Belmont. After the surrender of Fort Donelson 
the regiment moved south to Corinth. April 6 and 7, 1862, the Sixth 



568 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

•was first engaged at Shiloli, having to endure the trial of a severe artil- 
lery fire before being engaged. About 11 o'clock of the 6th it was or- 
dered to charge a battery, which it did in gallant style, meeting with a 
terrific fire, which cut down 250 men. It did splendid work on both of 
those memorable days, losing over one-third of those engaged. It 
returned to Corinth, in the vicinity of which it participated in several 
hot skirmishes, losing severely. It then moved to Chattanooga, and in 
September started on the campaign into .Kentucky. At Perry ville, 
October 8, the Sixth, under Col. G. C. Porter, occupied the center of 
Maney's gallant brigade, and lost over 150 killed, wounded and missing. 
The regiment was nest engaged at Murfreesboro, having previously been 
consolidated with the Ninth Tennessee, under Col. Hurt, It brought on 
the battle and was then held in reserve, but was rapidly moved from 
point to point, being much of the time under heavy artillery fire. Next 
at Chickamauga the Sixth, under Col. Porter, did noble work in the 
fiercest of the fight, losing over a third of its men. At Missionary Rid.ge 
it was prominently engaged, and was one of the last to leave the field. 
It wintered at Dalton, and in the spring of 1861 fought at Kenesaw. 
"Dead Angle," siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy and Franklin, No- 
vember 30, 1864, where it was immortalized. It fought at Nashville, 
SjDring Hill, Elk River, and finally surrendered in North Carolina. 

The Seventh Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Sumner, 
Wilson, Smith and DeKalb Counties, and was organized May 25, 1861, 
with Robert Hatton, colonel. It remained at Camp Trousdale, Sumner 
County, until in July, when it moved to Virginia, and with the First and 
Fourteenth Tennessee Regiments, was constituted Anderson's Brigade. 
It skirmished on the Parkersburg road as part of Loring's division of 
Jackson's corps, ai^d at Hancock, Md., and later the First Confederate 
(Turney's Tennessee) took the place of the First Tennessee (Confed- 
erate), the whole being called the "First Tennessee Brigade." The 
Seventh participated in the Yorktown campaign, and later Goodner was 
commissioned colonel, Hatton brigadier, and G. W. Smith major-general. 
May 30, 1862, at Seven Pines, the Seventh, in a desperate charge, lost 
eight captains, half its privates, and Brig. -Gen. Hatton. In the "seven 
days" battles it fought with notable daring and dash at Mechanicsville, 
Gaines' Mills, Frazier's Farm, Malvern Hill and elsewhere, losing many 
valuable men. It lost heavily at Culpepper Court House, and at Bull 
Run Company H lost all its men killed or wounded, a remarkable cir- 
cumstance. At Centerville, Bolivar Heights and Antietam the Seventh 
fought with conspicuous valor, losing at the latter battle over thirty of 
less than 100 engaged. At Fredericksburg: and Chancellorsville it sus- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 569 

tained severe loss amid brilliant action on the field. At Gettysburg it 
commenced the attack, losing the first man on the Confederate side, 
being held in reserve the second day, and conjointly with Pickett's divis- 
ion, on the third day, forming the column which made the historic and 
headlong charge on Cemetery Hill. In the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania, 
at Petersburg, on Weldon Kailroad, at Fort Archer and in a multitude 
of skirmishes, the Seventh bore an honorable and conspicuous part. 
Forty-seven sad-hearted, noble men surrendered at Appomattox. 

The Eighth Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment was raised in the coun- 
ties of Marshall, Lincoln, Overton, Jackson and Smith, and was organ- 
ized at Camp Harris, Lincoln County, in May, 1861, and was mustered 
into the provisional army of Tennessee by Col. D. E. Smythe. Later in 
May it moved to Camp Trousdale. Its colonel was Alfred S. Fulton. 
It moved first to West Virginia, where it operated for some time, skir- 
mishing occasionally with some loss. Later it returned to Tennessee, 
and finally joined Bragg' s Kentucky campaign, and was engaged October 
8, 1862, at Perryville with loss. It moved south and participated in the 
hottest of the fight at Murfreesboro, losing nearly half the number en- 
gaged in killed and wounded. After this it participated in all the bril- 
liant movements of the Army of the Tennessee — at Chickamauga, Mission- 
ary Eidge, on the Atlanta and Hood's Tennessee campaigns, fighting with 
distinguished valor, and losing its bravest and best. At Murfreesboro it 
was in Donelson's brigade of Cheatham's division. At Chickamauofa it 
was in Wright's brigade, and was commanded by Col. John H. Anderson. 
After long and gallant service it was surrendered to Gen. Sherman in 
North Carolina. 

The Ninth Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment, was raised in Hay- 
wood, Fayette, Tipton, Hardeman, Shelby, Lauderdale, Weakley and 
Obion Counties, and was organized at Camp Beauregard, Jackson, May 
22, 1861, with H. L. Douglas, colonel. It was disciplined at Union City 
where many died of measles. In August it moved to Columbus, Ky. ; in 
October to Mayfield; thence back to Columbus, and in March, 1862, to 
Corinth. From Bethel Station it marched sixteen miles to engage the 
enemy at Shiloh, and was in the hottest of the fight, losing about sixty 
men. C. S. Hurt soon became colonel, and in August the Ninth marched 
to Chattanooga, and in September northward on the Kentucky campaign. 
At Perryville, October 8, it fought its severest and most desperate fight 
of the war, losing 52 killed and 76 wounded. It was then trans- 
ferred via Knoxville to Murfreesboro, where it was consolidated with 
the Sixth, and where December 31, it sustained heavy loss on a bloody 
field. Soon after this, Col. Porter succeeded Col. Hurt. The Ninth fell 



570 HISTOEY OP TENNESSEE. 

back with the army to Chattanooga ; thence to Chickamauga, where Sep- 
tember 19 and 20 it did brilliant service, losing 35 killed and 
40 wounded. At Missionary Ridge it fought in reserve, and then fell 
slowly back to Dalton, where it wintered. On the Atlanta campaign, 
beginning in May, 1864. it fought at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw, Dead 
Angle, Peach Tree Creek and at Atlanta, where it lost many officers and 
was in numerous skirmishes. It participated in the engagements at 
Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Dalton and Decatur, without serious loss; and at 
bloody Franklin fought with great fierceness, sustaining a loss of one- 
fourth its men, and at Nashville suffered much amid gallant action before 
an overwhelming force. As Company E of the First Consolidated Ten- 
nessee Regiment, the Ninth marched to North Carolina, where April 20, 
1865, it surrendered with forty men. 

The Tenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in David- 
son, Montgomery and Giles Counties, and was organized at Fort Henry, 
in May, 1861, with Adolphus Heiman, colonel. It was disciplined at 
Fort Henry, and during the investment lost seven men killed and 
wounded by the bursting of a 64-pounder. At Fort Donelson, where it 
retreated, it was under constant and destructive musketry and artillery 
fire for three days, and became prisoners of war February 16, 1862. 
Here it earned the designation " Bloody Tenth." September 24 it was 
exchanged, and October 2 reorganized at Clinton, Miss. R. W. McGa- 
vock succeeded Col. Heiman, who had died. In December, in Gregg's 
brigade, it helped defeat Sherman at Chickasaw Bayou. January 3 it 
moved to Port Hudson, where March 13, at night, it sustained a heavy 
bombardment by Federal gun-boats. May 7 it fought at Jackson, and 
May 12 brilliantly at Raymond, losing Col. McGavock. The Tenth was 
consolidated with the Thirtieth under Col. Turner. After the capitula- 
tion of Vicksburg it joined Bragg at Ringgold, and September 19 and 
20 at fierce Chickamauga lost 224 men killed and wounded out of 328 
engaged, a result with scarcely a parallel in the annals of war. The brig- 
ade was broken up on the death of Gen. Gregg, and the Tenth was trans- 
ferred to Tyler's brigade. At Missionary Ridge the regiment fought 
hotly, being one of the last to leave the field. In May, 1864, it began 
the southward movement, fighting with conspicuous bravery at Rocky 
Face Ridge, Ringgold Gap, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church ;. 
Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Decatur (July 
22), Atlanta and Jonesboro, where Col. Grace was mortally wounded. 
In Hood's campaign into Tennessee it participated in the awful charges 
at Franklin and the stubborn fighting at Nashville. It then moved to 
Benton ville, N. C, and surrendered at Greensboro. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 571. 

The Eleventh Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in David- 
son, Humphreys, Dickson, Robertson and Hickman Counties, and was 
organized May 22, ISGl, at Camp Cheatham, with J. E. Rains as colonel. 
Late in July it was ordered into East Tennessee, and in October was 
moved into Kentucky with Gen. Zollicoffer. At ""Wild Cat" it lost nine 
killed and wounded, and then guarded Cumberland Gap until the early 
summer of 1862. It moved south, skirmishing at Walden's Ridge, los- 
ing by capture its colonel, Gordon. After sundiy movements it joined 
Bragg at Harrodsburg, thence moved south \da Knoxville to Murfrees- 
boro, where the Eleventh fought its first pitched battle ^vitli splendid 
dash and intrepidity, losing many men, among whom was Col. Gordon, 
severely wounded. Gen. Rains was killed on the field. After this the 
Eleventh was assigned to the Tennessee Brigade of Gen. Preston Smith, 
comprising the Twelfth, Thirteenth, Twenty-ninth, Forty-seventh and 
One Hundred and Fifty-fourth. It spent the summer of 1863 as Chat- 
tanooga, and in September participated in the bloody battle of Chicka- 
mauga with great bravery and severe loss. At Missionary Ridge it 
fought desperately, resisting the furious charges of the Federals for 
hours, and until flanked. Four regimental color- bearers were shot down 
and Maj. Green was mortally wounded. In the Atlanta campaign, in 
1864, it was engaged at Resaca, Calhoun, New Hope Church, Dead- 
Angle, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Sugar Creek and elsewhere, losing 
in the aggregate heavily, and invariably displaying wonderful dash and 
pluck. At Jonesboro it lost Col. Long. In the awful battle of Franklin 
and again at Nashville it bore a distinguished part. It was at Benton- 
ville, N. C, and April 26, 1865, surrendered at Greensboro. About the 
beginning of Hood's Tennessee campaign it was consolidated with the 
Twenty-ninth Regiment. 

The Twelfth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Gibson, 
Dyer, Carroll, Fulton and Hickman Counties, Tenn., and Graves County, 
Ky., and was mustered in at Jackson, May 28, 1861, R. M. Russell be- 
coming colonel. It was thoroughly fitted for the field at Trenton and 
Union City, and in September moved to Columbus, Ky., and November 
7 took active part in the battle of Belmont, T. H. Bell, commanding, 
losing about thirty killed and wounded. Soon after the surrender of 
Fort Donelson it was transferred to Corinth, and April 6 and 7 par- 
ticipated in the headlong victory at Shiloh with severe loss, Col. Bell 
receiving dangerous wounds. In May 1862, it was reorganized with 
Bell as colonel, and was consolidated with the Twenty -second. It was 
moved to Chattanooga ; thence detached to Kirby Smith, at Knoxville ; 
thence marched into Kentucky, where at Richmond it defeated the enemy 



,572 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

with loss. It joined Bragg at Harrodsburg, was iu reserve at Perry ville, 
returned to Knoxville and Avas consolidated with the Forty -seventh. It 
was then transferred to Murfreesboro where it bore a gallant part, leaving 
its gallant dead thick on the field. At Chickamauga, in September, and 
at Missionary Ridge, in November, it distingushed itself on the field by 
its impetuous charges and adamantine stands. Again in 1864 at Rocky 
Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Kenesaw, "Dead 
Angle," Peach Tree Creek, Decatur and Atlanta, it bore its heroic part. 
At Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station it suffered severely, and in the dread- 
ful slaughter at Franklin, and in the dogged and desperate fighting at 
Nashville it fought with its accustomed dash and courage. It made the 
dark and sorrowful march to the Carolinas, participated at Bentonville 
and surrendered at Greensboro, N. C,, April 26, 1865, with fifty men. 

The Thirteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Fay- 
ette, Shelby, Gibson, McNairy and Dyer Counties, Tenn,, and Marshall 
County, Miss., and was mustered m at Jackson June 3, 1861, J. V. 
Wright becoming colonel. It moved to Randolph and joined Sneed's 
brigade. After occupying various stations it moved in September to 
Columbus, Ky., where on the 10th it was brigaded with the Twelfth and 
Twenty-first Regiments, under Col. Russell. November 7, at Bel- 
mont, it was desperately engaged driving the enemy back to his boats, 
but losing the enormous number of 149 killed and wounded out of 400 
engaged. Soon after this A. J. Yaughn succeeded Wright as colonel. 
March 19, 1862, it reach Corinth, and April 6 and 7 fought with des- 
perate valor at Shiloh, losing 112 killed and wounded. It was then re- 
organized and a company from LaGrange was added. Early in August 
it moved to Chattanooga; was detached and sent to Gen. Cleburne, at 
Knoxville; thence marched into Kentucky and assisted in severely de- 
feating the Federals at Richmond. It was in reserve at Perryville; 
thence moved to Murfreesboro via Knoxville and Tullahoma. At the 
furious battle of Murfi'eesboro it lost 110 killed and wounded out of 226 
engaged. At Chickamauga in September, 1863, and Missionary Ridge 
in November, it displayed its usual desperation and valor. In the 
Georgia campaign it was honorably and gallantly engaged in all the prin- 
cipal battles to Atlanta, suffering in the aggregate severely, and in the 
Tennessee campaign, at Spring Hill, fierce Franklin and Nashville sus- 
tained further and sorrowful losses. Sadly the skeleton regiment joined 
Johnson's army in North Carolina, where at Bentonville it surren- 
dered. 

The Fourteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment wa raised in Mont- 
gomery, Robertson and Stewart Counties, and was organized at Camp 



BATTLE OF — 



MURFREESBORO. 




HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 573 

Duncan, -Clarksville, in May, 1861, under Col. "W". A. Forbes. About tlie 
middle of July it was transferred to Virginia, where it was brigaded 
with the First and the Seventh, under Gen. S. R. Anderson. In the har- 
rassing Cheat Mountain expedition, it suffered intensely and was first un- 
der fire. During the winter of 1861-62, it participated in the campaigns 
around Romney, Winchester, and the bombardment of Hancock. From 
this date it was in all the historical movements of the Army of Northern 
Virginia. May 31, 1862, it fought at Seven Pines with great bravery, 
losing heavily. At Chickahominy, Cold Harbor, Gaines' Mills, Malvern 
Hill, Frazier's Farm and elsewhere it left its gallant dead on the bloody 
fields. Again at Cedar Mountain, second Manassas (where Col. Forbes 
was killed), Chantilly, Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Shepardstown, Freder- 
icksburg and Chancellorsville (May, 1863) it bore a distinguished and 
honorable part, leaving its best blood on the ever memorable fields. Late 
in June, 1863, the army moved into Pennsylvania, where at Gettysburg, 
on the first day, the Fourteenth fought with desperate valor and heroic 
achievements, sustaining the loss of many of its best soldiers. On the 
3d of July its brigade and pickets made the memorable and brilliant 
charge on Cemetery Ridge. This extraordinary charge has no superior 
in the annals of war. Again at Falling Waters, Bristow Station, in the 
bloody Wilderness, at fearful Spottsylvania, at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, 
the defenses of Richmond and elsewhere, it sustained its heroic record. 
In April, 1865, the remnant of this war-scarred regiment laid down its 
dripping arms at Appomattox 

The Fifteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised mainly 
in Shelby County and at McKenzie, and was organized at Jackson June 
7, 1861, under Col. Charles M. Carroll. Later several companies with- 
drew and were succeeded by others from Shelby County and Paducah, 
Ky. After occupying various positions it finally participated in the bat- 
tle of Belmont, where it suffered slight loss. In March, 1862, it moved 
south from Columbus, Ky., and finally, April 6 and 7, from Bethel Sta- 
tion, near Corinth, fought in the bloody battle of Shiloh Avhere it lost the 
fearful number of nearly 200 killed and wounded, receiving high praise 
for its dash and daring. It then returned to Tupelo where it was reor- 
ganized, and later was moved via Chattanooga northward on the Ken- 
tucky campaign, fighting in the severe contest of Perryville, where in a 
hand-to-hand encounter it assisted in capturing a stone wall. It moved 
south via Knoxville to Murfreesboro, in which battle it further distin- 
guished itself. Later it was consolidated with the Thirty-seventh Regi- 
ment, Tyler of the Fifteenth taking command, which occasioned much 
ill-feeling during the remainder of the war. It moved back to Chatta- 



574 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

nooga, thence to Chickamauga, where in September, 1863, it was hotly- 
engaged, thence to Missionary Ridge in November, sustaining in both 
actions heavy loss. It followed the fortunes of the Georgia campaign, 
fighting in all the principal battles with splendid courage and severe loss. 
In Hood's unfortunate campaign into Tennessee, it engaged fiercely in the 
actions of Franklin and Nashville, and finally marched to North Caro- 
lina, where it surrendered. 

The Sixteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised mainly on 
the Cumberland Table-land, in and around Putnam County, and was mus- 
tered in June 9 at Camp Trousdale, Sumner County, with John H. Sav- 
age, colonel. Late in July it moved to Virginia, where it was brigaded 
with the Eighth under Gen. Douelson. The first severe hardship and the 
first engagement was on the Cheat Mountain expedition. It participated 
in the harrassing expedition to Little Sewell Mountain. In December, 
1861, it w^as transferred to Port Royal, opposite Beaufort Island, where 
it did valuable guard duty until after Shiloh, when it reported at Corinth 
and joined Bragg's campaign into Kentucky, where at Perryville it fought 
its first severe battle with great pluck and intrepidity. It then returned 
and participated gallantly in the precipitous charges at Murfreesboro. It 
then moved south and in September fought with conspicuous courage at 
dreadful Chickamauga, and later sustained for hours the shock of the 
Federal Army at Missionary Ridge, losing heavily in both actions. In 
1864, on the Georgia campaign, it fought at Rocky Face Ridge, Kenesaw, 
Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and around Atlanta, losing many in the aggre- 
gate and sustaining its fine record. Again at Jonesboro, and at that 
hottest battle of the civil war — Franklin— and again at Nashville, it 
poured the blood of its bravest on the ensanguined fields. With heavy 
hearts the skeleton remnant of the gallant Sixteenth marched down to 
North Carolina where it finally surrendered. 

The Seventeenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Bedford, Marshall, Franklin, Jackson and Putnam Counties, and with T. 
W. Newman, colonel, was mustered in May 5, 1861. It was disciplined at 
Camp Trousdale and late in July was transferred to Virginia, but in Au- 
gust returned to East Tennessee. It joined Zollicoffer's Kentucky cam- 
paign and at the battle of Rock Castle in half an hour lost 11 killed and 
27 wounded. Again it participated in the battle of Fishing Creek (where 
Gen. ZollicofPer was killed), with the loss of 10 killed and 36 wounded. 
February 19, 1862, it reached Murfreesboro; thence moved to northern 
Mississippi, where it participated in the siege of Corinth. In May, T. 
C. H. Miller became colonel, but was soon succeeded by Albert S. Marks. 
It was transferred to Chattanooga early in August, and in September 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 575 

moved into Kentucky with Bragg, fighting stubbornly at Perry villa; 
thence moved south with the army and December 31 was engaged with 
magnificent courage at Murfreesboro, losing the extraordinary number of 
246 killed and wounded. Later it was engaged at Hoover's Gap, and in 
September, 1863, at the fearful contest of Chickamauga lost 145 killed 
and wounded. It soon moved north with Longstreet against Knoxville; 
assisted in the assault on Fort Loudon; lost 10 men killed and wounded 
at Bean's Station; and passed the winter of 1863-64 in East Tennessee, 
suffering incredibly. In May, 1864, it moved to Petersburg, Va., and 
assaulted the enemy at Drury Bluff May 16, losing 12 killed and 50 
wounded. It fought in numerous skirmishes around Richmond, and 
February 5, 1865, sustained considerable loss at Hatcher's Run. April 
2 it fought its last battle on the defenses of Petersburg, losing severely, 
over half its men being captured. It surrendered at Appomattox April 9. 
The Eighteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was formed at 
Camp Trousdale June 11, 1861, of companies from Rutherford, Bedford, 
Davidson, Wilson, Cannon, Sumner and Cheatham Counties, with J. B. 
Palmer, colonel. September 17 it moved to Bowling Green, Ky., and 
February 8, 1862, advanced to the relief of Fort Donelson. At the siege 
two companies of the Eighteenth were the first to engage the enemy. 
After hard fighting the regiment was surrendered February 16. After 
about six months it was exchanged and was reorganized at Jackson, 
Miss., with Palmer as colonel. It was soon transferred to Knoxville to 
invade Kentucky, but instead was moved to Murfreesboro and brigaded 
with the Twenty-sixth and the Thirty-second Regiments and others, 
which last were soon replaced with the Forty-fifth Tennessee. At Mur- 
freesboro it participated in one of the most famous and brilliant charges 
of history with severe loss. Col. Palmer received three wounds. In 
September, 1863, at Chickamauga, it distinguished itself by its furious 
fighting and desperate losses. Col. Palmer was again dangerously 
wounded. Again at Missionary Ridge it fought with its accustomed gal- 
lantry and loss. It wintered at Dalton, and, in 1864, resisted the advance 
of the enemy on numerous bloody fields on the way to Atlanta. Palmer 
was commissioned brigadier-general and given a brigade of the Third, 
Eighteenth, Thirty-second and Forty-fifth Regiments. W. R. Butler be- 
came colonel of the Eighteenth. In a heroic encounter at Atlanta against 
vastly superior numbers the regiment was outflanked and a majority of 
its members captured. The regiment was consolidated with the Third 
under Col. Butler. It fought at Jonesboro and moved north, reaching 
Franklin too late for the battle ; was detached to aid Forrest, and engaged 
the enemy near Murfreesboro and elsewhere; and after Hood's defeat at 



576 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Nashville moved to the Carolinas where it fought at Bentonville and sur- 
rendered at Greensboro. 

The Nineteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment was raised in 
Hamilton, Knox, Polk, Ehea, Hawkins, Washington and Sullivan Coun- 
ties, and was organized in May, 1861, at Knoxville, with David M. Cum- 
mings, colonel. It was first distributed over East Tennessee to do guard 
duty, and about July 1 was united and stationed at Cumberland Gap. It 
marched north on the Kentucky campaign; lost one man killed at Bar- 
boursville; was in reserve at "Wild Cat;" fought bravely at Fishing 
Creek, losing about fifteen killed and wounded. Afterward terrible pri- 
yations and sufferings were endured. It moved to Murfreesboro in Feb- 
ruary, 1862; thence to northern Mississippi; thence to Shiloh, where 
April 6 and 7 it was furiously engaged in the awful assaults on the "Hor- 
net's Nest," losing over 100 killed and wounded, and assisted in the cap- 
ture of Prentiss' division. It was then reorganized and moved to Vicks- 
burg, where, in the swamps, it suffered terribly from disease, and later 
fought at Baton Eouge. It then moved north and joined Bragg's army 
and participated in the sweeping Confederate victory at Murfreesboro 
losing over 125 killed and wounded. It moved south and in September, 
1863, at Chickamauga, fought with magnificent bravery, losing over one- 
third of those engaged. Again at Missionary Ridge, in November, it was 
hotly and stubbornly engaged, sustaining severe loss. In 1864, from 
Dalton to Atlanta, in all the bloody battles of that memorable campaign, 
it fought with conspicuous daring and sorrowful losses. Among the 
slain was the beloved Col. Walker. It did its duty at Jonesboro and 
Lovejoy, and in the awful assault at Franklin shed its best blood without 
stint all over the stricken field. It fought at Nashville, retreated sorrow- 
fully south, skirmishing at Sugar Creek and Pulaski. It fought its last 
battle at Bentonville, and surrendered at High Point, N. C, with sixty - 
four men. 

The Twentieth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Perry and Smith Counties, 
and was organized at Camp Trousdale in June, 1861, with Joel A. Bat- 
tle, colonel. Late in July it was ordered to Virginia, but returned after 
reaching Bristol, and marched north with Zollicoffer on the Kentucky 
^ campaign, skirmishing a-t Barboursville, participating in the action at 
*'Wild Cat," fighting furiously at Fishing Creek, losing 33 killed 
on the field and about 100 wounded. It then moved to northern Mis- 
sissippi and in April participated with splendid valor in the brilliant 
Confederate success at Shiloh, losing 187 men killed and wounded. The 
regiment was then reorganized, moved to Vicksburg, participated in the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 577 

movement there, fought at Baton Eouge, thence marched to Murfrees- 
boro, in which memorable battle it was hotly and f ariously engaged, sus- 
taining a loss of 178 killed and wounded of 350 engaged. Later it fought 
desperately at Hoover's Gap, losing 45 killed and wounded. At bloody 
Chickamauga the Twentieth displayed wonderful dash and pluck, losing 
98 killed and wounded of 140 engaged. At Missionary Eidge it fought 
brilliantly and retreated in good order. It wintered at Dalton and in 
1864, in the famous Georgia campaign, fought with splendid courage at 
Kesaca, Dalton, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Peach Tree 
Creek, Jonesboro and the actions around Atlanta, losing heavily in the 
aggregate. Again at Franklin, in- those awful assaults in the flaming 
teeth of death, it displayed heroic valor and suffered desperate loss. It 
bore its gallant but sorrowful part at Nashville and sadly retreated, 
marching to the Carolinas to almost literally "die in the last ditch." At 
Greensboro, N. C, thirty-four sad men surrendered and returned to 
blighted homes to repair the ravages of war. 

The Twenty -first Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment was raised in 
Shelby and Hardeman Counties about the last of April, 1861, and was 
soon organized with Ed. Pickett, colonel. It reported first to Gen. Cheat- 
ham at Union City, and later moved up to Columbus, Ky. It partici- 
pated in the sharp action at Belmont, November 7, then moved back to 
Columbus and to Union City where it remained a short period; then 
moved southward and finally participated in the furious battle of Shiloh, 
and later was consolidated with the Second Eegiment to form the Fifth 
Confederate Eegiment. 

The Twenty-second Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment was raised in 
the counties of Gibson, Carroll, Dyer, Hardeman and in Kentucky and 
Louisiana, and was organized at Trenton about July 1, 1861, with Thom- 
as J. Freeman, colonel. It operated in West Tennessee and in the 
movement which culminated in the battle of Belmont, November 7, where 
it fought and lost about seventy-five killed and wounded. It returned 
south with the army and located near Corinth. It fought at Shiloh, los- 
ing nearly one-half of those engaged, and displayed great gallantry on 
the field, Col. Freeman being wounded. It then moved back to Corinth, 
where it was re-organized and consolidated with the Twelfth Eegiment 
and thenceforward lost its identity. Col. Freeman served the one year 
of enlistment. The consolidation was commanded by Col. Bell, who be- 
came a brigadier under Forrest. Col. Freeman, at Shiloh, received the 
surrender of Gen. Prentiss, who handed him his sword. 

The Twenty-third Tennessee (Confederate) Eegiment was raised in 
Bedford, Marshall, Eutherford and other counties of Middle Tennessee, 



578 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

and was organized about the middle of July, 1861, with R. H. Keeble, 
colonel. It saw its first service in Virginia, and participated in the en- 
gagement at Drury's Bluff, with a loss of fifteen or twenty killed and 
wounded. After various movements it was engaged in the brilliant and 
furious battle of Shiloh, where it lost severely. It moved north with 
Bragg and fought at Perryville, then turned south and participated at 
Murfreesboro, after which it continued with the Army of the Tennessee 
during the remainder of the war. At Chickamauga it lost heavily. It was 
at Missionary Ridge and in the famous Georgia campaign, after which it 
marched back with Hood into Tennessee, and participated at Franklin 
and Nashville, then moved to North Carolina where it surrendered. At 
Murfreesboro it was in Johnson's brigade of Cleburne's division. 

The Twenty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized 
in June, 1801, at Camp Anderson, near Murfreesboro, and comprised 
twelve companies raised in the counties of Williamson, Rutherford, 
Maury, Bedford, Coffee, Smith, DeKalb, Sumner, Hickman and Perry. 
It was first commanded by Col. R. D. Allison, and later by Col. Bratton 
and Col. John "Wilson. It moved into Kentucky and was stationed at 
Cave City in October. At this time it was in Col. Shaver's brigade of 
Hardee's division. It was in Gen. Strahl's brigade during the most of 
the war. It participated in the pitched battle of Shiloh, losing many, 
and was reorganized at or near Corinth; thence moved via Chattanooga 
on the Kentucky campaign, and was severely engaged at Perryville. It 
then retreated with Bragg's army, and on December 3l, 18G2, partic- 
ipated in the splendid charge at Murfreesboro, losing again heavily. 
It moved south, and in September, 1863, was hotly engaged at bloody 
Chickamauga, and later participated at Missionary Ridge. In 1864: it 
was in all the leading engagements in the famous Georgia campaign, and 
in the aggregate lost heavily. It moved with Hood's army to Jonesboro; 
thence to Tennessee, where it participated at Franklin and Nashville; 
thence moved to North Carolina, and in the spring of 1865 surrendered 
at Greensboro. 

The Twenty -fifth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Overton, White, Putnam and Jackson Counties, and was organized at 
Camp Zollicoffer, near Livingston, early in June, 1861, with S. S. Stan- 
ton, colonel. After several months of discipline it invaded Kentucky to 
break up organizations of Fed.era> home guards, and in January, 1862, 
joined Gen. Zollicoffer at Mill Springs, Ky. , and was engaged in the bat- 
tle of Fishing Creek, suffering considerable loss and displaying great 
dash and pluck. It then moved to Murfreesboro, thence to northern 
Mississippi, where it did important provost duty, and after Shiloh was 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 579 

reorganized, with Stanton, colonel, who was soon succeeded by John M. 
Hughes. It marched to Chattanooga, thence north on Bragg' s Ken- 
tucky campaign ; fought bravely at Perryville, with loss ; thence marched 
to Murfreesboro, in which headlong battle it displayed magnificent fight- 
ing qualities and lost heavily in killed and wounded. It participated at 
Fairfield, Beach Grove and Hoover's Gap, losing heavily at the latter 
battle. At the fierce battle of Chickamauga it distinguished itself, cap- 
turing valuable ordnance and sweeping desperately everything from its 
course. It then moved with Longstreet against Knoxville, fighting at 
Fort Loudon, Bean's Station (twice). Clinch Valley and Fort Sanders, 
suffering severe loss. It passed a winter of intense suffering among the 
mountains of East Tennessee, and in February, 1864, moved to near 
Richmond, Va. It fought desperately at Drury Bluff and in numerous 
engagements around Petersburg and Richmond, displaying its habitual 
brilliancy, and was finally surrendered at Appomattox. 

The Twenty-sixth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Washington, Sullivan, Meigs, Cocke, Grainger, Rhea, Hamilton, Knox 
and Roane Counties, and was organized at Camp Lillard, Knoxville, 
September 6, 1861, with John M. Lillard, colonel. Late in September 
it moved to Bowling Green; thence later to Russellville, Ky., and early 
in February to the relief of Fort Donelson. Here it did its first gallant 
fighting, amid severe loss and heroic personal achievements. It was 
captured, taken to Northern prisons, and exchanged at Vicksburg in Sep- 
tember, 1862. It was reorganized at Knoxville, with Lillard, colonel, 
moved west, and in December, at brilliant Mui'freesboro, fought in the 
furious charges of that famous battle. It moved south, and at Chicka- 
mauga fought with fiery energy, losing heavily. Col. Lillard falling mor- 
tally wounded. R. M. Saffell succeeded him in command. It also did 
meritorious and bloody work at Missionary Ridge, passed the winter of 
1863-64 in northern Georgia, and fought brilliantly in all the leading 
enffasrements down to Atlanta, sufferins^ severe loss. At Joaesboro and 
Lovejoy, and in the Tennessee campaign at bloody Franklin and stubborn 
Nashville, it displayed its accustomed dash and valor. It retreated 
south, and at Benton ville, N. C, lost Col. Saffell, whose successor on the 
field. Col. A. F. Boggess, fell in the same fight. The regiment surren- 
dered in April, 1865. 

The Twenty-seventh Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised 
in Benton, Obion, McNairy, Haywood, Weakley, Carroll, Decatur and 
Henderson Counties, and was organized at Trenton, late in July, 1861, 
with Felix Rebels, colonel. It occupied Camp of Instruction until after 
the battle of Belmont; then moved to Columbus, Ky., and later to Bowling 



580 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Green. Early iu February, 1862, it moved to Nashville; then to Mur- 
freesboro, then to northern Mississippi. In April it fought desperately 
at Shiloh, losing over 100 killed and wounded. It was transferred to 
Chattanooga, and then moved north on the Kentucky campaign. Octo- 
ber 8, at Perryville, it left the bloody field proud of its splendid conduct. 
At Murfreesboro, in December, it assisted in the furious charges which 
swept tlie right wing of the Federals back several miles. At Chicka- 
mauga it fought with superb courage, forcing the enemy back at every 
point, and at Missionary Eidge held its ground long against overvv-helm- 
ing numbers. In the Georgia campaign of 18(31 it fought with its usual 
brilliancy iu all the leading engagements on the retrograde movement to 
Atlanta. Again at Jonesboro and Lovejoy it participated and marched 
north on the ill-fated Tennessee campaign. In the furious and brilliant 
charges at Franklin the gallant regiment steadily carried its streaming 
banner across the bloody field, losing nearly half of those engaged. In 
the stubborn contest for its capital city it bore a heroic part, but was 
overwhelmed and swept back, and then sadly marched down to the Caro- 
linas, where at Bentonville it fought its last battle. It surrendered in 
April, 1865. 

The Twenty-eighth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Wilson, Putnam, Jackson, White and Smith Counties, and was organized 
at Camp Zollicoffer, Overton County, in August, 1861, with John P. 
Murray, colonel. After destroying Federal supplies the regiment joined 
Gen. Zollicoffer and fought at Fishing Creek with the loss of 10 men. 
It then moved south to northern Mississippi, and in April, 1862, partici- 
pated in the brilliant movements at Shiloh, with the loss of over 100 of its 
best men. It then moved south and finally fought at Baton Rouge and 
Port Hudson, displaying brilliant and meritorious courage. It then 
joined Bragg's campaign to Kentucky, and fought at Perryville; then 
moved south and engaged the enemy in the brilliant charge at Murfrees- 
boro. It w^s reorganized with S. S. Stanton, colonel, and consolidated 
with the Eighty-fourth. At Chickamauga it fought its hardest and grand- 
est battle, losing 230 killed and wounded, and covering itself with im- 
perishable glory. It skirmished around Chattanooga and did guard 
duty in East Tennessee. In the Georgia campaign it was engaged in all 
the principal contests, losing heavily, and in Hood's Tennessee campaign 
distinguished itself for courage and hardihood, displaying rare daring 
and valor on Franklin's bloody field. After the battle of Nashville it 
moved south, and after Bentonville was surrendered in North Carolina. 
The Twenty-ninth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was composed 
of companies from Greene, Bradley, Hawkins, Polk, Claiborne, Hancock 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 581 

and Washington Counties, and was organized at Henderson's Mills, 
Greene County, in July, 1861, with Samuel Powell, colonel. It did 
guard duty in East Tennessee until December, and then joined ZoUi- 
coffer at Mill Springs, and January 19 met the enemy at the battle of 
Fishing Creek, where Col, Powell was permanently disabled. It marched 
to northern Mississippi via Murfreesboro, and remained at luka during 
the battle of Shiloh. It skirmished around Corinth, moved to Chatta- 
nooga ; thence north on the Kentucky campaign, being commanded by 
Horace Kice, who had succeeded Arnold, met the enemy at Perryville ; 
thence marched to Murfreesboro, where it exhibited splendid intrepidity 
and courage, losing 36 killed on the field and 136 wounded. At Chicka- 
mauga it was held much in reserve, but lost, killed and wounded 32. 
At Missionary Ridge it did gallant work and was complimented on the 
field by Gens. Cheatham and Hardee. In 1864 at Dalton, Rocky Face 
Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and around Atlanta 
it was prominently engaged. It participated at Jonesboro and Lovejoy; 
and in Hood's Tennessee campaign at Franklin its gallant action was 
surpassed by no other regiment, its dead and wounded lying scattered 
over its bloody path. It fought at Nashville, retreated south with the army, 
and fought late in the day at Bentonville. It surrendered at Greensboro 
April 26. 

The Thirtieth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Davidson, Sumner, Robertson and Smith Counties, and was organized 
early in October with J. W. Head, colonel. In November it moved to 
Fort Donelson, and February 18 to 16 was prominently engaged and was 
surrendered on the 16th and taken to Northern prisons. They were ex- 
changed the following July, were reorganized at Camp Jackson with J. 
J. Turner as colonel, moved to Holly Springs, thence to Grenada, thence 
to Yicksburg, fought bravely at Chickasaw Bayou, doing the enemy 
great damage. It then moved to Port Hudson, thence to Jackson. At 
Raymond May 12, 1863, the regiment fought with great skill and desper- 
ation against superior numbers, losing about seventy-five killed and 
wounded, and then retreated to Jackson. After various movements it 
participated, September 19 and 20, at the fearful contest at Chickamauga, 
displaying wonderful dash and staying qualities, and losing killed and 
wounded about half of those engaged. At Missionary Ridge it was hot- 
ly and gallantly engaged, losing severely. Winter was passed at Dalton. 
In 1864, from Dalton to Jonesboro, in all the bloody principal engage- 
ments, the Thirtieth sustained its high honor and courage and in the ag- 
gregate lost many splendid men. At Jonesboro the regiment in heroic 
action lost one-third of its troops. In the unfortunate campaign of Gen. 



582 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

Hood into Tennessee the regiment participated at Murfreesboro, Frank- 
lin and Nashville further distinguishing itself in the bloody art of war. 
It marched dowft to the Carolinas to fight its last battle at Bentonville 
and surrendered April 26. 

The Thirty-first Tennessee (Confederate, West Tennessee) Regiment 
was raised in Weakley, Haywood, Madison, McNairy and Decatur 
Counties, and was organized during the summer of 1861 with A. H. 
Bradford, colonel, and November 29 marched for Columbus, Ky., where 
it remained until the surrender of Fort Donelson in February, 1862; 
thence moved to Tiptonville, thence to Fort Pillow, and, after the battle 
of Shiloh, to Corinth. Later it was moved to Chattanooga, and then 
moved north campaigning through Kentucky with Bragg. At Perry ville 
the regiment had its first heavy engagement, displaying great gallantry 
and losing many valuable soldiers. Egbert E. Tansil succeeded Brad- 
ford as colonel. It marched south with the army and December 31 
fought with conspicuous courage at Murfreesboro, and retreated south 
with the army, and in September, 1863, fought in the awful battle of 
Chickamauga, losing nearly half its men. In 1864:, in the Georgia 
campaign, it was engaged in nearly all the principal battles, losing 
heavily in the aggregate. In the Tennessee campaign of Hood it fought 
at Franklin, losing over half the number engaged. Col. Stafford was 
killed on the enemy's line, to which he had penetrated. Again it fought 
at Nashville, thence moved to North Carolina, where it surrendered. 

The Thirty-first Tennessee (Confederate, East Tennessee) Regiment 
was raised in Jefferson, Blount and Knox Counties, and was organized 
March 28, 1862, with W. M. Bradford, colonel, and was reorganized 
May 3. It did guard duty in East Tennessee and at Cumberland Gap, 
joined Bragg at Harrodsburg after the battle of Perryville, and late in 
December moved to Vicksburg, in the vicinity of which it participated in 
numerous expeditions and skirmishes, and in the siege of that city where 
the soldiers were almost starved to death and finally captured. In 
September, 1863, the regiment was exchanged and late in that year was 
transformed into cavalry, and as such brigaded under Gen. Vaughn. It' 
did service in East Tennessee, recruited in North Carolina, part was 
sent to Virginia and while there fought at Kernstown, Martinsburgh, 
Hagerstown, Winchester, Piedmont and elsewhere, losing heavily. 
Later the united regiment was engaged at Marion, Saltville, Morristown, 
Bull's Gap, Greeneville and elsewhere. Marching to join Lee in the 
spring of 1865, it was learned that he had surrendered and Gen. Echols 
disbanded his command, but this regiment with others refused, and 
marched to North Carolina and joined President Davis, and was his 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 583 

escort when all were captured. The regiment was paroled at Wash- 
ington, Ga. 

The Thirtj-second Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Giles, Lawrence, Williamson, Lincoln, Marshall and Franklin Counties, 
and was organized at Camp Trousdale during the summer of 1861 with 
Edmund E. Cook, colonel. About September it was moved to East Ten- 
nessee, where it did patrol duty around Chattanooga and Bridgeport, 
Ala. Late in December it moved to Bowling Green, Ky., thence in 
February, 1862, to Russellville ; thence to Clarksville, and thence to 
Fort Donelson, where from the 13th to the 16th of February it partici- 
pated in all the daring movements of the siege with severe loss, and was 
captured with the fort. After about six months the regiment was ex- 
changed at Yicksburg. It was reorganized about October 1, with E. 
Cook, colonel, and moved to Murfreesboro via Knoxville, and during the 
battle was posted at Wartrace. It wintered at Tullahoma, endured a 
terrible forced march in June, moved to Chattanooga with Bragg in July, 
and fought with superb courage and coolness in the awful conflict at 
Chickamauga with heavy loss. Again it was engaged at Lookout Moun- 
tain, and in November at Missionary Ridge, where it fought with its 
accustomed gallantry. It wintered at Dalton, and in 1864 participated 
in the famous Georgia campaign, fighting in all the leading battles 
down to Atlanta with heavy loss in the aggregate. It fought desperately 
and with grievous loss at Jonesboro, and marched north to invade Ten- 
nessee under Hood, but reached bloody Franklin too late for the battle. 
It participated in the action at Nashville, retreated south skirmishing on 
the way, fought its last battle at Bentonville, N. C. and surrendered 
with Gen. Johnston. 

The Thirty -third Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Weakley, Obion, Madison and other counties, and was organized at Union 
City October 18, 1861, with A. W. Campbell, colonel. In January, 1862 
it marched to Columbus, Ky., where it wintered; then moved south into 
northern Mississippi, and in April met the enemy on the furious field of 
Shiloh, and attested its courage in its desperate charges and its loss of 
nearly 200 men killed and wounded out of about 500 engaged. The reg- 
iment moved back to Corinth, and later, via Chattanooga, invaded Ken- 
tucky under Gen. Bragg, and at Perryville, in October, fought with mag- 
nificent bravery, suffering heavy losses. After this it moved south with 
Bragg, and at Murfreesboro bore an honorable part, losing many noble 
men. At Chickamauga it assisted in the awful charges which beat back 
the Federal hosts. It fought at Missionary Ridge and retreated south, 
wintering at Dalton, and in 1864 participated in the series of bloody and 



584 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

memorable battles from that point to Atlanta, shedding the blood of it& 
bravest boys in defense of the cause which to them seemed right. It 
marched north with Hood; was at Franklin and Nashville; thence marched 
south, and finally surrendered in North Carolina in April, 1865. 

The Thirty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised part- 
ly in Middle Tennessee and partly in East Tennessee, and was organized 
during the autumn of 1861, with William Churchwell, colonel. It 
first saw service in East Tennessee, where it remained for a considerable 
period engaged in outpost duty. It finally participated in tlie Kentucky 
campaign, and later joined the army of Bragg in time for the battle of 
Murfreesboro, in which desperate engagement it was conspicuously act- 
ive, losing severely in killed and wounded. It moved south with the re- 
treating army, and after various movements was engaged in the bloody 
battle of Chickamauga, in September, 1863, where it behaved gallantly 
and lost severely. In 186-4 it participated in the actions of the Georgia 
campaign, terminating at i^tlanta, and then moved back into Tennessee 
with Hood, taking part in his bloody battles. It then moved south with 
the army, and finally surrendered in North Carolina. 

The Thirty-fifth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Grundy, Sequatchie, Warren, Cannon, Bledsoe and Van Buren, and was 
organized in the autumn of 1861, with B. J. Hill, colonel. About the 
first of the year 1863 it moved to Bowling Green, Ky., and after the sur- 
render of Fort Donelson marched south with the army to northern Mis- 
sissippi, and early in April participated in the battle of Shiloh, with 
heavy loss. Its charges were brilliant, sweeping and destructive. It 
then skirmished around Corinth, fighting with heroic desperation at 
Shelton Hill amid a terrible fire. It was complimented for this in gen- 
eral orders by Gen. Beauregard. It moved with Bragg on the Ken- 
tucky campaign, meeting the enemy again at Richmond and Perryville, 
displaying its usual heroism. At Murfreesboro it was hotly engaged, 
suffering severely, and again, in September, 1863, at brilliant Chicka- 
mauga sustained itself with distinguished valor. It did important pro- 
vost or guard duty throughout northern Alabama, and finally surrendered 
at Chattanooga in the spring of 1865. 

The Thirty-sixtli, Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Tennessee Regiments 
were only partly organized, and in the main saw detached duty. The first 
was commanded by Col. Morgan, the second by Col. Avery. The last was 
at Fort Pillow in January, 1862. Col. Avery was at Bowling Green in 
December, 1861, and Col. Morgan at Cumberland Gap in March, 1862. 

The Thirty-seventh Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Hamilton, Jefferson, Grainger, Blount, Sevier, Claiborne, Coffee and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 585 

Washington Counties, in northern Georgia and. in Alabama, and was or- 
ganized in October, 1861, at Camp Eamsey, near Knoxville, with W. H. 
Carroll, colonel. At Germantown, West Tennessee, to which point it 
was transferred, it drilled for about a month. In November it moved to 
Chattanooga, It marched north and was present at the battle of Fish- 
ing Creek, but did not participate in the main battle, losing only five or 
six killed and wounded. It then moved south via Murfreesboro to north- 
ern Mississipi, and occupied Burnsville during the battle of Shiloh, 
The regiment did valuable picket service around Corinth, In July it 
moved to Mobile, Montgomery, Atlanta, Dalton, Chickamauga Station, 
Chattanooga, and thence on the Kentucky campaign, and October 8, at 
Perryville, was hotly engaged. It then marched south, and in October 
reached Murfeesboro, where, December 31, it was engaged in that battle 
in the hottest part, losing about half its members killed and wounded. 
It then moved to Chattanooga, The following June it was consolidated 
with the Fifteenth under the latter name, and so lost its old existence. 

The Thirty-eighth Tennessee Confederate Regiment was raised in 
Madison, Fayette, Shelby and other West Tennessee counties, in Wilson 
County, and in Georgia and Alabama, and was organized in September, 
1861, with Robert F, Looney, of Memphis, colonel. It moved first to 
Chattanooga, thence later to Knoxville, where it was stationed at the 
date of the battle of Fishing Creek, Kentucky, having no arms with 
Avhich to assist Gen, ZoUicoffer. It was finally ordered to luka, Miss,, 
thence to Eastport, thence to Corinth, and was brigaded first with Gen, 
Gladden, and later with Gen, Preston Pond, with Louisiana troops. It 
moved up and fought at Shiloh, losing ninety killed and wounded. It 
moved with Bragg to Perryville, where it fought, and was soon after re- 
organized, with John C, Carter, colonel. It moved back and fought at 
Murfreesboro; thence marched down to Chickamauga, where it distin- 
guished itself. It was at Missionary Ridge, and in 1864 engaged in the 
Georgia campaign with heavy loss. It came north with Hood, fought 
at Franklin, where Gen, Carter was killed, and at Nashville, then marched 
south, and in 1865 surrendered in North Carolina. 

The Forty-first Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Frank- 
lin, Lincoln, Bedford and Marshall Counties, and was organized at Camp 
Trousdale in November, 1861, with Robert Farquharson, colonel. In 
December it moved to Bowling Green; thence to Fort Donelson, where 
it fought gallantly and was captured by the enemy. In September, 1862, 
it was exchanged at Vicksburg, and was reorganized with Farquharson 
colonel. After various expeditions the regiment was transferred, in Jan- 
uary, 1863, to Port Hudson. In May it moved north, where, at Ray- 



586 HISTOllY OF TENNESSEE. 

mond, it met the enemy in a sharp battle, and afterward in that vicinity 
and around Jackson participated in several severe fights and numerous 
skirmishes. It was at Yazoo City when Vicksburg surrendered. Early in 
September it marched east to Chickamauga, and was in the hottest part 
of that gigantic and desperate battle. Many of its bravest were stretched 
dead u^wn the field. It wintered near Dalton, and in 18G4, in the 
Georgia campaign, was engaged in all the principal engagements down 
to Atlanta, fighting gallantly and losing heavily. At Jonesboro it also 
fought, and on the Tennessee campaign at Franklin was not surpassed in 
desperate fighting by any other regiment. It finally surrendered in 
North Carolina. During the war it lost more men on picket duty than 
in battle. 

The Forty-second Tennessee Confederate Kegiment was raised under 
the first call in Cheatham, Montgomery and other counties, and five com- 
panies in Alabama, and was organized about the 1st of October, 1861, with 
W. A. Quarles, colonel. It occupied Camps Cheatham and Sevier, and 
in February reached Fort Donelson just in time for the battle, in which 
it distinguished itself and lost severely. It was captured, and in Sep- 
tember, 1862, was exchanged at Vicksburg, and soon reorganized at Clin- 
ton, Miss. Quarles was re-elected colonel. Here five companies from 
West Tennessee took the place of the five Alabama companies. In 
March, 1863, I. N. Hulme became colonel, vice Quarles promoted. It 
participated in various movements in Mississippi before the surrender of 
Yicksburg and during the seige. It then moved on sundry expeditions, 
and in 1864: joined the campaign through Georgia, and was engaged at 
New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Smyrna Depot, Peach Tree 
Creek, Atlanta and Lick Skillet road, losing in the aggregate lieavil}'. 
In Hood's bloody campaign the regiment at Franklin, in those awful as- 
saults, left about half its numbers killed and wounded upon the field. 
This was its most desperate battle, and here it exhibited superb courage. 
It participated in the stubborn contest at Nashville, and moved south with 
the army, and finally surrendered in North Carolina in April, 1865. 

The Forty-third Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
the counties of Hamilton, Rhea, Meigs, Polk, Bledsoe, Jefferson, Roane, 
Bradley, Hawkins and McMinn, and was organized in November, 1861, 
with J. W. Gillespie, colonel. Its firs\; service was guard duty in East 
Tennessee until the reorganization in Ma}', 1862. After various move- 
ments and thorough drill at Charleston, it was, in August, sent to Hum- 
phrey Marshall's brigade in Virginia. It soon afterward joined Bragg's 
Kentucky campaign, but was in no noteworthy engagement. In Decem- 
ber it was transferred to Vicksburg and was subjected to hard service. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 587 

and in May, 1863, moved to Port Gibson to oppose Grant's advance. It 
fought at Champion Hill and covered the retreat to Vicksburg. It 
fought often during the siege, always with dash and daring, losing heav- 
ily in the aggregate. It surrendered early in July, and was soon ex- 
changed and was ordered to re-enforce Longstreet, who was beseiging 
Knoxville. During the winter the regiment was mounted, and in the 
spring of 1864 did outpost duty in East Tennessee, skirmishing often 
and losing severely. It was engaged at Piedmont, losing several men. 
In Virginia it was often engaged, moving with Early around Washing- 
ton and fighting at Winchester, Monocacy, Cedar Creek, Fisherville, 
White Post, Kerustown, Darksville and Martinsburg. In the fall of 
1864 it returned to East Tennessee. It fousfht at Morristown, losing 
heavily ; raided Russelville with success ; during the winter it did out- 
post duty. In the spring it learned of Lee's surrender and then moved 
south to join Johnson, but at Charlotte met President Davis and served 
as his escort until his capture. It was paroled in May, 1865. 

The Forty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Bedford, Grundy, Lincoln, Franklin and Coffee Counties, and was organ- 
ized at Camp Trousdale in December, 1861, with C. A. McDaniel, 
colonel. It soon moved to Bowling Green, and early in February, 1862, 
to Nashville, thence to Murfreesboro, tlience to Corinth, where it arrived 
March 20. In April it marched north and fought gallantly at bloody 
Shiloh, losing 350 killed, wounded, captured and missing out of 470 en- 
gaged. It reorganized at Corinth and with it was consolidated the rem- 
nant of the Fifty-fifth Regiment. Late in July it moved to Chattanooga, 
thence north to invade Kentucky, and October 8 fought desperately at 
PerryviUe, losing 42 killed and wounded. It suffered in that awful re- 
treat south. September 19 and 20, 1863, at Chattanooga the regiment 
fought heroically and charged the enemy with terrible effect, losing 
severely. It was soon detached and sent with Longstreet to besiege 
Knoxville. It fought at Bean's Station and elsewhere and went into 
winter quarters at Morristown. In May, 1864, it moved to Richmond 
Va., and was engaged at Drury's Bluff, Petersburg, Walthall's Junction 
and elsewhere besides numerous skirmishes, and was finally surrendered 
and paroled. 

The Forty-fifth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in the 
counties of Wilson (Companies B, F, G and H), Williamson (A), and 
Rutherford (D, C, E and I), and was organized at Camp Tiousdale, Sum- 
ner County in the autumn of 1861, with Addison Mitchell, colonel. After 
various movements, during which it did duty in Mississippi and Louisiana, 
it joined the army of Gen. A. S. Johnston and participated in the brilliant 



S88 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Confederate victory at Shiloli, losing heavily in killed and wound- 
ed. Company A suffered a loss of 7 killed and about twice as many 
wounded. It was reorganized at Corintli and was then placed on de- 
tached duty for some time, after which it participated in the Kentucky 
•campaign, and later was engaged in the headlong charges at Murfrees- 
boro, where it again lost severely. It moved southward; fought in the 
hottest of the awful battle of Chickamauga and again at Missionary Ridge, 
and in 1864, in many of the general engagements, on the movement to 
Atlanta, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca (two) Powder Springs, Atlanta and 
Jonesboro and then at Columbia; second Murfreesboro, and in 1865, at 
Benton ville, N. C, where it surrendered. 

The Forty-sixth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
West Tennessee, almost all the entire force going from Henry County, 
and was organized late in 1861, with J. M. Clarke, colonel. It partici- 
pated in the movement of Gen. Pillow up the Mississippi, was at Colum- 
bus and Island No. 10, and later at Port Hudson, where it lost several 
men, killed and wounded. For a time it was part of Stewart's brigade. 
Many of the regiment were captured and died in prison at Camj) Doug- 
las and elsewhere. It participated in the Kentucky campaign under 
Gen. Bragg, losing a few men killed and wounded at Perryville. It par- 
ticipated with the Army of Tennessee in all the principal movements of 
that command, engaging the enemy in numerous places and losing in the 
aggregate heavily. It was finally consolidated with other regiments. 

The Forty-seventh Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized 
late in 1861, with M. R. Hill, colonel, and was raised in the counties of 
Obion, Gibson and Dyer, and first participated in the movements of Gen. 
Polk's army succeeding the battle of Belmont. It moved southward and 
joined the army, and finally, in April, 1862, engaged the enemy at Shiloh. 
Later it participated in the actions around Corinth, and finally marched 
with Bragg into Kentucky, fighting at Richmond and skirmishing else- 
where. It returned to Tennessee, and just before the battle of Murfrees- 
boro was consolidated with the Twelfth Regiment. 

The Forty-eighth Tennessee (Confederate, Yoorhees) Regiment was 
raised in Maury, Hickman and Lewis Counties, and was organized in 
December, 1861, with W. M. Voorhees, colonel. It moved to Clarks- 
ville, thence to Danville, thence to Fort Henry, and after the evacuation 
there, to Fort Donelson, where, after fighting in that historical action, it 
surrendered. After about six months it was exchanged at Vicksburg, 
was reorganized at Jackson with Voorhees again colonel. A portion of 
the regiment, on details, in hospitals and on furlough, had escaped the 
capture at Fort Donelson, and with five companies from Wayne and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 589 

Lawrence Counties, had served under Col. Nixon until December, 1862, 
when the old regiment was reunited, the portion that had been captured 
having been incorporated with the Third from the exchange in August 
until the reunion. It was at the bombardment of Post Hudson, in March, 
1863, and at the engagements in and around Jackson about the middle 
of July. After various movements it reached Dalton, Ga,, November 26. 
January, 1861, it moved to Mobile, thence joined Polk's army, thence to 
Meridian, thence to Mobile, thence joined Joe Johnston at New Hope 
Church, May 27, 1864 It fought at New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, 
Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Lick Skillet Road, losing in the 
aggregate very heavily, particularly at the last named engagement, where 
it lost half its men. It was in all of Hood's engagements on his Ten- 
nessee campaign except Franklin. It was active and valiant at Nash- 
ville. In several small skirmishes detachments of the regiment fought 
with severe loss and great bravery. It was at Benton ville, N. C, and 
surrendered in the spring of 1865. 

The Forty-eighth Tennessee (Confederate, Nixon) Regiment was 
raised in Middle Tennessee, and organized late in 1861, with G. H. Nixon, 
colonel. After various duties it participated in the campaign against 
Louisville, and was engaged at Richmond, where it lost several men 
killed and wounded. It continued with the army until it was found that 
the forces at Louisville had been heavily reinforced, then turned back, 
and October 8 fought at Perryville, losing several men. It was in vari- 
ous movements subsidiary to those of the Army of Tennessee, was at 
Murfreesboro, and in September, 1863, at Chickamauga, where it lost 
severely, and exhibited great gallantry on the field. After this it par- 
ticipated in all the principal movements of the Army of Tennessee — in 
many of the battles on the Georgia campaign, and finally took part in 
the actions around Atlanta and the invasion of Tennessee by Hood. 
After many vicissitudes, it finally surrendered in the spring of 1865 in 
North Carolina. 

The Forty-ninth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Montgomery, Dickson, Robertson, Benton and Cheatham Counties, and 
was organized in December, 1861, with James E. Bailey, colonel. It 
moved to Fort Donelson where it was hotly engaged in the various des- 
perate movements of that action, and was surrendered with the army. It 
was exchanged in September, 1862, at Vicksburg, was reorganized at 
Clinton with Bailey, colonel. It was at Port Hudson during the bom- 
bardment of March, 1863 ; thence moved to Jackson, where, in July, it 
fought in the several engagements there ; thence moved to Mobile, where 
IV. F. Young became colonel. It then moved north and joined Bragg 

37 



590 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

at Missionary Ridge, too late for the battle; thence marched to Daltonj 
thence back to Mobile and Mississippi, and back to Johnston's army, at 
New Hope Church, where it fought May 27, 1864. It was afterward en- 
gaged at Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Depot, Peach Tree 
Creek, Atlanta, Lick Skillet Road and elsewhere, losing at the last 
named battle 76 killed, 400 wounded and 19 missing. Here it was 
consolidated with the Forty-second Regiment. Tt moved north with 
Hood, engaging in all the battles and skirmishes of his disastrous cam- 
paign. At the awful charges of Franklin it fought with great nerve and 
desperation, losing 20 killed, 36 wounded and 36 missing out of 130 
engaged. It was engaged at Nashville and then retreated south, fight- 
ing at Lynnville, Sugar Creek, Anthony's Hill and elsewhere, and join- 
ing Johnson's army in North Carolina, where, at Bentonville, it fought 
its last battle and was surrendered with the army. 

The Fiftieth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in Mont- 
gomery, Stewart, Cheatham and Humphreys Counties, and was organ- 
ized on Christmas Day, 1861, at Fort Donelson, with G. "W. Stacker, 
colonel. In January it moved over to assist Fort Henry, and February 
6 returned to Fort Donelson and assisted in the contest there which re- 
sulted in the surrender. Nearly half of the regiment escaped capture. 
In September, 1862, the regiment was exchanged and was reorganized 
at Jackson, Miss. ; C. A. Sugg became colonel. It then operated in 
Mississippi, skirmishing several times. In November it was consolida- 
ted with the First Tennessee Battalion. It was at the bombardment of 
Port Hudson. In May, 1863, it moved to Jackson, and May 12 took an 
active part in the battle of Raymond. It also fought at Jackson. In 
September it joined Bragg in Georgia. On the way, in a railroad 
accident, 13 men were killed, and 75 wounded. The regiment reached 
Chickamauga in time to take an active part. It was in the bloodi- 
est part of that awful contest, losing 132 of 186 engaged. Col. T. 
W. Beaumout was killed, and Maj. C. W. Robertson took command, 
but was mortally wounded. November 25, at Mission Ridge, the regi- 
ment was again cut to pieces. Col. Sugg of the brigade being mortally 
wounded. The regiment was then consolidated with the Fourth Con- 
federate Regiment (Tennessee). It wintered at Dalton, and in the 
spring and summer of 1864 fought at Resaca, Calhoun Station, Adairs- 
ville, Kingston, New Hope Church, "Dead Angle," Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro and elsewhere, losing many valuable men. It moved 
north, fought at Franklin and Nashville, then marched to North Carolina, 
where, in April, 1865, it surrendered. 

The Fifty-first Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized at 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 591 

Henderson early in 18G2, witli eight companies, four from Shelby and 
Tipton Counties, and four from Madison and Henderson Counties. It 
was first commanded by Col. Browder. It participated in the siege of 
Forts Henry and Donelson, at which time it was only a battalion, and 
at the latter battle was assigned to artillery service, and consisted of only 
about sixty effective men. Col. Browder and part of the battalion were 
captured, but the lieutenant-colonel, John Chester, gathered the remain- 
der together and with two other companies from Madison and Tipton, 
reorganized and moved to Corinth doing provost duty during the battle 
of Shiloh. It was then consolidated with the Fift3^-second, with John 
Chester, colonel. On the Kentucky campaign it fought at Perryville, 
doing splendid execution, and losing 8 killed and about 30 wounded. 
At Murfreesboro it captured a battery and about 600 prisoners. At 
Shelbyville many of the men captured at Donelson rejoined the regiment. 
It was engaged at bloody Chickamauga with great gallantry, and again 
at Missionary Ridge. In many of the battles from Dalton to Atlanta it 
participated, and later at Franklin and Nashville lost very heavily. 
A small remnant was surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. 

The Fifty-second Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
West Tennessee late in 1861, and was organized with B. J. Lea as colo- 
nel. In January, 1862, it was stationed to guard the Tennessee railroad 
bridge, by order of Gen. Polk. It participated in the battles at Fort 
Donelson, and was then stationed at Henderson's Station, in West Ten- 
nessee, where it remained until ordered to Corinth in March, 1862. It 
moved with the army to Shiloh, and of its action in that battle Gen. 
Chalmers, its brigade commander, reported as follows: "A few skirmish- 
ers of the enemy advanced secretly and fired upon the Fifty-second, 
which broke and fled in the most shameful confusion, and all efforts to 
rally it were without avail, and it was ordered out of the lines, where it 
remained during the balance of the engagement, except companies com- 
manded by Russell and Wilson, which gallantly fought in the Fifth 
Mississippi Regiment." In many a bloody battle afterward it redeemed 
itself nobly. It was consolidated with the Fifty-first, and was at Perry- 
ville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and in all the general engagements of 
the Georgia campaign; came back with Hood and fought at Franklin, 
Nashville and elsewhere, and marched down to North Carolina, where it 
surrendered April, 1865. 

The Fifty-third Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized 
late in the year 1861, into a battalion under the command of Col. Ed Aber- 
nathy. It was present at the battles and assaults of Fort Donelson and 
fought on the left wing, showing great gallantry, repulsing two headlong 



592 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

cliarges. It had at this time about 200 effective men. It was captured 
and seems then to have lost its identity. It was probably consolidated 
with other commands. 

The Fifty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized 
at Nashville during the autumn of 1861, and comprised companies from 
the counties of Lawrence, Wayne and probably others. Upon the organ- 
ization William Dearing was chosen colonel. The regiment moved first 
into Kentucky to assist in repelling the Federal advance, but early in 
February, 1862, was ordered to Fort Donelson, in the siege of which it 
was actively engaged. It succeeded in making its escape, but became 
almost disbanded. The portion that remained was formed into a 
I)attalion at Corinth, and placed under the command of Col. Nixon. 
Later the battalion was consolidated with the Forty-eighth Regi- 
ment. 

The Fifty-fifth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in the 
counties of Davidson, Williamson, Smith, Bedford and Lincoln, and was 
organized in November, 1861, under Col. A. J. Brown. It participated 
at Fort Donelson and was reorganized at Corinth. It was engaged at 
Shiloh, where it lost very heavily in killed and wounded. Col. McCoen 
was succeeded by Col. Reed, who was mortally wounded in December, 
1862. After Shiloh it was consolidated with the Forty-fourth Regi- 
ment. 

The Fifty-ninth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
East Tennessee during the winter of 1861-62, and was mustered into the 
service with J. B. Cooke, colonel. It did duty in various commands in 
Tennessee and Kentucky, and finally, about January 1, 1863, became 
connected with the Confederate force at Vicksburg, and was brigaded 
with the Third Confederate, the Thirty-first and the Forty -third under 
Gen. A. W. Reynolds in Stevenson's division. After this its record is the 
same as that of the Third Regiment. The regiment was commanded 
much of its term of service by Col. W. L. Eakin 

The Sixtieth Tennessee (Confederate') Regiment was organized in 
East Tennessee in the autumn of 1862, with John H. Crawford, colonel. 
Soon after its organization it was assigned to the brigade of John C. 
Yaughn and ordered to Mississippi and Louisiana, and thereafter, during 
the remainder of the war, its record is similar to that of Yaughn' s brigade. 
It was engaged at Jackson, and against Sherman's movement on Yicks- 
burg. During the siege of that city it garrisoned the Confederate works. 
It also assisted gallantly in opposing the advance of Gen. Grant from 
below Yicksburg. At Big Black Bridge it lost severely and fought 
against great odds. July 4, 1863, it was surrendered with Pemberton's 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 593 

army, after liaving reached tlie point of starvation. It was finally ex- 
changed, and then joined Gen. Longstreet in his movement against 
Knoxville. It was mounted in December, 1863, and spent the winter of 
1863-04 guarding the front and in recruiting, and in the spring ad- 
vanced into Virginia and fought at Piedmont. It was at Lynchburg, 
Williamsport, and along the Potomac and the Shenandoah Eivers, and 
was engaged in western Virginia when the news of Gen. Lee's surrender 
was received. The gallant regiment resolved to join Johnston, and ac- 
cordingly rendezvoused at Charlotte, but finally surrendered with 
Vaughn's brigade. 

The Sixty-first Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Hawkins, Sullivan, Greene, Jefferson, Washington, Grainger and Clai- 
borne Counties, and was organized at Henderson Mills, in Greene 
County, in November, 1862, with F. E. Pitts, colonel. It almost imme- 
diately became part of Vaughn's brigade, with which it served during 
the remainder of the war. (See Sixtieth Regiment.) 

The Sixty-second Tennessee Regiment was organized late in 1862, 
with John A. Rowan, colonel, and was soon assigned to Vaughn's brig- 
ade, with which it served during the rest of the war. 

The Sixty-third Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was raised in 
Washington, Roane, Hancock, Claiborne, Loudon, Hawkins and Sullivan 
Counties, and was organized July 30, 1862, with R. G. Fain, colonel. It 
operated in East Tennessee and was under the active or immediate com- 
mand of Lieut. -Col. W. H. Fulkerson. After various movements it 
joined Bragg in Middle Tennessee in June, 1863, but only to retreat 
with his army to Chattanooga. It was then ordered to Knoxville, thence 
to Strawberry Plains, but late in August it moved back in time to par- 
ticipate in the great battle of Chickamauga, which, though its first en- 
gagement, was fought with splendid daring and discipline. It lost 47 
killed and 155 wounded, out of 404 engaged. It was then detached 
with Longstreet to operate against Knoxville. It fought at Fort 
Sanders, Bean s Station, where it lost 18 killed and wounded, and win- 
tered in East Tennessee. It was moved to Virginia, fought at Drury 
Bluff, where it lost 150 men, at Walthall's Junction, at Petersburg, and 
elsewhere, losing many men. April 2, 1865, a portion was captured, and 
the remainder surrendered at Appomattox. 

The Eighty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized 
at McMinnville during the early winter of 1862, with S. S. Stanton, 
colonel, and was raised in the counties of Smith, White, Jackson, Put- 
nam, DeKalb, Overton and Lincoln. In three days after its organization 
and in twelve hours after reaching Murfreesboro, it participated in that 



59-4: HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

furious engagement, where tlie right wing of Eosecranz was routed from 
the field. It moved back to TuUahama, and was here consolidated with 
the Twenty-eighth Regiment. (See sketch of the twenty-eighth.) 

The One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Tennessee (Confederate) Regi- 
ment was organized at Memphis in 1860, before the war broke out, and 
was reorganized soon after the fall of Sumter with Preston Smith, colonel. 
Seven companies were raised in Memphis, one in Henry County, one 
in McNairy County, and one in Hardeman County. It first marched to 
Randolph in May, 1861, and after various movements marched north and 
participated in the battle of Belmont, and afterward moved south into 
Kentucky, and after the surrender of Fort Donelson to northern Missis- 
sippi, and in April fought at bloody Shiloh with severe loss. It was 
then at Corinth until the evacuation, then marched north with Bragg on 
the Kentucky campaign, fighting at Richmond, Ky., with great loss, and 
at Perryville, October 8. It marched south with the army, reaching 
Murfreesboro where, December 31, it was hotly engaged, losing over a 
third of those engaged. It retreated to Chattanooga, Whence to Chick- 
amauga, where it fought in that great battle in September, and later at 
Missionary Ridge. It wintered at Dalton, and in 1861, in the Georgia 
campaign, fought in all the principal battles down to Atlanta, losing in 
the aggregate many valuable men. It marched north with Hood and 
invaded Tennessee, fighting at Franklin, Nashville and elsewhere, and re- 
treating south out of the State. It marched to the Carolinas, partici- 
pated in the action at Bentonville, and surrendered in April, 1865. 

In addition to the above organizations there were about twenty cav- 
alry regiments whose movements it has been almost impossible to trace. 
About eighteen battalions of cavalry were in the Confederate service 
from Tennessee. Many of the battalions^ which had first served as such 
and perhaps independently, were consolidated to form regiments. Aside 
from this there were numerous independent cavalry companies or squads 
organized in almost every county of the State to assist the Confederate 
cause. The leading cavalry organizations of the State served mainly 
with the commands of Gens. Wheeler, Wharton and Forrest. 

The artillery organizations of the State were so often changed, and 
have left such obscure records, that no attempt will be made here to trace 
their movements. They were in nearly all the artillery duels of the Mis- 
sissippi department. The following is an imperfect list of the Tennes- 
see battei'ies: Colms' Battery, Capt. S. H. Colms; Appeal Battery, Capt. 
W. N. Hogg; Bankhead's Battery, Capt. S. P. Bankhead; Barry's Bat- 
tery, Capt. R. L. Barry; Belmont Battery, Capt. J. G. Anglade; Brown's 
Battery, Capt. W. R. Marshall; Burrough's Battery, Capt. W. H. Bur- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 595 

roughs; Carnes' Battery, Capt. W. W. Games; Scott's Battery, Capt. "W. 
L. Scott; Miller's Battery, Capt. William Miller; Eice's Battery, Capt. T. 
W. Rice; Kain's Battery, Capt. W. C. Kain; Anglade's Battery, Capt. J. 
G. Anglade; Mebane's Battery, Capt. J. W. Mebane; Wright's Battery, 
Capt. E. E. Wright; Morton's Battery, Capt. J. W. Morton; Jackson's 
Battery, Capt. W. H. Jackson; Freeman's Battery, Capt. S. L. Freeman; 
Hoxton's Battery, Capt. Lewis Hoston; McAcloo's Battery, Capt. J. M. 
McAcloo; Huwald's Battery, Capt. G. A. Huwald; Krone's Battery, Capt. 
F. Krone ; Taylor's Battery, Capt. J. W. Taylor ; Dismukes' Battery, 
Capt. P. T. Dismukes; Griffith's Battery, Capt. R. P. Griffith; Maney's 
Battery, Capt. F. Maney; Calvert's Battery, Capt. J. H. Calvert; El- 
dridge's Battery, Capt. J. W. Eldridge; McClung's Battery, Capt. H. L. 
McClung; Tobin's Battery, Capt. Thomas Tobin; Stankienry's Battery, 
Capt. P. K. Stankienry; Bibb's Battery, Capt. R. W. Bibb; Wilson's 
Battery, Capt. W. O. Williams; Fisher's Battery, Capt. J. A. Fisher; 
McDonald's Battery, Capt. C. McDonald; Ramsey's Battery, Capt. D. B. 
Ramsey; Keys' Battery, Capt. T. J. Keys; Porter's Battery, Capt. T. K. 
Porter; Baxter's Battery, Capt. E. Baxter; Humes' Battery, Capt. W. Y 
Humes; Jackson's Battery, W. H. Jackson; Lynch's Battery, Capt. J. 
P. Lynch, and others. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY CORPS AT BOWLING GREEN, KY., OCTOBER 28 
1861, GEN. A. S. JOHNSTON, COMMANDING.* 

First Division, Maj.-Gen. W. J. Hardee. Infantry: First Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. Hindman — Second Arkansas Regiment, Lieut. -Col. Bocage; 
Second Arkansas Regiment, Col. A. T. Hawthorn; Arkansas Battalion, 
Lieut. -Col. Marmaduke. Second Brigade, Col. P. R. Cleburne — First 
Arkansas Regiment, Col. Cleburne; Fifth Arkansas Regiment, Col. D. 
C. Cross; Seventh Mississippi Regiment, Col. J. J. Thornton; Tennes- 
see Mountain Rifles, Col. B. J. Hill. Third Brigade, Col. R. G. Shaver- 
Seventh Arkansas Regiment, Col. Shaver; Eighth Arkansas Regiment, 
Col. W. R. Patterson; Twenty-fourth Tennessee Regiment, Col. R. D. 
Allison; Ninth Arkansas Regiment, Lieut. -Col. S. J. Mason. Cavalry — 
Adams' Regiment and Phifer's Battalion. Artillery — Swett's, Trigg's, 
Hubbard's and Byrne's Batteries. 

Second Division, Brig. -Gen. S. B. Buckner. Infantry: First Bri- 
gade, Col. Hanson — Hanson's, Thompson's, Trabue's, Hunt's, Lewis' 
and Gofer's Kentucky regiments. Second Brigade, Col. Baldwin — Four- 
teenth Mississippi, Col. Baldwin; Twenty-sixth Tennessee Regiment, 
Col. Lillard. Third Brigade, Col. J. C. Brown— Third Tennessee Reg- 

*Taken from the oflScial report. 



596 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

iment, Col. Brown; TAventy-tliird Tennessee Regiment, Col. Martin; 
Eighteenth Tennessee Begiment, Col. Palmer. 

Reserve — Texas Regiment, Col. B. F. Terry; Tennessee Regiment, 
Col. Stanton; Harper's and Spencer's Batteries. 

CONFEDERATE FORCES AND LOSS AT SHILOH.* 

First Corps, Maj.-Gen. Leonidas Polk. First Division, Brig. -Gen. 
Charles Clark; First Brigade, Col. R. M. Russell; Second Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. A. P. Stewart. Second Division, Brig. -Gen. B. F. Cheat- 
ham; First Brigade, Brig. -Gen. B. R. Johnson; Second Brigade, Col. 
W. H. Stephens. Second Corps, Maj.-Gen. Braxton Bragg. First Di- 
vision, Brig. -Gen. Daniel Ruggles; First Brigade, Col. R. L. Gibson; 
Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Patton Anderson; Third Brigade, Col. Pres- 
ton Pond. Second Division, Brig. -Gen. J. M, Withers; First Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. A. H. Gladden; Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. R. Chalmers; 
Third Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. K. Jackson. Third Corps, Maj.-Gen. W. 
J. Hardee.- First Brigade, Brig. -Gen. T. C. Hindman; Second Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. P. R. Cleburne; Third Brigade, Brig. -Gen. S. A. M. Wood. 
Reserve Corps, Maj.-Gen. J. C. Breckinridge; First (Kentucky) Brigade, 
Col. R. P. Trabue; Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen.^ J. S. Bowen; Third 
Brigade, Col. ^Y. S. Statham. Total loss, 1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded 
and 959 missing. 

CONFEDERATE STATES FORCES, GEN. BRAXTON BRAGG, COMMANDING, ARMY 
OF THE MISSISSIPPI, JUNE 30, 1862.* 

First Army Corps, Maj.-Gen. Leonidas Polk, commanding. 

First Division, Brig. -Gen. Clark. First Brigade, Col. Russell — Twelfth 
Tennessee, Thirteenth Tennessee, Forty-seventh Tennessee, One Hundred 
and Fifty-fourth Tennessee, Bankhead's Battery. Second Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. A. P. Stewart — Thirteenth Arkansas, Fourth Tennessee, Fifth Ten- 
nessee, Thirty-first Tennessee, Thirty-third Tennessee, Stanford's Bat- 
tery. Second Division, Brig. -Gen. B, F. Cheatham. First Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. D. S. Donelson — Eighth Tennessee, Fifteenth Tennessee, Six- 
teenth Tennessee, Fifty-first Tennessee, Carnes' Battery. Second Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. George Maney — First Tennessee, Sixth Tennessee, Ninth 
Tennessee, Twenty-seventh Tennessee, Smith's Battery. Detached Bri- 
gade, Brig. -Gen. S. B. Maxey — Forty-first Georgia, Twenty-fourth Mis- 
sissippi, Ninth Texas, Eldredge's Battery. Second Army Corps, Maj.- 
Gen. Samuel Jones. First Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Patton Anderson — 

♦From the official reports. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 597 

Twenty-fifth Louisiana, Thirtieth Mississippi, Thirty-seventh Missis- 
sippi, Forty-first Mississippi, Florida and Confederate Battalion, Slo- 
cumb's Battery. Second Brigade, Col. A. Reichard — Forty -fifth Ala- 
bama, Eleventh Louisiana, Sixteenth Louisiana, Eighteenth Louisiana, 
Nineteenth Louisiana, Twentieth Louisiana, Barnett's Battery, Third 
Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Walker — First Arkansas, Twenty-first Louisiana, 
Thirteenth Louisiana, Crescent (Louisiana), Independent Tennessee, 
Thirty-eighth Tennessee, Lumsden's Battery, Barrett's Battery. Third 
Army Corps, Maj.-Gen. W. J. Hardee. First Brigade, Col. St. J. R. 
Liddell — Second Arkansas, Fifth Arkansas, Sixth Arkansas, Seventh Ar- 
kansas, Eighth Arkansas, Pioneer Company, Robert's Battery. Second 
Brigade, Brig. Gen. P. R. Cleburne — Fifteenth Arkansas, Second Ten- 
nessee, Fifth (Thirty-fifth) Tennessee, Twenty-fourth Tennessee, Forty- 
eighth Tennessee, Calvert's Battery. Third Brigade, Brig. -Gen. S. A. M. 
Wood — Sixteenth Alabama, Thirty-second Mississippi, Thirty-third Mis- 
sissippi, Forty-fourth Tennessee, Baxter's Battery. Fourth Brigade, Brig.- 
Geu. J. S. Marmaduke — Third Confederate, Twenty-fifth Tennessee, 
Twenty-ninth Tennessee, Thirty-seventh Tennessee, Swett's battery. 
Fifth Brigade, Col. A. T. Hawthorn — Thirty-third Alabama, Seventeenth 
Tennessee, Twenty-first Tennessee, Twenty-third Tennessee, Austin's 
Battery. Reserve Corps, Brig. -Gen. J. M. Withers. First Brigade, 
Brig, -Gen. Frank Gardner — Nineteenth Alabama, Twenty-second Ala- 
bama, Twenty-fifth Alabama, Twenty-sixth Alabama, Thirty-ninth Ala- 
bama, Sharpshooters, Robertson's Battery. Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. 
J. R. Chalmers — Fifth Mississippi, Seventh Mississippi, Ninth Missis- 
sippi, Tenth Mississippi, Twenty-ninth Mississippi, Blythe's Mississippi, 
Ketchum's Battery. Third Brigade, Brig, -Gen, J. K. Jackson — Seven- 
teenth Alabama, Eighteenth Alabama, Twenty-first Alabama, Twenty- 
fourth Alabama, Fifth Georgia, Burtwell's Battery, Fourth Brigade, 
Col, A. M. Manigault — Twenty-eighth Alabama, Thirty-fourth Alabama, 
First Louisiana (detached). Tenth South Carolina, Nineteenth South 
Carolina, Water's Battery. 

ARMY OF THE WEST, MAJ.-GEN. J. P, m'COWN, COMMANDING, 

First Division, Brig. -Gen. Henry Little. First Brigade, Col, Elijah 
Gates — Sixteenth Arkansas, First Missouri (dismounted), Second Mis- 
souri, Third Missouri, Missouri Battalion, Wade's Battery. Second Bri- 
gade, Brig. -Gen. P. O. Hebert — Fourteenth Arkansas, Seventeenth Ar- 
kansas, Third Louisiana, Whitfield's Texas Cavalry (dismounted), 
Greer's Texas Cavalry (dismounted), McDonald's Battery. Third Bri- 
gade, Brig, -Gen. M. E, Green — Fourth Missouri, Missouri Battalion, Mis- 



598 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

80uri Cavalry Battalion (dismouiited), Confederate Rangers (dis- 
mounted), King's Battery. Second Division, Maj.-Gen, J. P. McCown. 
Pirst Brigade, Brig. -Gen. W. L. Oobell — McCray's Arkansas, Four- 
teenth Texas Cavalry (dismounted), Tenth Texas Cavalry (dismounted), 
Eleventh Texas Cavalry (dismounted), Andrews' Texas, Good's Battery. 
Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. T. J. Churchill — ^Fourth Arkansas, First 
Arkansas Riflemen (dismounted). Second Arkansas Riflemen (dis- 
mounted), Fourth Arkansas Battalion, Turnbull's Arkansas Battalion, 
Reve's Missouri Scouts, Humphrey's Battery. Third Division, Brig.- 
Gen. D. H. Maury. First Brigade, Col. T. P. Dockery, Eighteenth Ar- 
kansas, Nineteenth Arkansas, Twentieth Arkansas, McCairns' Arkansas 

Battalion, Jones' Arkansas Battalion, Battery. Second Brigade, 

Brig. -Gen. J. C. Moore — ^Hobb's Arkansas, Adams' Arkansas, Thirty- 
fifth Mississippi, Second Texas, Bledsoe's Battery. Third Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. C. W. Phifer — Third Arkansas Cavalry (dismounted). Sixth Texas 
Cavalry (dismounted), Ninth Texas Cavalry (dismounted), Brook's Bat- 
talion, McNally's Battery. Reserved Batteries: Hoxton's Landis', Gui- 
bor's and Brown's. Cavalry: Forrest's Regiment, Webb's Squadron, 
Savery's Company, McCulloch's Regiment and Price's Body Guard. 

THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE AT MURFREESBORO, GEN. BRAXTON BRAGG, 

COMMANDING.* 

Polk's (First) Corps, Lieut.-Gen. Leonidas Polk, commanding.f 
First Division, Maj.-Gen. B. F. Cheatham. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. D. S. Donelson: Eighth Tennessee, Col. W. L. Moore and Lieut. - 
Col. John H. Anderson; Sixteenth Tennessee, Col. John H. Savage; 
Thirty-eighth Tennessee, Col. John C. Carter; Fifty -first Tennessee, 
Col. John Chester: Eighty-fourth Tennessee, Col. S. S. Stanton; Carnes 
Battery (Steuben Artillery), Lieut. J. G. Marshall. Second Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. A. P. Stewart; Fourth and Fifth Tennessee Volunteers (con- 
solidated). Col. O. F. Strahl; Nineteenth Tennessee, Col. F. M. Walker; 
Twenty-fourth Tennessee, Maj. S. E. Shannon and Col. H. L. W. Brat- 
ton; Thirty-first and Thirty-third Tennessee (consolidated), Col. E. E. 
Transil; Stanford's Mississippi Battery, Capt. T. J. Stanford. Third 
Brigade, Brig. -Gen. George Maney: First and Twenty-seventh Tennes- 
see (consolidated), Col. H. R. Field; Fourth Tennessee (Confederate), 
Col. J. A. McMurray; Sixth and Ninth Tennessee (consolidated). Col. 
C. S. Hurt and Maj. John L. Harris; Tennessee Sharpshooters, Maj. 
F. Maney; M. Smith's Battery, Lieut. W. B. Turner, commanding. 

♦Organization at the Battle of Murfreesboro or Stone River, Tenn., December 31, 1862, to January 3, 1863. 
tCopied by permission of J. Berrien Lindsley, from the new and excellent work, entitled " Military Annals 
of Tennessee." 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 099 

Fourth (Smith's) Brigade, Col. A. J. Vaughan, Jr.: Twelfth Tennessee, 
Maj. J. N. Wyatt; Thirteenth Tennessee, Capt. R. F. Lanier and Lieut- 
Col. W. E. Morgan; Twenty -ninth Tennessee, Maj. J. B. Johnson; 
Forty-seventh Tennessee, Capt. W. M. Watkins ; One Hundred and Fifty- 
fourth Tennessee (senior), Lieut. -Col. M. Magevney, Jr. ; Ninth Texas, 
Col. W. H. Young; Sharpshooters (P. T. Allen's), Lieut. J. E. J. 
Creighton and Lieut. T. T. Pattison; Scott's Battery, Capt. W. L. 
Scott. 

Second Division, Maj. -Gen. J. M. Withers. First (Deas') Brigade, 
Cols. J. Q. Loomis and J. G. Coltart: First Louisiana, Lieut. -Col, F. H. 
Farrar, Jr. ; Nineteenth Alabama, Twenty-second Alabama, Twenty-fifth 
Alabama, Twenty-sixth Alabama, Thirty -ninth Alabama; Eobertson's 
Battery (temporarily assigned on January 2, to Gen. Breckinridge), Capt. 
F. H. Robertson. Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. James R. Chalmers and 
Col. T. W. White: Seventh Mississippi; Ninth Mississippi, Col. T. 
W. White; Tenth Mississippi; Forty-firs-t Mississippi; Blythe's Forty- 
fourth Mississippi Regiment (battalion of sharpshooters), Capt. O. F. 
West; Garrity's (late Ketchum's) Battery (Company A, Alabama State 
Ai'tillery), Capt. James Garrity. Third (Walthall's) Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. J. Patton Anderson: Forty-fifth Alabama, Col. James Gilchrist; 
Twenty-fourth Mississippi, Lieut. -Col. R. P. McKelvaine; Twenty-seventh 
Mississippi, Col. T. M. Jones, Col. J. L. Autry, and Capt. E. R. Neilson ; 
Twenty-ninth Mississippi, Col. W. F. Brantly and Lieut. -Col. J. B. Mor- 
gan; Thirtieth Mississippi, Lieut. -Col. J. J. Scales; Thirty-ninth North 
Carolina (temporarily attached on the field), Capt. A. W. Bell; Missouri 
Battery, Capt. O. W. Barrett. Fourth Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. Patton 
Anderson (Col. A. M. Manigault, commanding) : Twenty-fourth Alabama, 
Twenty-eighth Alabama, Thirty-fourth Alabama, Tenth and Nineteenth 
South Carolina (consolidated). Col, A. J. Lythgoe; Alabama Battery, 
Capt. D. D. Waters. [Note: McCown's Division, Smith's Corps, was 
temporarily attached to Polk's Corps, but was with Cleburne's Division, 
Hardee's Corps, under the immediate command of Gen. Hardee.] 

Hardee's (Second) Corps, Lieut. -Gen. W. J. Hardee, commanding. 

First Division, Maj. -Gen. J. C. Breckinridge. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. D. W. Adams, Col. R. L. Gibson: Thirty-second Alabama, Col. Alex 
McKinstry and Lieut. -Col. H. MaUry ; Thirteenth and Twentieth Louisiana 
(consolidated), Col. R, L, Gibson and Maj. Charles Guillet; Sixteenth 
and Twenty-fifth Louisiana (consolidated), Col. S. W. Fisk and Maj. F. C. 
Zacharie; Battalion of Sharpshooters, Maj. J. E. Austin; Fifth Company 
Washington Artillery of Louisiana, Lieut. W. C. D. Yaught. Second 
Brigade, Col. J. B. Palmer (Brig. -Gen G. J. Pillow, commanding part 



600 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

of January 2, 1863): Eigliteeuth Tennessee, Col. J. B. Palmer and 
Lieut. -Col. W. K Butler; Twenty-sixth Tennessee, Col. John M. Lillarcl; 
Twenty-eighth Tennessee, Col. P. D. Cummings ; Thirty-second Tennes- 
see, Col. E. C. Cook; Forty-fifth Tennessee, Col. A. Searcy; Moses' 
Georgia Battery, Lieut. R. W. Anderson. Third Brigade, Brig. -Gen. 
William Preston: First and Third Florida (consolidated). Col. William 
Miller; Fourth Florida, Col. W. L. L. Bowen; Sixtieth North Carolina, 
Col. J. A. McDowell; Twentieth Tennessee, Col. T. B. Smith, Lieut. -CoL 
F. M. Lavender and Maj. F. Claybrooke ; Wrighfs -Tennessee Battery, 
Capt. E. E. Wright and Lieut. John ^Y. Mebane. Fourth Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. B. W. Hanson (Col. B. P. Trabue, commanding on January 2, 
1863): Forty-first Alabama, Col. H. Talbird and Lieut. -Col. M. L.. 
Stansel; Second Kentucky, Maj. James W. Hewitt; Fourth Kentucky, 
Col. Trabue and Capt. T. W. Thompson; Sixth Kentucky, Col. Joseph 
H. Lewis; Ninth Kentucky, Col. Thomas H. Hunt; CobVs Battery, Capt. 

B. Cobb. Jackson's Brigade (Independent) : Fifth Georgia, Col. W. T. 
Black and Maj. C. P. Daniel; Second Georgia Battalion (sharpshooters), 
Maj. J. J. Cox; Fifth Mississippi, Lieut. -Col. W. L. Sykes; Eighth Missis- 
sippi, Col. John C.Wilkinson and Lieut.-Col. A. M. McNeill; E. E. Prit- 
chard's Battery ; C. L. Lumsden's Battery (temporary), Lieut. H. H. Cribbs. 

Second Division, Maj. -Gen. P. R. Cleburne. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. L. E. Polk : First Arkansas, Col. John W. Colquitt ; Thirteenth 
Arkansas, Fifteenth Arkansas, Fifth Confederate, Col. J. A. Smith ; Sec- 
ond Tennessee, Col. W. D. Bobison; Fifth Tennessee, Col. B. J. Hill: 
Helena Battery (J. H. Calvert's), Lieut. T. J. Key commanding. Sec- 
ond Brigade, Brig. -Gen. St. John B. Liddell; Second Arkansas, Col. D. 

C. Gov an; Fifth Arkansas, Lieut.-Col. John E. Murray; Sixth and 
Seventh Arkansas (consolidated), Col. S. G. Smith, Lieut-Col. F. J. 
Cameron and Maj, W. F. Douglass ; Eighth Arkansas, Col. John H. Kel- 
ley and Lieut.-Col. G. F. Bancum; Charles Swett's Battery; (Warren 
Light Artillery, Mississippi), Lieut. H. Shannon, commanding. Third 
Brigade, Brig. -Gen. B. B. Johnson: Seventeenth Tennessee, Col. A. S. 
Marks and Lieut.-Col. W. W. Floyd; Twenty -third Tennessee, Lieut.- 
Col. R. H. Keeble; Twenty-fifth Tennessee, Col. J. M. Hughes and Lieut.- 
Col. Samuel Davis; Thirty-seventh Tennessee, Col. M. White, Maj. J. 
T. McBeynolds and Capt. C. G. Jarnagin; Forty-fourth Tennessee, Col. 
John S. Fulton; Jefferson Artillery, Capt. Put Dardeu. Fourth Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. S. A. M. Wood: Sixteenth Alabama, Col. W.B. Wood; Thirty- 
third Alabama, Col. Samuel Adams ; Third Confederate, Maj. J. F. Cam- 
eron; Forty-fifth Mississippi, Lieut.-Col. R. Charlton; two companies 
Sharpshooters, Capt. A. T. Hawkins; Semple's Battery (detached for 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 601 

Hanson's Brigade, Breckinridge's Division, up to January 1, 1863, when 
it returned), Henry C Semple. , 

Smith's (Third) Corps, Lieut. -Gen. E. K. Smith commanding. 

Second Division,* Maj.-Gen. J. P. McCown. First Brigade (dis- 
mounted cavah-y) Brig. -Gen. M. D. Ector: Tenth Texas Cavahy, Col. M. 
E. Locke ; Eleventh Texas Cavalry, Col. J. C. Burks and Lieut- Col. J. 
M. Bounds ; Fourteenth Texas Cavalry, Col. J. L. Camp ; Fifteenth Texas 
Cavalry, Col. J. A. Andrews; Douglass Battery, Capt. J. P. Douglass. 
Second Brigade — Brig. -Gen. James E. Eains (Col. E. B, Vance com- 
manding after the fall of Gen. Eains) : Third Georgia Battalion, Lieut. - 
Col. M. A. Stovall; Ninth Georgia Battalion, Maj. Joseph T. Smith; 
Twenty-ninth North Carolina, Col. E. B. Vance part of time ; Eleventh 
Tennessee, Col. G. W. Gordon and Lieut. -Col. William Thedford; Eu- 
faula Light Artillery, Lieut. W. A. McDuffie. Third Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. E. McNair and Col. E. W. Harper, commanding: First Arkansas 
Mounted Eifles (dismounted), CoL E. W. Harper and Maj. L. M. Eam- 
seur; Second Arkansas Mounted Eifles, Lieui-Col. J. A. "Williamson; 
Fourth Arkansas, Col. H. G. Bunn; Thirtieth Arkansas (the Thirty-first 
on return of Seventeenth), Maj. J. J. Franklin and Capt. W. A. Cot- 
ter; Fourth Arkansas Battalion, Maj. J. A. Eoss; Humphrey's Battery, 
Capt. J. T. Humphreys. 

Cavalry, Brig. -Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Wheeler's Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. Joseph Wheeler: First Alabama, Col. W. W. Allen; Third Ala- 
bama, Maj. F. G. Gaines and Capt. T. H. Mauldin; Fifty-first Alabama, 
Col. John T. Morgan, and Lieut. -Col. James D. Webb; Eighth Con- 
federate, CoL W. B. Wade; First Tennessee, Col. James E. Carter; 
Tennessee Battalion, Maj. D. AV. Holman; Arkansas Battery, Capt. 
J. H. Wiggins. Wharton's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. A. Wharton: Four- 
teenth Alabama Battalion, Lieut. -Col. James Malone; First Confed- 
erate, Col. John T. Cox; Third Confederate, Lieut.-Col. William N. 
Estes; Second Georgia, Lieut.-Col. J. E. Dunlap and Maj. F. M. Ison; 
Third Georgia (detachment), Maj. E. Thompson; Second Tennessee, Col. 
H. M. Asliby ; Fourth Tennessee, Col. Baxter Smith ; Tennessee Battalion, 
Maj. John ll. Davis; Eighth Texas, Col. Thomas Harrison; Murray's 
Eegiment, Maj. W. S. Bledsoe ; Escort Company, Capt. Paul Henderson ; 
McCown's Escort Company, Capt. J. J. Partin; White's Battery, Capt. 
B. F. White. Buford's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. A. Buford: Third Kentucky, 
Col. J. E. Butler; Fifth Kentucky, Col. D. H. Smith; Sixth Kentucky, 
Col. J. W. Grigsby. Pegram's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. John Pegram: First 
Georgia; First Louisiana. 

♦There is no evidence that the First (Stevenson's) Division of Smith's Corps was engaged. 



602 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE, GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, COMMANDING.* 

Hardee's Army Corps, Lieut-Gen. W. J. Hardee, commanding. 

Cheatham's Division, Maj-Gen. B. F. Cheatham. Maney's Brigade: 
First and Twenty-seventh Tennessee, Col. H. R. Field; Fourth Tennessee 
(Confederate), Lieut. -Col. O. A. Bradshaw; Sixth and Ninth Tennessee, 
Lieut. -Col. J. "VV. Burford; Nineteenth Tennessee, Maj. J. G. Deaderick; 
Fiftieth Tennessee, Col. S. H. Colms. Wright's Brigade: Eighth Tennessee, 
Col. J. H. Anderson ; Sixteenth Tennessee, Capt. B. Randals ; Twenty-eighth 
Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. D. C. Crook; Thirty-eighth Tennessee, Lieut.-CoL 
A. D. Gwynne; Fifty-first and Fifty-second Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. J. W. 
Estes. Strahl's Brigade: Fourth and Fifth Tennessee, Maj. H. Hampton; 
Twenty-fourth Tennessee, Col. J. A. Wilson ; Thirty-first Tennessee, Maj. 
Samuel Sharp; Thirty -third Tennessee, Col. W. P. Jones; Forty-first 
Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. James D. Tillman. Yaughan's Brigade : Eleventh 
Tennessee, Col. G. W. Gordon ; Twelfth and Forty-seventh Tennessee, Col. 
W. M. Watkins ; Twenty-ninth Tennessee, Col. Horace Rice ; One Hundred 
and Fifty-fourth and Thirteenth Tennessee, Col. M. Magevney, Jr. 

Cleburne's Division, Maj. -Gen. P. R. Cleburne. Polk's Brigade: First 
and Fifteenth Arkansas, Lieut.-Col. W. H. Martin; Fifth Confederate, 
Maj. R. J. Person; Second Tennessee, Col. W. D. Robison; Thirty -fifth 
and Forty-eighth Tennessee, Capt. H. G. Evans. Lowrey's Brigade: Six- 
teenth Alabama, Lieut.-Col. F. A. Ashford; Thirty-third Alabama, Col. 
Samuel Adams ; Forty-fifth Alabama, Col. H. D. Lampley ; Thirty-second 
Mississippi, Col. W. H. H. Tison: Forty-fifth Mississippi, Col. A. B. 
Hardcastle. Govan's Brigade: Second and Twenty-fourth Arkansas, 
Col. E. Warfield; Fifth and Thirteenth Arkansas, Col. J. E. Murray; 
Sixth and Seventh Arkansas, Col. S. G. Smith; Eighth and Nineteenth 
Arkansas, Col. G. F. Baucum; Third Confederate, Capt. M. H. Dixon. 
Smith's Brigade: Sixth and Fifteenth Texas, Capt. R. Fisher; Seventh 
Texas, Capt. C. E. Talley; Tenth Texas, Col. R. Q. Mills; Seventeenth 
and Eighteenth Texas, Capt. G. D. Manion; Twenty -fourth and Twenty- 
fifth Texas, Maj. W. A. Taylor. 

Bates' Division, Maj. -Gen. William B. Bate. Tyler's Brigade: Thir- 
ty-seventh Georgia, Col. J. T. Smith; Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh 
Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. R. D. Frazier; Twentieth Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. 
W. M. Shy; Thirtieth Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. J. J. Turner; Fourth Bat- 
talion Georgia Sharpshooters, Maj. T. D. Caswell. Lewis' Brigade: Sec- 
ond Kentucky, Col. J. W. Moss; Fourth Kentucky, Lieut.-Col. T. W. 
Thompson; Fifth Kentucky, Lieut. -Col. H. Hawkins; Sixth Kentucky, 
Col. M. H. Cofer; Ninth Kentucky, Col. J. W. Caldwell. Finley's Bri- 

*OrgaDization for the period ending June 30, 1864. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 603^ 

gade : First and Third Florida, Capt. M, H. Strain ; First and Fourth 
Florida, Lieut. -Col. E. Badger; Sixth Florida, Lieut. -Col. D. L. Kenan; 
Seventh Florida, Col. R. Bullock. 

Walker's Division, Maj.-Gen. W. H. T, Walker. Mercer's Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. H. W. Mercer: First Georgia, Col. C. H. Olmstead; Fifty- 
fourth Georgia, Lieut. -Col. M. Rawles; Fifty-seventh Georgia, Lieut. -CoL 

C. S. Guyton; Sixty -third Georgia, Col. G. A. Gordon. Jackson's Bri- 
gade, Brig. -Gen. John K. Jackson: Forty-sixth Georgia, Col, A. C. Ed- 
wards; Sixty -fifth Georgia, Capt. W. G. Foster; Fifth Mississippi, CoL 
John Weir; Eighth Mississippi, Col. J. C. Wilkinson; Second Battalion 
Georgia Sharpshooters, Maj. K. H. Whiteley. Gist's Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. S. R. Gist: Eighth Georgia Battalion, Lieut. -Col. Z. L.. Waters; 
Forty-sixth Georgia, Capt. E. Taylor; Sixteenth South Carolina, Col. 
James McCullough; Twenty -fourth South Carolina, Col. E. Capers. 
Stevens' Brigade, Brig. -Gen. C. H. Stevens: First Georgia (Confeder- 
ate), Col. G. A. Smith; Twenty-fifth Georgia, Col. W. J. Winn; Twenty- 
ninth Georgia, Maj. J. J. Owen; Thirtieth Georgia, Lieut. -Col. J. S. 
Boynton ; Sixty-sixth Georgia, Col. J. C. Nisbett ; First Battalion Georgia 
Sharpshooters, Maj. A. Shaaff. 

Hood's Army Corps, Lieut. -Gen. John B. Hood, commanding. 

Hindman's Division, Maj.-Gen. T. C. Hindman. Deas' Brigade, 
Col. J. G. Coltart: Nineteenth Alabama, Lieut.-Col. G. R. Kimbrough; 
Twenty-second Alabama, Col. B. R. Hart; Twenty-fifth Alabama, Col. G. 

D. Johnston; Thirty-ninth Alabama, Lieut.-Col. W. C. Clifton; Fiftieth 
Alabama, Capt. G. W. Arnold; Seventeenth Battalion Alabama Sharp- 
shooters, Capt. J. F. Nabers. Manigault's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. A. M. 
Manigault: Twenty-fourth Alabama, Col. N. N. Davis; Twenty-eighth 
Alabama, Lieut.-Col. W. L. Butler; Thirty-fourth Alabama, Col. J. C. B. 
Mitchell; Tenth South Carolina, Capt. R. Z. Harlee; Nineteenth South 
Carolina, Maj. J. L. White. Tucker's Brigade, Col. J. H. Sharp: Sev- 
enth Mississippi, Col. W. H. Bishop; Ninth Mississippi, Lieut.-Col. B. 
F. Johns; Tenth Mississippi, Lieut.-Col. G. B. Myers; Forty-first Mis- 
sissippi, Col. J. B. Williams; Forty-fourth Mississippi, Lieut.-Col. R. G. 
Kelsey; Ninth Battalion Mississippi Sharpshooters, Maj. W. C. Richards. 
Walthall's Brigade, Col. Sam Benton: Twenty-fourth and Twenty-seventh 
Mississippi, Col. R. P. McKelvaine ; Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Mississip- 
pi, Col. W. F. Brantley; Thirty-fourth Mississippi, Capt. T. S. Hubbard. 

Stevenson's Division, Maj.-Gen. C. L. Stevenson. Brown's Brigade: 
Third Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. C. J. Clack; Eighteenth Tennessee, Lieut.- 
Col. W. R. Butler; Twenty-sixth Tennessee, Capt. A. F. Boggess; 
Thirty-second Tennessee, Capt. C. G. Tucker ; Forty-fifth Tennessee and 



^^^ HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 



Twenty-third Battalion, Col. A. Searcy. Cummings' Brigade: Second 
Georgia (State), Col. James Wilson; Thirty-fourth Georgia, Capt. W 
A. Walker; Thirty-sixth Georgia, Maj. C. E. Broyles; Thirty-ninth 
Georgia, Capt. W. P. Milton; Fifty- sixth Georgia, Col. E. P. Watkins 
Keynold's Brigade— Fifty-eighth North Carolina, Capt. S. M Silver- 
Sixtieth North Carolina, Col. W. M. Hardy; Fifty-fourth Virginia,' 
Lieui-Col. J. J. Wade; Sixty-third Virginia, Capt. C. H. Lynch *Pet' 
tus' Brigade: Twentieth Alabama, Capt. S. W. Davidson; Twenty-third 
Alabama, Lieut. -Col. J. B. Bibb; Thirtieth Alabama, Col. C. M. Shelley 
Thirty-first Alabama, Capt. J. J. Nix; Forty-sixth Alabama, Capt. G. E.' 
Brewer. 

Stewar.t's Division, Maj. -Gen. A. P. Stewart. Stovall's Brio-ade 
Brig.-Gen. M. A. Stovall: First Georgia (State line). Col. E. M. Gait- 
Fortieth Georgia, Capt. J. N. Dobbs; Forty-first Georgia, Maj M s' 
Nail; Forty-second Georgia, Maj. W. H. Hulsey; Forty-third Georgia, 
Capt. H. E. Howard; Fifty-second Georgia, Capt. John R. Russell' 
Clayton's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. H. D. Clayton: Eighteenth Alabama, 
Lieut^-Col. P. F. Hunley; Thirty-second and Fifty-eighth Alabama, 
Col. Bush Jones; Thirty-sixth Alabama, Lieut. -Col. T. H. Herndon- 
Thirty-eighth Alabama, Capt. D. Lee. Gibson's Brigade, Brig.-Gen e' 
L. Gibson: First Louisiana, Capt. W. H. Sparks; Thirteenth Louisiana,' 
Lieut. -Col. F. L. Campbell; Sixteenth and Twenty-fifth Louisiana, Lieut. - 
Col. E. H. Lindsay; Nineteenth Louisiana, Col. E. W. Turner; Twentieth 
Louisiana, Col. Leon Von Zinken; Fourth Louisiana Battalion, Maj. D. 
Buie: Fourteenth Battalion Louisiana Sharpshooters, Maj. J. E. Austin 
Baker's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. A. Baker: Thirty-seventh Alabama, Lieut - 
Col. A. A. Greene; Fortieth Alabama, Col. J. H. Higley; Forty-second 
Alabama, Capt. E. K. Wells; Fifty-fourth Alabama. Lieut -Col J A 
Minter. 

Wheeler's Cavalry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Wheeler, commanding 
Martin's Division, Maj.-Gen. W. T. Martin. Allen's Brigade- First 
Alabama, Lieut.-Col. D. T. Blakey; Third Alabama, Col. James Hagan; 
Fourth Alabama, Col. A. A. Eussell; Seventh Alabama, Capt. G. Mason i 
Fifty-first Alabama, Col. M. L. Kirkpatrick; Twelfth Alabama Battalion,' 
Capt. W. S. Eeese. Iverson's Brigade: First Georgia, Col. S. W.' 
Davitte; Second Georgia, Col. J. W. Mayo; Third Georgia, Col E 
Thompson; Fourth Georgia, Maj. A. E. Stewart; Sixth G^'eorgia, Col 
John E. Hart. s ' 

Kelly's Division. Anderson's Brigade, Col. E. H. Anderson- Third 
Confederate, Lieut.-Col. J. McCaskiU; Eighth Confederate, Lieut.-Col. 
J. S. Prather; Tenth Confederate, Capt. W. J. Vason; Twelfth Confed- 



— . BATTLK OF • 

N ASHVI L LE. 




HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 605 

erate, Capt. C. H. Conner ; Fifth. Georgia, Maj. R. J. Davant, Jr. Dib- 
rell's Brigade,. Col. G. G. Dibrell: Fourth Tennessee, Col. W. S. McLe- 
more; Eighth Tennessee, Capt. J. Leftwich; Ninth Tennessee, Capt. J. 
M. Eeynolds; Tenth Tennessee, Maj. John Minor. Hannon's Brigade, 
Col. M. W. Hannon: Fifty-third Alabama, Lieut. -Col. J. F. Gaines; 
Twenty-fourth Alabama Battalion, Maj. R. B. Snodgrass. 

Hume's Division. Ashby's Brigade, Col. H. M. Ashby: First East 
Tennessee (not reported) ; First Tennessee, Col. J. T. Wheeler; Second 
Tennessee, Capt. J. H. Kuhn; Fifth Tennessee, Col. G. W. McKenzie; 
Ninth Tennessee, Battalion, Capt. J. "W. Greene. Harrison's Brigade, 
Col. Thomas Harrison: Arkansas, Col. A. "VV. Hobson; Sixty-sixth; 
North Carolina (not reported) ; Fourth Tennessee, Lieut. -Col. P. F. 
Anderson; Eighth Texas, Maj. S. P. Christian; Eleventh Texas, Col. G. 
R. Reeves. Williams' Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. S. Williams: First Ken- 
tucky, Lieut. -Col. J. W. Griffith; Second Kentucky, Maj. T. W. Lewis; 
Ninth Kentucky, Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge; Second Kentucky Battal- 
ion, Capt. J. B. Dartch; Allison's Squadron, Capt. J. S. Reese; detach- 
ment Hamilton's Battalion, Maj. James Shaw. 

Artillery Corps, Brig-Gen. F. A. Shoup, commanding. 

Artillery of Hardee's Corps, Col. M. Smith. Hoxton's Battalion 
— Perry's Battery, Capt. T. J. Perry, Phelan's Battery, Lieut. N. Yen- 
able; Turner's Battery, Capt. H. B. Turner. Hotchkiss' Battalion — 
Goldth wait's Battery, Capt. R. W. Goldthwait; Key's Battery, Capt. T. 
J. Key; Swett's Battery, Lieut. H. Shannon. Martin's Battalion — -Bled- 
soe's Battery, Lieut. C. W. Higgins; Ferguson's Battery, Lieut. J. A. 
Alston; Howell's Battery, Lieut. W. G. Robson. Cobb's Battalion — Gra- 
cey's Battery, Lieut. R. Matthews; Mebane's Battery, Lieut. J. W. Phil- 
lips ; Slocomb's Battery, Capt. C. H. Slocomb. 

Artillery of Hood's Corps, Col. R. F. Beckham. Courtney's Battal- 
ion— Dent's Battery, Capt. S. H. Dent; Douglass' Battery, Capt. J. P. 
Douglass; Garrity's Battery, Capt. J. Garrity. Eldridge's Battalion — 
Fenuer's Battery, Capt. C. E. Fenner; Oliver's Battery, Capt. McD. 
Oliver; Stanford's Battery, Lieut. J. S. McCall. Johnston's Battalion — 
Corput's Battery, Lieut. W. S. Hoge; Marshall's Battery, Capt. L. G. 
Marshall; Rowan's Battery, Capt. J. B. Rowan. 

Artillery of Wheeler's Corps, Lieut. -Col. F. W. Robertson. Fer- 
rell's Battery, Lieut. — —Davis; Huggins' Battery, Capt. A. L. Hug- 
gins; Ramsey's Battery, Lieut. D. B. Ramsey; White's Battery, Lieut. A. 
Pue; Wiggin's Battery, Lieut. J. P. Bryant. 

Reserve Battalions, Lieut. -Col. J. H. Hallonquist. Williams' Battal- 
ion — Darden's Battery, Jeffree's Battery, Kolb's Battery. Palmer's Bat- 



38 



606 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

talion — Harris' Battery, Lumsden's Battery. Waddill's Battalion — 
Barrett's Battery, Bellamy's Battery, Emery's Battery. 

Detachments: Escorts, Gen. J. E Johnston's — Company A, Capt. 
Guy Dreux; Company B, Capt. E. M. Holloway. Gen. Cheatham's — 
Capt. T. M. Merritt. Gen. Cleburne's — Capt. C. ' F. Sanders. Gen. 
Walker's — Capt. T. G. Holt. Gen. Bates' — Lieut. James H. Buck. Gen. 
Hardee's — Capt. W. C. Baum. Gen. Hindman's — Capt. F. J. Billings- 
lea. Gen. Stevenson's — Capt. T. B. Wilson. Gen. Stewart's — Capt. 
George T. Watts. 

Engineer Troops, Maj. J. W. Green. Cheatham's Division, Capt. H. 
N. Pharr; Cleburne's Division, Capt. W. A. Bamsay; Stewart's Division, 
A. W. Gloster; Hindman's Division, Capt. R. L. Cobb; Buckner's Divis- 
ion, Capt. E. Winston (detached companies) Capt. E. C. McCalla; De- 
tachment Sappers and Miners, Capt. A. W. Clarkson. 

ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, LIEUT, -GEN. LEONIDAS POLK, COMMANDING.* 

Loring's Division, Maj. -Gen. W. W. Loring. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. W. S. Featherston: Third Mississippi, Col. T. A. Mellon; Twenty- 
Second Mississippi, Maj. Martin A. Oatis; Thirty-first Mississippi, Col. 
M. D. L. Stevens; Thirty-third Mississippi, Col. J. L. Dake; Fortieth 
Mississippi, Col. W. Bruce Colbert; First Mississippi, Battalion Sharp- 
shooters, Maj. J. M. Stigler. Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. John Adams: 
Sixth Mississippi, Col. Robert Lowry; Fourteenth Mississippi, Lieut. - 
Col. W. L. Doss; Fifteenth Mississippi, Col. M. Farrell; Twentieth Mis- 
sissippi, Col. William N. Brown; Twenty-third Mississippi, Col. J. M. 
Wells ; Forty-third Mississippi, Col. Richard Harrison. Third Brigade, 
Col. Thomas M. Scott: Twenty-seventh Alabama, Col. James Jackson; 
Thirty-fifth Alabama, Col. S. S. Ives; Forty-ninth Alabama, Lieut. -Col. 
J. D. AVeedon; Fifty-fifth Alabama, Col. John Snodgrass; Fifty-seventh 
Alabama, Col. C. J. L. Cunningham; Twelfth Louisiana, Lieut. -Col. N. 
L. Nelson. Artillery Battalion, Maj. J. D. Myrick: Barry's Battery, 
Bouanchand's Battery, Cowan's Battery, Mississippi. 

French's Division, Maj. -Gen. S. G. French. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. M. D. Ector: Twenty-ninth North Carolina, Thirty-ninth North 
Carolina, Ninth Texas, Col. William H. Young; Tenth Texas, Col. C. R. 
Earp; Fourteenth Texas, Col. J. L. Camp; Thirty-second Texas, Col. J. 
A. Andrews. Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. F. M. Cockrell; First Mis- 
souri (the First and Fourth combined), Capt. Keith; Second Mis- 
souri (the Second and Sixth combined). Col. P. C. Flournoy; Third 
Missouri (the Third and Fifth combined). Col. James McCown; Fourth 

^Organization June 10, 1S64. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 607 

Missouri (the First and Fourth combined), Capt. Keith; Fifth 

Missouri (Third and Fifth combined), Col. James McCowu; Sixth Mis- 
souri (Third and Sixth combined), Col. P. C. Flournoy; First Missouri 
Cavalry, Third Missouri Cavalry, Maj. Elijah Yates. Third Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. C. ^Y. Sears; Fourth Mississippi, Col. T. N. Adair; Thirty- 
fifth Mississippi, Col. William S. Barney; Thirty-sixth Mississippi, Col. 
W. W. Witherspoon; Thirty-ninth Mississippi, Lieut. -Col. W. E. Eoss; 
Forty-sixth Mississippi, Col. W. H. Clark ; Seventh Mississippi Battalion. 
Artillery Battalion, Maj. George S. Storrs; Guibor's Missouri Battery, 
Hoskin's Mississippi Battery, Ward's Alabama Battery. 

Cantey's Division, Brig. -Gen. James Cantey. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. D. H. Reynolds: First Arkansas, Second Arkansas, Fourth Ar- 
kansas, Ninth Arkansas, Twenty-fifth Arkansas. Second Brigade (regi- 
mental commanders not indicated on original return). Col. V. S. Murphy; 
First Alabama, Seventeenth Alabama, Twenty-sixth Alabama, Twenty- 
ninth Alabama, Thirty-seventh Mississippi. Artillery Battalion, Maj. 
W. C. Preston. Gideon Nelson's Artillery, Selden's Alabama Battery^ 
Tarrant's Alabama Battery, Yates' Mississippi Battery. 

Cavalry Division, Brig. -Gen. W. H. Jackson. First Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. F. C. Armstrong: Sixth Alabama, Col. C. H. Colvin ( ?) ; First 
Mississippi, Col. R. A. Pinson; Second Mississippi, Maj. J. J. Perry; 
Twenty-eighth Mississippi, Maj. J. T. McPall ( ?) ; Ballentine's Regi- 
ment, Capt. E. E. Porter. Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. — — Ross: 
Third Texas, Lieut. -Col. J. S. Bogges ( ?) ; Sixth Texas, Lieut. -Col. L. S. 
Ross; Ninth Texas, Col. D. W. Jones; Twenty-seventh Texas, Col. E. R. 

Hawkins. Third Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Ferguson; Second Alabama 

Lieut. -Col. J. N. Carpenter; Twelfth Alabama, Col. W. M. Lige; Fifty- 
sixth Alabama, Col. W. Boyles; Miller's Mississippi Regiment, Perrin's 
.Mississippi Regiment. Artillery Battalion, Croft's Georgia Battery, 
King's Missouri Battery, Waiter's South Carolina Battery ( ?). 

THE AEMY OF TENNESSEE, GEN. BRAXTON BRAGG, COMMANDING.* 

Right Wing, Polk's Corps, Lieut. -Gen. Leonidas Polk commancing. 

Cheatham's Division, Maj. -Gen. B. F. Cheatham. Escort : Second Geor- 
gia Cavalry, Company G, Capt. T. M. Merritt. Jackson's Brigade, Brig- 
Gen. John K. Jacksoii: First Georgia (Confederate), Second Georgia 
Battalion, Maj. J. C. Gordon; Fifth Georgia, Col. C. P. Daniel; Second 
Georgia Battalion (sharpshooters), Maj. R. H. Whitley; Fifth Missis- 
sippi, Lieut.-Col. W. L. Sykes and Maj. J. B. Herriug; Eighth Missis- 

*Organization of the army at Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863, compiled mainly from the official 
reports. 



608 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

sippi, Col. J. C. "Wilkinson. Maney's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. George Ma- 
ney: First and Twenty- Seventli Tennessee, Col. H. R. Field; Fourth 
Tennessee (provisional army), Col. J. A. McMurray, Lieut. -Col. R. N. 
Lewis, Maj. O. A. Bradshaw and Capt. J. Bostick ; Sixth and Ninth Ten- 
nessee, Col. George C. Porter; Twenty-fourth Tennessee Battalion 
(sharpshooters), Maj. Frank Maney. Smith's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Pres- 
ton Smith, Col. A. J. Yaughan, Jr. : Eleventh Tennessee, Col. G. W. 
Gordon; Twelfth and Forty-seventh Tennessee, Col. W. M. "VYatkins; 
Thirteenth and One Hundred and . Fifty-fourth Tennessee, Col. A. J. 
Yaughan, Jr., and Lieut. -Col. R. W. Pitman; Twenty-ninth Tennessee, 
Col. Horace Rice; Dawson's Battalion Sharpshooters (composed of two 
companies from the Eleventh Tennessee, two from the Twelfth and Forty- 
seventh Tennessee (consolidated), and one from the One Hundred and 
Fifty-fourth Senior Tennessee) Maj. J. W. Dawson and Maj. William 
Green. Wright's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Marcus J. Wright: Eighth Ten- 
nessee, Col. John H. Anderson; Sixteenth Tennessee, Col. D. M. Don- 
nell; Twenty-eighth Tennessee, Col. S. S. Stanton; Thirty-eighth Ten- 
nessee and Murray's (Tennessee) Battalion, Col. J. C. Carter; Fifty- 
first and Fifty-second Tennessee, Lieut. -Col. John G. Hall. Strahl's 
Brigade, Brig.-Gen. O. F. Strahl: Fourth and Fifth Tennessee, Col. J. 
J. Lamb ; Nineteenth Tennessee, Col. F. M. Walker ; Twenty-fourth Ten- 
nessee, Col. J. A. Wilson; Thirty -first Tennessee, Col. E. E. Tansil; 
Thirty-third Tennessee. Artillery, Maj. Melancthon Smith: Carnes' 
(Tennessee) Battery, Capt. W. W. Carnes; Scogin's (Georgia) Battery, 
Capt. John Scogin; Scott's (Tennessee) Battery, Lieuts. J. H. Marsh and 
A. T. Watson; Smith's (Mississippi) Battery, Lieut. William B. Turner; 
Stanford's Battery, Capt. T. J. Stanford. 

Center, Hill's Corps, Lieut. -Gen. Daniel H. Hill, commanding. 

Cleburne's Division, Maj. -Gen. P. R. Cleburne. Wood's Brigade, 
Brig.-Gen. S. A. M. Wood: Sixteenth Alabama, Maj. J. H. McGaughy 
and Capt. F. A. Ashford; Thirty-third Alabama, Col. Samuel Adams; 
Forty-fifth Alabama, Col. E. B. Breedlove; Eighteenth Alabama Battal- 
ion, Maj. J. H. Gibson and Col. Samuel Adams; Thirty-third Alabama, 
Thirty-second and Forty-fifth Mississippi, Col. M. P. Lowery; Sharp- 
shooters, Maj. A. T. Hawkins and Capt. Daniel Coleman. Polk's 
Brigade, Brig.-Gen. L. E. Polk. First Arkansas, Col. J. W. Colquitt: 
Third and Fifth Confederate, Col. J. A. Smith; Second Tennessee, 
Col. W. D. Robison; Thirty-fifth Tennessee, Col. B. J. Hill; Forty- 
eighth Tennessee, Col. G. "H. Nixon. Deshler's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. 
James Deshler, 'Col. R. Q. Mills : Nineteenth and Twenty-fourth Arkan- 
sas, Lieut. -Col. A. S. Hutchinson; Sixth, Tenth and Fifteenth Texas, Col. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 609 

E. Q. Mills and Lieut. -Col. T. Scott Anderson ; Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 
Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Texas (dismounted cavalry). Col. F. C. 
Wilkes, Lieut. -Col. John T. Coit and Maj, W. A. Taylor. Artillery: 
Maj. T. E. Hotchkiss, Capt. H, C. Semple; Calvert's Battery, Lieut. 
Thomas J. Key; Douglas's Battery, Capt. J. P. Douglas; Semple's Bat- 
tery, Capt. H. C. Semple and Lieut. E. W. Goldthwaite. 

Breckinridge's Division, Maj. -Gen. John C. Brickinridge. Helm's 
Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Benjamin H. Helm, Col. J. H, Lewis: Forty-first 
Alabama, Col. M. L. Stansel; Second Kentucky, Col. J. W. Hewitt and 
Lieut.-Col. J. W. Moss; Fourth Kentucky, Col. Joseph P. Nuckols, Jr., 
and Maj. T. TV. Thompson; Sixth Kentucky, Col. J. H. Lewis and Lieut.- 
Col. M. H. Cofer; Ninth Kentucky, Col. J. W. Caldwell and Lieut.-Col. 
J. C. Wickliffe. Adam's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Daniel W. Adams, Col. 
E. L. Gibson: Thirty-second Alabama, Maj. J. C. Kimball; Thirteenth 
and Twentieth Louisiana, Cols. E. L. Gibson and Leon Von Zinken and 
Capt. E. M. Dubroca; Sixteenth and Twenty-fifth Louisiana, Col. D. 
Gober; Nineteenth Louisiana, Lieut.-Col. E. W. Turner, Maj. L. Butler 
and Capt. H. A. Kennedy; Fourteenth Louisiana Battalion, Maj. J. E. 
Austin. Stovall's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. M. A. Stovall: First and Third 
Florida, Col. W. S. Dilworth; Fourth Florida, Col. W. L. L. Bowen; 
Forty-seventh Georgia, Capts. William S. Phillips and Joseph S. Cone ; 
Sixtieth North Carolina, Lieut.-Col. J. M. Eay and Capt. J. T. Weaver. 
Artillery, Maj. E. E. Graves: Cobb's Battery, Capt. Eobert Cobb; 
Mebane's Battery, Capt. John W. Mebane; Slocomb's Battery, Capt. C. 
H. Slocomb. 

Eeserve Corps, Maj. -Gen. W. H. T. Walker, commanding. 

Walker's Division, Brig.-Gen. S. E, Gist. Gist's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. 
S. E. Gist, Col, P, H. Colquitt, Lieut.-Col. L. Napier: Forty-sixth Geor- 
gia, Col. P. H. Colquitt and Maj. A. M. Speer: Eighth Georgia Battal- 
ion, Lieut.-Col. L. Napier; Sixteenth South Carolina (not engaged; at 
Eome), Col. J. McCullough; Twenty-fourth South Carolina, Col. C. H. 
Stevens and Lieut.-Col. E. Capers. Ector's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. M. D. 
Ector: Stone's Alabama Battalion, Pound's Mississippi Battlalion, 
Twenty-ninth North Carolina, Ninth Texas, Tenth, Fourteenth and 
Thirty-second Texas Cavalry (serving as infantry), Wilson's Brigade, 
Col. C. C. Wilson: Twenty-fifth Georgia, Lieut.-Col. A. J. Williams; 
Twenty-ninth Georgia, Lieut. G. E. McEae; Thirtieth Georgia, Lieut.- 
Col. J. S. Boynton; First Georgia Battalion (sharpshooters). Fourth 
Louisiana Battalion. Artillery, Ferguson's Battery (not engaged; at 
Eome), Lieut. E. T. Beauregard; Martin's Battery. 

Liddell's Division, Brig.-Gen. St. John E. Liddell. Liddell's Bri- 



610 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

gade, Col. D. C. Go van: Second and Fifteenth Arkansas, Lieut. -Col. R. 
T. Harvey and Oapt. A. T. Meek; Fifth and Thirteenth Arkansas, Col. 
L. Featherstone and Lieut. -Col. John E. Murray; Sixth and Seventh 
Arkansas, Col. D. A. Gillespie and Lieut. -Col. P. Snyder; Eighth Ar- 
kansas, Lieut.-Col. G. F. Baucum and Maj. A. Watkins; First Louisiana, 
Lieut. -Col. G. F. Baucum and Maj. A. Watkins. Walthall's Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. E. C. Walthall: Twenty-fourth Mississippi, Lieut.-Col. R. 
P. McKelvaine, Maj. W. C. Staples and Capts. B. F. Toomer and J. 
D. Smith: Twenty-seventh Mississippi, Col. James A. Campbell; Twen- 
ty-ninth Mississippi, Col. W. F. Brantly: Thirtieth Mississippi, Col. 
J. I. Scales; Lieut.-Col. Hugh A. Reynolds and Maj. J. M. John- 
son: Thirty-fourth Mississippi (Thirty -fourth Mississippi had four com- 
manders at Chickamauga), Maj. W. G. Pegram, Capt. H. J. Bowen, 

Lieut.-Col. H. A.Reynolds and- . Artillery, Capt. Chas. Swett: 

Fowler's Battery, Capt. W. H. Fowler; Warren Light Artillery, Lieut. 
H. Shannon. 

Left Wing, Lieut. -Gen. James Longstreet, commanding. 

Hindman's Division, Maj. -Gen. T. C. Hindman, Brig. -Gen. J. Patton 
Anderson. Anderson's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. Patton Anderson: Col. J. H. 
Sharp, Seventh Mississippi ; Col. W. H. Bishop ; Ninth Mississippi, Maj. 
T. H. Lyman; Tenth Mississippi Lieut. -Col. James Barr; Forty-first 
Mississippi, Col. W. F. Tucker ; Forty-fourth Mississippi, Col. J. H. Sharp 
and Lieut.-Col. R. G. Kelsey; Ninth Mississippi, Battalion (sharpshoot- 
ers), Maj. W. C. Richards; Garrity's Battery, Capt. J. Garrity. Deas' 
Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Z. C. Deas: Nineteenth Alabama, Col. S. K. Mc- 
Spadden ; Twenty-second Alabama, Lieut. Col. John Weedon and Capt. 
H. T. Toulmin; Twenty-fifth Alabama, Col. George D. Johnston; Thirty- 
ninth Alabama, Col. AV. Clark; Fiftieth Alabama, Col. J. G. Coltart; 
Seventeenth Alabama Battalion (sharpshooters), Capt. James F. Na- 
bers; Robertson's Battery, Lieut. S. H. Dent. Manigault's Brigade, Brig.- 
Gen. A. M. Manigault: Twenty-fourth Alabama, Col. N. N. Davis; 
Twenty-eighth Alabama, Col. John C. Reid; Thirty-fourth Alabama, Maj. 
J. N. Slaughter; Tenth and Nineteenth South Carolina, Col. James F. 
Pressley; Waters' Battery, Lieut. Charles W. Watkins and George D, 
Turner. 

Buckner's Corps, Maj. Gen.-Simon B. Buckner, commanding. 

Stewart's Division, Maj. -Gen. A. P. Stewart. Johnson's Brigade 
(part of Johnson's provisional division), Brig.-Gen. B. R. Johnson, Col. 
J. S. Fulton: Seventeenth Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. Watt W. Floyd; Twenty- 
third Tennessee, Col. R. H. Keeble; Twenty-fifth Tennessee Lieut.-Col. 
R. B. Snowden; Forty-fourth Tennessee, Lieut.-Col. J. L. McEwen, Jr., 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 611 

and Maj. G. M. Crawford. Brown's Brigade: Brig. -Gen. J. C, Brown, 
Ool. Edmund C. Cook: Eighteenth Tennessee, Col, J. B. Palmer; Lieut. - 
Col. W. E. Butler and Capt. Gideon H. Lowe; Twenty-sixth Tennessee, 
Col. J. M. Lillard and Maj. E. M. Saffell; Thirty-second Tennessee, Col. 
E. C. Cook and Capt. C. G. Tucker; Forty-fifth Tennessee, Col. A. Searcy; 
Twenty-third Tennessee Battalion, Maj. T. ^Y. Newman and Capt. W. P. 
Simpson. Bate's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. W. B. Bate: Fifty-eighth Ala., Col. 

B. Jones; Thirty-seventh Georgia, Col. A. F. Eudler and Lieut. -Col. J. T. 
Smith; Fourth Georgia Battalion (sharpshooters), Maj. T. D. Caswell, 
Capt. B. M. Turner and Lieut. Joel Towers ; Fifteenth and Thirty-seventh 
Tennessee, Col. E. C. Tyler, Lieut. -Col. E. D. Trayser, and Capt. E. M. 
Tankesley; Twentieth Tennessee, Col. T. B. Smith and Maj. W. M. Shy. 
Clayton's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. H. D. Clayton: Eighteenth Alabama, 
Col. J. T. Holtzclaw, Lieut. -Col. E. F. Inge and Maj. P. F. Hunley; 
Thirty-sixth Alabama, Col. L. T. Woodi'uff; Thirty-eighth Alabama, 
Lieut. Ool. A. E. Lankford. Artillery, Maj. J. W. Eldridge: First 
Arkansas Battery, Capt. J. T. Humphreys; T. H. Dawson's Battery, 
Lieut. E. W. Anderson; Eufaula Artillery, Capt. McD. Oliver; Ninth 
Georgia Artillery Battalion, Company E, Lieut. W. S. Everett. 

Preston's Division, Brig.-Gen. William Preston. Grade's Brigade, 
Brig.-Gen. A. Gracie, Jr.: Forty-third Alabama, Col. Y. M. Moody; First 
Alabama, Battalion (Hilliard's Legion), Lieut. -Col. J. H.Holt and Capt. G, 
W. Huguley; Second Alabama Battalion, Lieut. -Col. B. Hall, Jr., and 
Capt. W. D. Walden; Third Alabama Battalion (all of Hilliard's Le- 
gion), Maj. J. W. A. Sanford ; Fourth Alabama Battalion (Artillery bat- 
talion, Hilliard's Legion), Maj. J. D. McLennan; Sixty -third Tennessee, 
Lieut. -Col. A. Fulkerson and Maj. John A. Aiken. Trigg's Brigade, 
Col, E. C. Trigg: First Florida Cavalry (dismounted). Col. G. T. Max- 
well; Sixth Florida, Col. J. J. Finley; Seventh Florida, Col. E. Bullock; 
Fifty-fourth Virginia, Lieut. Col. John J. Wade. Third Brigade, Col. 
J. H. Kelly: Sixty-fifth Georgia, Col. E. H. Moore ; Fifth Kentucky, Col. 
H. Hawkins ; Fifty-eighth North Carolina, Col. J. B. Palmer ; Sixty-third 
Virginia, Maj. J. M. French. Artillery Battalion: Maj. A. Leyden; Jef- 
fress's Battery, Puble's Battery, Wolihin's Battery, York's Battery. Ee- 
serve Corps Artillery: Maj. S. C. Williams; Baxter's Battery, Darden's 
Battery, Kolb's Battery, McCant's Battery. 

Johnson's Division,* Brig.-Gen. Bushrod E. Johnson. Gregg's 
Brigade, Brig.-Gen. John Gregg, Col. C. A. Sugg: Third Tennessee, Col. 

C. H. Walker; Tenth Tennessee, Col. Wm. Grace; Thirtieth Tennessee; 

*A provisional organization, embracing Johnson's and part of the time Robertson's Brigades, as well as 
Gregg's and McNair's, September 19, attached to Longstreet's Corps, under Maj. -Gen. Hood. 



612 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Forty-first Tennessee, Lieut. -Col. J. D. Tillman; Fiftieth Tennessee, 
Col. C. A. Sugg, Lieut. -Col. T. W. Beaumont, Maj. C. W. Kobertson 
and Col. C. H. Walker; First Tennessee Battalion, Majs. S. H. Colms 
and C. W. Robertson; Seventh Texas, Maj. K. M. Vanzandt; Bledsoe's 
(Missouri) Battery, Lieut. R. L. AVood. McNair's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. 
E. McNair, Co], D. Coleman: First Arkansas Mounted Rifles, Col. Robert 
W. Harper; Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles, Col. James A. William- 
son; Twenty-fifth Arkansas, Lieut. -Col. Eli Huffstetter; Fourth and 
Thirty-first Arkansas Infantry and Fourth Arkansas Battalion (consoli- 
dated), Maj. J. A. Ross; Thirty-ninth North Carolina, Col. D. Coleman; 
Culpepper's (South Carolina) Battalion, Capt J. F. Culpepper. 

Longstreet's Corps,* Left Wing, Maj. John B. Hood, commanding. 

McLaw's Division, Maj. -Gen. Lafayette McLaws, Brig. -Gen. J. B. 
Kershaw. Kershaw's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. J. B. Kershaw: Second South 
Carolina, Lieut. -Col. F. Gaillard; Third South Carolina, Col. J. D. 
Nance; Seventh South Carolina, Lieut. -Col. Elbert Bland, Maj. J. S. 
Hard and Capt. E. J. Goggans; Eighth South Carolina, Col. J. W. Han- 
agan; Fifteenth South Carolina, Col. Joseph F. Gist; Third South Car- 
olina Battalion, Capt. J. M. Townsend. Wofford's Brigade (Longstreet's 
report indicates that these brigades did not arrive in time to take part 
in the battle). Brig. -Gen. W. T. Wofford: Sixteenth Georgia, Eighteenth 
Georgia, Twenty-fourth Georgia, Third Georgia Battalion (sharpshoot- 
ers), Cobb's (Georgia) Legion, Phillip's (Georgia) Legion. Hum- 
phrey's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. B. G. Humphreys: Thirteenth Mississippi, 
Seventeenth Mississippi, Eighteenth Mississippi, Twenty-first Missis- 
sippi. Bryan's Brigade (Longstreet's report, etc., as above), Brig.-Gen. 
Goode Bryan: Tenth Georgia, Fiftieth Georgia, Fifty -first Georgia and 
Fifty-third Georgia, 

Hood's Division, Maj. -Gen. John B. Hood, Brig.-Gen. E. M. Law. 
Jenkins' Brigade (did not arrive in time to take part in the battle; Jen- 
kin's Brigade assigned to the division September 11, 1863), Brig.-Gen. 
M. Jenkins: First South Carolina, Second South Carolina Rifles, Fifth 
South Carolina, Sixth South Carolina, Hampton Legion, Palmetto Sharp- 
shooters. Law's Brigade, Brig.-Gen. E. M. Law, Col. J. L. Sheffield: 
Fourth Alabama, Fifteenth Alabama, Col. W. C. Gates; Forty-fourth 
Alabama, Forty-seventh Alabama, Forty-eighth Alabama. Robertson's. 
Brigade (served part of the time in Johnson's j)rovisional division), 
Brig.-Gen. J. B. Robertson, Col. Yan H. Manning: Third Arkansas, CoL 
Yan H. Manning ; First Texas, Capt. R. J. Harding ; Fourth Texas, CoL 

Army of Northern Virginia, organization taken from return of that army for August 31, 1863 ; Pickett's 
Division waa left in Virginia. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 613 

John P. Bane and Capt. E. H. Bassett; Fifth Texas, Maj. J. C. Rogers 
and Capt. J. S. Cleveland and T. T. Clay, Anderson's Brigade (did not 
arrive in time to take part in the battle), Brig. -Gen. George T. Ander- 
son: Seventh Georgia, Eighth Georgia, Ninth Georgia, Eleventh 
Georgia, Fifty-ninth Georgia. Benning's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. H. L. 
Benning: Second Georgia, Lieut. -Col. Wm. S. Shepherd and Maj. W. 
W. Charlton; Fifteenth Georgia, Col. D. M. Du Bose and Maj. P. J. 
Shannon; Seventeenth Georgia, Lieut.-Col. Charles W. Matthews; 
Twentieth Georgia, Col. J. D. Waddell. Artillery Corps (did not arrive 
in time to take part in the battle). Col. E. Porter Alexander: Fickling's 
(South Carolina) Battery, Jordan's (Virginia) Battery, Moody's (Louis- 
iana) Battery, Parker's (Virginia) Battery, Taylor's (Virginia) Battery, 
"Woolfolk's (Virginia) Battery. Artillery Reserve (Army of Tennessee), 
Maj. Felix Robertson: Barrett's (Missouri) Battery, Le Gardeur's (Lou- 
isiana) Battery (not mentioned in the reports, but in Reserve Artillery 
August 31, and Capt. Le Gardeur, etc., relieved from duty in the Army 
of the Tennesse, November 1, 1863), Havis' (Alabama) Battery, Lums- 
den's (Alabama) Battery, Massenburg's (Georgia) Battery. 

Cavalry Corps, Maj. -Gen. Joseph Wheeler, commanding. 

Wharton's Division, Brig. -Gen. John A. Wharton. First Brigade, 
Col. C. C. Crews; Seventh Alabama, Second Georgia, Third Georgia, 
Fourth Georgia, Col. I. W. Avery. Second Brigade, Col. T. Harrison^ 
Third Confederate, Col. W. N. Estes; First Kentucky, Lieut.-Col. J. W. 
Griffith ; Fourth Tennessee, Col. Paul F. Anderson ; Eighth Texas, Elev- 
enth Texas, White's (Georgia) Battery. 

Martin's Division, Brig. -Gen. W. T. Martin. First Brigade, Col. J. 
T. Morgan: First Alabama, Third Alabama, Lieut.-Col. T. H. Mauldin; 
Fifty-first Alabama, Eighth Confederate. Second Brigade, Col. A. A. 
Russell: Fourth Alabama (two regiments of same designation, Lieut.- 
Col. Johnson commanded that in Roddey's Brigade), First Confederate, 
Col. W. B. Bate; Wiggin's (Arkansas) Battery. Roddey's Brigade, 
Brig. -Gen. P. D. Roddey: Fourth Alabama (two regiments, etc., as 
above), Lieut.-Col. Wm. A. Johnson; Fifth Alabama, Fifty-third Ala- 
bama, Forrest's (Tennessee) Regiment, Ferrell's (Georgia) Battery. 

Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Brig. -Gen. N. B. Forrest, commanding. 

Armstrong's Division (from returns of August 31, 1863, and reports). 
Brig. -Gen. F. C. Armstrong. Armstrong's Brigade, Col. J. T. Wheeler: 
Third Arkansas, First Tennessee, Eighteenth Tennessee Battalion, Maj. 
Charles McDonald. Forrest's Brigade, Col. G. G. Dibrell: Fourth Ten- 
nessee, Col. W. S. McLemore; Eighth Tennessee, Capt. Hamilton Mc- 
Ginnis; Ninth Tennessee, Col. J. B. Biffle; Tenth Tennessee, Col. N. N. 



614 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Cox; Eleventh Tennessee, Col. D. W. Holman; Shaw's (or Hamilton's) 
Battalion (?), Maj. J. Shaw; Freeman's (Tennessee) Battery, Capt. A. 
L. Huggins; Morton's (Tennessee) Battery, Capt. John W. Morton. 

Pegram's Division (taken from Pegram's and Scott's reports and as- 
signments; but the composition of this division is uncertain), Brig. -Gen. 
John Pegram. Davidson's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. H. B. Davidson: First 
Georgia, Sixth Georgia, Col. John R. Hart; Sixth North Carolina, 
Bucker's Legion, Huwald's (Tennessee) Battery. Scott's Brigade, Col. 
J. S. Scott: Tenth Confederate, Col. C. T. Goode; detachment of Mor- 
gan's command, Lieut. -Col. R. B. Martin; First Louisiana, Second Ten- 
nessee, Fifth Tennessee, Twelfth Tennessee Battalion; Sixteenth Tennes- 
see Battalion, Capt. J. Q. Arnold; Louisiana Battery (one section). 

THE AEMY OF TENNESSEE, GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, COMMANDING.* 

Hardee's Army Corps, Lieut. -Gen. Wm. J. Hardee, commanding. 

Brown's Division, Maj. -Gen. John C. Brown. Smith's Brigade — 
Brig. -Gen. James A. Smith ; Florida Regiment, composed of First, Third, 
Sixth, Seventh and Fourth Infantry and First Cavalry, dismounted (con- 
solidated), Lieut. -Col. E. Mashburn; Georgia Regiment, composed of 
First, Fifty-seventh and Sixty-third Georgia Regiments (consolidated). 
Col. C. H. Olmstead; Georgia Regiment, composed of Fifty-fourth and 
Thirty-seventh Georgia and Fourth Georgia Battalion Sharj^shooters 
(consolidated). Col. T. D. Caswell. Govan's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. D. C. 
Govan: Arkansas Regiment, composed of First, Second, Fifth, Sixth, 
Seventh, Eighth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Nineteenth an'd Twenty -fourth 
Arkansas and Third Confederate (consolidated), Col. E. A. Howell; Texas 
Regiment, composed of Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, 
Eighteenth, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Texas (consolidated), 
Lieut. -Col. W. A. Ryan. 

Hoke's Division, Maj. -Gen. R. F. Hoke. Clingman's Brigade: 
Eighth North Carolina, Lieut. -Col. R. A. Barrier; Thirty-first North 
Carolina, Col. C. W. Knight; Thirty-sixth and Fortieth North Carolina, 
Maj. W. A. Holland; Fifty-first North Carolina, Capt. J. W. Lippitt; 
Sixty-first North Carolina, Capt. S. W. Noble. Colquitt's Brigade: 
Sixth Georgia, Maj. J. M. Culpepper; Nineteenth Georgia, Lieut. -Col. 
R. B. Hogan; Twenty-third Georgia, Col. M. R. Ballinger; Twenty- 
seventh Georgia, Lieut. -Col. H. Bussey; Twenty-eighth Georgia, Capt. 
G. W. Warthen. Haygood's Brigade: Eleventh South Carolina, Capt. 
B. F. Wyman; Twenty -first South Carolina, Capt. J. W. Thomas (prob- 
ably Lieut. -Col. J. A. "W. Thomas) ; Twenty-fifth South Carolina, Capt. 

^Organization for period ending April 17, 1865. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 615 

E. E. Lesesne; Twenty-seventh South Carolina, Capt. T. Y. Simons; 
Seventh South Carolina Battalion, Capt. Wm. Clyburn. Kirkland's 
Brigade: Seventeenth North Carolina, Lieut. -Col. T H. Sharp; Forty- 
second North Carolina, Col. J. E. Brown; Fiftieth North Carolina, Col. 
Geo. Wortham; Sixty-sixth North Carolina, Col. J. H. Nethercutt. 
First Brigade Junior Reserves: First North Corolina, Lieut.-Col. C. W. 
Broadfoot; Second North Carolina, Col. J, H. Anderson; Third North 
Carolina, Col. J. W. Hinsdale; First North Carolina Battalion, Capt. C. 
M. Hall. 

Cheatham's Division, Maj. -Gen. B. F. Cheatham. Palmer's Brigade: 
Field's Eegiment, First, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, Sixteenth, Twenty -seventh, 
Twenty-eighth and Thirty-fourth Tennessee Regiments and Twenty- 
fourth Tennessee Battalion (consolidated), Lieut.-Col. O. A. Bradshaw; 
Rice's Regiment, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Twenty-ninth, Forty- 
seventh, Fiftieth, Fifty -first, Fifty-second and One Hundred and Fifty- 
fourth Tennessee (consolidated), Lieut.-Col. W. A. Pease ( ?) ; Searcy's 
Regiment, Second, Third, Tenth, Fifteenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth, 
Twenty-sixth, Thirtieth, Thirty-second, Thirty-seventh and Forty-fifth 
Tennessee Regiments and Twenty -third Tennessee Battalion (consoli- 
dated). Col. A. Searcy; Tillman's Regiment, Fourth, Fifth, Nineteenth, 
Twenty-fourth, Thirty-first, Thirty-third, Thirty-fifth Thirty-eighth, and 
Forty-first Tennessee (consolidated), Col. J. D. Tillman. Gist's 
Brigade: Forty-sixth Georgia, Capt. A. Miles; Sixty-fifth Georgia and 
Second and Eighth Georgia Battalions (consolidated). Col. W. G. 
Foster; Sixteenth and Twenty-fourth South Carolina (consolidated), 
Maj. B. B. Smith. 

Stewart's Army Corps, Lieut. -Gen. A. P. Stewart, commanding. 

Loring's Division, Maj. -Gen. W. W. Loring. Featherston's Brigade. 
First Arkansas ; First, Second, Fourth, Ninth and Twenty-fifth Arkansas 
(consolidated) ; Third, Thirty-first and Fortieth Mississippi (consoli, 
dated) ; First, Twenty-second and Thirty-third Mississippi and First 
Battalion (consolidated). Lowry's Brigade: Twelfth Louisiana, Capt. 
J. A. Dixon; Fifth, Fourteenth and Forty-third Mississippi (consolidat- 
ed) ; Sixth, Fifteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-third Mississippi (consoli- 
dated). Shelley's Brigade: Sixteenth, Thirty-third and Forty-fifth Ala- 
bama (consolidated) ; Twenty-seventh Alabama ; Twenty-seventh, Thirty- 
fifth, Forty -ninth. Fifty-fifth and Fifty-seventh Alabama (consolidated), 
Lieut.-Col. Daniel (probably J. W. L. Daniel, of the Fifteenth Alabama). 

Anderson's Division, Maj. -Gen. Patton Anderson. Elliott's Brigade: 
Twenty-second Georgia Artillery Battalion, Maj. M. J. McMuUen; 
Twenty-seventh Georgia Battalion, Maj. A. L. Hartridge; Second South 



616 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Carolina Artillery, Maj. F. F. Warley; Manigault's Battalion, Lieut. H. 
Klatte. Eliett's Brigade: First Soutli Carolina, Maj. T. A. Huguenin; 
First Soutli Carolina Artillery, Lieut. -Col. J. A. Yates; Lucas' 
Battalion, Maj. J. J. Lucas. 

Walthall's Division, Maj. -Gen. E. C. Waltliall. Harrison's Brigade: 
First Georgia Regulars, Fifth Georgia, Fifth Georgia Reserves, Maj. C. 
E. McGregor; Thirty-second Georgia, Lieut. -Col. E. H. Bacon, Jr., 
Forty-seventh Georgia and Bouaud's Battalion (consolidated). Con- 
ner's Brigade: Second South Carolina Volunteers, composed of Second 
and Twentieth South Carolina and Blanchard's Reserves (consolidated) ; 
Third South Carolina Volunteers, composed of Third and Eighth Regi- 
ments, Third South Carolina Battalion and Blanchard's Reserves (con- 
solidated) ; Seventh South Carolina Volunteers, composed of Seventh 
and Fifteenth South Carolina and Blanchard's Reserves (consolidated). 

Lee's Army Corps, Lieut. -Gen. S. J). Lee, commanding. 

Hill's Division, Maj. -Gen. D. H. Hill. Sharp's Brigade^ Brig. -Gen. 
J. H. Sharp: Fourteenth Alabama, composed of Twenty-fourth, Twenty- 
eighth and Thirty-fourth Alabama (consolidated). Col. J. C. Carter.; 
Eighth Mississippi Battalion (?), composed of Third Mississippi Bat- 
talion, and Fifth, Eighth and Thirty-second Mississippi Regiments 
(consolidated), Capt. J. Y. Carmack; Ninth Mississippi, composed of 
Ninth Battalion Mississippi Sharpshooters, and Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, 
Forty-first and Forty-fourth Mississippi Regiments (consolidated) > 
CoL W. C. Richards; Nineteenth South Carolina, composed of Tenth 
and Nineteenth South Carolina (consolidated), Maj. James O. Farrell. 
Brantley's Brigade, Brig. -Gen. AV. F. Brantley: Twenty-second Ala- 
bama, composed of Twenty-second, Twenty-fifth, Thirty -ninth and Fifti- 
eth Alabama (consolidated). Col. H. T. Toulmin; Thirty-seventh Ala- 
bama, composed of Thirty-seventh, Forty-second and Fifty-fourth Ala- 
bama (consolidated). Col. J. A. Minter; Twenty-fourth Mississippi, com- 
posed of Twenty-fourth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and 
Thirty-fourth Mississippi (consolidated), Col. R. W. Williamson; Fifty- 
eighth North Carolina, composed of Fiftieth and Sixtieth North Carolina 
(consolidated). 

Stevenson's Division, Maj. -Gen. C. L. Stevenson. Henderson's Bri- 
gade: First Georgia (Confederate) Battalion, composed of First (Con- 
federate) Georgia Regiment, First Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters, 
Twenty-fifth, Twenty -ninth. Thirtieth and Sixty-sixth Georgia (consoli- 
dated), Capt. W. J. Whitsitt; Thirty-ninth Georgia, composed of nine 
companies of Thirty-fourth Georgia, six companies of Fifty-sixth Georgia 
and all of Thirty-ninth Georgia, Lieut. -Col. W. P. Milton; Fortieth 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 617 

Georgia Battalion, composed o£ Fortieth, Forty-First and Forty-third 
Georgia (consolidated), Lieut.-Col, W. H, Dunnall; Forty-second 
Georgia, composed of ten companies of Forty-second Georgia, ten com- 
panies of Thirty-sixth Georgia, two companies of Fifty-sixth Georgia 
and one company of Thirty-fourth and Thirty-sixth Georgia, Lieut.-Col. 
L. P. Thomas. Pettus' Brigade: Nineteenth Alabama, Lieut.-Col. E. S. 
GuUey; Twentieth Alabama, Lieut.-Col. J. K. Elliott (belonged to Thir- 
tieth Alabama); Twenty-third Alabama, Maj. J. T. Hester; Fifty-fourth 
Virginia Battalion, Lieut.-Col. C. H. Lynch. 

Stewart's Artillery Corps. 

K. B. Ehett's Battalion; Anderson's Battery, Capt. E. W. (?) Ander- 
son; Brook's Battery (probably Terrel Artillery) ; Le Gardeurs' Battery, 
Capt. G. Le Gardeur; Parker's Battery, Capt. Ed L. Parker; Stuart's 
Battery, Capt. H. M. Stuart; Wheaton's Battery, Capt, J. F. Wheaton. 
Lee's Corps: Kanapaux's Battery, Capt. J. T. Kauapaux. 



CHAPTER XVIL* 

Tennessee Literature— A Catalogue of the Leading Literary Men and 
Women of the State, with the Titles of their Productions, and with 
Analytical Keviews of Styles, Methods and General Merits; to- 
gether WITH A Comprehensive Presentation of the Origin, Success 
AND Variation of the State Press. 

THE activities of the pioneer intellect at the period of the earliest 
settlement of Tennessee were engrossed in what was of more im- 
mediate, importance than the writing of history. Prior thereto a glimpse 
of the people and of the physical geography of the mountainous section 
of the State may be had in a rare and valuable old book published in 
London in 1775, "Adair's History of the American Lidians." Adair, as 
an Indian trader, was among the Cherokees of East Tennessee a long 
time before the French and Indian War, when the fierce and haughty 
Cherokee warriors ruled the land "untrammeled and alone." A map 
accompanying the volume calls the Tennessee Eiver the Tanase. The 
men of action— the heroes who planted the white race in this hot-bed of 
aboriginal hostility, in the latter part of the eighteenth and the earlier 
part of the nineteenth century, were too much engrossed by the sword 
to find much time for the pen. 

The list of Tennessee authors found in works devoted to that subject 

♦Prepared for this work by " Mary Faith Floyd" of Knoxville. 



618 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

is not SO large as that of other Southern States. It has been said, "The 
fame of a great man needs time to give it perspective." This is essen- 
tially true of authors, and it remains for the future biographer, after 
time has done its work in giving due perspective to the great minds of 
our State, to do justice to the merits and works of Tennessee's eminent 
literary laborers. Among writers historians may well be mentioned 
first. Judge John Haywood is earliest on the list. The son of a farmer 
of Halifax County, N. C, he had no opportunity for collegiate education, 
but learned some Latin and Greek and studied law, beginning with the 
study of "Reynolds' Reports," thence advancing from particulars to gen- 
eral principles. He became attorney-general of North Carolina in 1794, 
and soon afterward judge of the superior court of law and eqinty. In 
1800 he returned to legal practice. Judge HayAVOod removed to Tennes- 
see in 1807, and located seven miles south of Nashville. He was fond 
of applause; became judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee in 1816. 
Mr. Hiram Barry (the oldest printer in the State), who was personally 
acquainted Avith Judge Haywood, says, "He Avas of Ioav stature and very cor- 
pulent." He Avrote a very difficult hand to read, and Mr. Barry Avho set 
the type in the printing of "Haywood's History," was the only printer who 
could decipher it. Judge Haywood was author of " Natural and Abo- 
riginal History of Tennessee," "History of Tennessee from 1770 to 1795,'* 
"The Evidences of Christianity." " Haywood's History" is written in 
narrative style without rhetorical ornament, and it is not always as clear 
as the relation of historic events ought to be. It contains a mass of val- 
uable materials relative to early events and it is now a rare book. The 
mistake is made of locating Fort Loudon on the north side of the Little 
Tennessee. It was situated on the south side of that stream.* 

Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey was of Scotch descent. His father was a gal- 
lant soldier of the Revolutionary war, fighting under Gen. Washington 
at Valley Forge, Trenton and Princeton. Dr. Ramsey was born in Knox 
County, six miles east of Knoxville, in 1797, and died in that place in 
1884, in his eighty-eighth year. He lies buried at Mecklenburg, four 
miles east of Knoxville, at the confluence of the Tennessee and French 
Broad Rivers. He read medicine under Dr. Joseph Strong, was gradu- 
ated in the University of Pennsylvania, and was a practitioner most of 
his life. In the late war, being an ardent secessionist, he was compelled 
to leave the State during Federal occupation in 1863-65, He went to 
North Carolina and remained there some years. In 1853 he brought out 
his "Annals of Tennessee," a valuable compend of history up to the close 
of the eighteenth century. He had the manuscripts of the second volume 

*See Aboriginal map accoinpaDying this yolume. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 619 

ready for the printer, but the family residence, while he was in exile, 
was burnt, and with it the manuscripts and many valuable papers. Dr. 
Ramsey ranks high as an author. He was a polished and fluent writer, 
and possessed a large fund of information on all subjects. "Annals of 
Tennessee" is a store-house of knowledge to the future historian. It 
evinces much research and is very accurate and reliable. He was also 
the author of many elegant addresses, essays and poems. For some 
years he was president of the Historical Society of Tennessee. 

A. Waldo Putnam published in Nashville, in 1859, Putnam's " His- 
tory of Middle Tennessee, or Life and Times of Gen. James Robertson." 
It appears from the title page that Mr. Putnam was president of the 
Tennessee Historical Society. He was born in Belfast, Ohio, in 1799, 
and was graduated at the University of Ohio. He wrote the sketch of 
Gen. John Sevier in "Wheeler's History of North Carolina," and a volume 
entitled "Life and Times of John Sevier." Mr. Putnam married a de- 
scendant of Gen. Sevier. The preface to " History of Middle Tennes- 
see " is pleasing and somewhat fanciful. The work is a comprehensive 
account of the settlement of the Cumberland Valley, and abounds in the 
incidents and dangers that follow life in the wilderness. In addition to 
the historical works mentioned is Clayton's " History of Davidson Coun- 
ty, Tennessee," an important and valuable work, giving much detailed, 
and statistical information. 

" Military Annals of Tennessee " is the title of an octavo volume con- 
taining 882 pages of closely printed matter, recently issued under the 
supervision of Dr. J. Berrien Lindsley. The first thirty pages are de- 
voted to a brief sketch of the war in Tennessee, by J. M. Keating, of 
Memphis. This is followed by a sketch of the Army of Tennessee, by 
Alexander P. Stewart, of Oxford, Miss. The remainder of the work is 
given to histories of the various Confederate regiments, written by some 
member familiar with their movements. The book is magnificently il- 
lustrated with portraits of many leading Confederates of Tennessee. 

As early as 1834 Eastin Morris brought out "Tennessee Gazetteer, 
or Topographical Dictionary " of the State of Tennessee. It is a valu- 
able compendium of the history of the State, from earliest times to 1834, 
including the constitution of Tennessee framed by the convention of 
1834. A second edition of this book was published in Nashville, ac- 
companied by ample foot notes. 

Paschall is the author of "Old Times, or Tennessee History," a work 
for schools. Knowing the love children have for " story-reading," Pas- 
chall has arranged historic facts in a most agreeable form. Each chap- 
ter, as far as possible, has a beginning and ending, and by this means 



620 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

each fragment of history becomes a unit and fastens firmly in the mind 
of the juvenile reader. Mr. Paschall was an old school-teacher, and his 
excellent little book is the result of long experience in the best methods 
of enlisting interest in young peOple for grave study. Another book 
much valued is "Life as it is, or Matters and Things in General," pub-' 
lished in Knoxville in 1844, by J. W. M. Brazeale. This book has many 
historic facts and comments on the customs of the early settlers of Ten- 
nessee. There is a good article on the battle of King's Mountain, and 
an account of the "Harps," two noted murderers who, without being 
robbers, went about the county committing atrocious murders, appar- 
ently as a pleasure. No doubt, De Quincy-like, they considered murder 
"one of the fine arts." Brazeale was a native of Roane County, and 
practiced law in Athens, Tenn. 

Mr. Wilkins Tannehill is the author of "History of Literature," "Man- 
ual of Freemasonry" and several other works of ability. He was a dis- 
tinguished light in the Masonic fraternity, and is said to have been a forci- 
ble and fluent writer. Clark's "Miscellany of Prose and Poetry" is some- 
thing in the line of English literature. 

" Jack Robinson" is the author of " The Savage," a book of pungent 
essays, criticising the life and usages of the civilized man, in contrast 
with those of the aboriginal savage. It purports to be written by " Pio- 
mingo, a chief of the Muscogulgee nation," published in Knoxville in 
1833. The author was a Tennesseean, born probably in Carter County, 
where he committed a homicide early in life; whence his after life was 
poisoned by remorse. He is said to have lived a veritable hermit's life, 
in which existence these essays were written. Robinson is accredited 
with the authorship of a forcible poem in the same solemn vein as Gray's 
Elegy, but any certain facts of his career seem lost. 

Prior to 1804 Willie Blount's " Catechetical Exposition of the Con- 
stitution of the State of Tennessee" was published. This is a work for 
the use of schools written in conversational style. Abijah Fowler of 
Washington County, in 1838, brought out "Fowler's Arithmetic," a text- 
book of much popularity in this region at that period. "Biblical Nom- 
enclature or Vocabulary of the Principal Part of the Proper Names Con- 
tained in the Bible, with their Signification, together with Scriptural 
Tables of Money, Weights and Measures, to which is added President 
Washington's Valedictory Address, Intended for the Use of Schools; by 
John Wilkinson. Heiskell & Brown, printers, Knoxville, Tenn., 1820." 
The book is recommended as one "of ability, judgment and care," and 
persons are urged to patronize it, by Isaac Anderson, John McCamp- 
bell, Robert Hardin. August, 1819. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 621 

Clerical writers are numerous. One of the most fluent and prolific is 
Kev. David Kice McAnallj, D. D., of the Methodist Church, South; a 
native of Grainger County, born in 1810, and for some years a resident 
of Knoxville. He was president of the East Tennessee Female Institute 
in Knoxville for eight years. He removed to St. Louis in 1851, where 
he still edits the St. Louis Christian Advocate. He is a man of exten- 
sive reading and great charity of mind ; is remarkable for clearness and 
vigor of style, and is perfectly fearless in advocating his convictions of 
right. He does not mince matters, but calls things by their right names 
and is bold in denouncing vice, while he is liberal and kind to all. His 
works are "Martha Laurens Ramsey," a biography of a lady of South 
Carolina; " Life and Times of Rev. William Patton;" " Life and Times 
of Rev. Samuel Patton, D. D. ;" "A Hymn J^ook;" " A Sunday-school 
Manual;" "Annals of the Holston Conference." 

Rev. J. B. McFerrin, D. D., the head of the Methodist Publishing 
House at Nashville, is the author of a learned and important work, "His- 
tory of Methodism in Tennessee," published at Nashville in 187'2 in 
three volumes. He was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., June 15, 1807 ; 
entered the ministry at eighteen and has filled many prominent positions 
in the Methodist Church ever since. His name is identified with the 
history of the church, and he has shared in its " deliberative assemblies, 
and pursued his life-work with a concentration of purpose seldom 
equaled." He ranks as a man of the rarest courage which is stimulated 
and increased when surrounded by difiiculties, and he is never found 
wanting in any emergency. As an orator he possessed wit, humor, pa- 
thos, and his sermons "engage attention, command confidence and 
awaken conscience." 

Among early clerical writers was Rev. Abel Pearson, author of " An 
Analysis of the Principles of Divine Government," in a series of con- 
versations, and also " Conversations on Some Other Interesting Subjects, 
Particularly Relating to Same Principals, Between A. P. and N. P. ; and 
a Dissertation on the Prophecies in Reference to the Rise and Fall of 
the Beast; The Cleansing of the Sanctuary; The Beginning and Dura- 
tion of the Millennium, and the Little Season; together with a Calcula- 
tion Shewing the Exact Time of the Death of Christ; and, also, Calcu- 
lations Shewing the Precise Time of the Rise and Fall of the Beast and 
the Beginning of the Millennium, etc. ; by Abel Pearson, Minister of the 
Gospel, Athens, Tenn., 1833." The whole title of the book is given as a 
specimen of prolixity. 

Rev. David Nelson, a man of fine attainments, published " The Cause 
and Cure of Infidelity." He married in Tennessee and resided in the 

39 



622 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

State many years. Rev. Robert A. Young, D. D., a native of Knox 
County, is the author of a book called " Reply to Ariel," written m 
answer to "Ariel," by J. B. Payne, and of "Personages." Dr. Young re- 
sides in Nashville, and is a prominent divine in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South. " Brief Biographical Sketches of Some of the Early 
Ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church," is the production of 
Rev. Richard Baird, published in Nashville in 1867. Rev. W. T. Helms, 
an Episcopal clergyman, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., wrote a poem of 
twelve books, entitled "Moses Resisted." Two poems, "Smith and 
Pocahontas," " Centennial Poem," are the work of Rev. Joseph H. 
Martin, D. D. ; Dr. Martin is a native of Dandridge, is a man of fine cult- 
ivation, and has written many popular hymns. Rev. Robert Mack, in 
1834, published " Kyle Stuart, with other Poems," a remarkable book; 
and " The Moriad," another poem. Bishop H. N. McTyeire is the author 
of a little Avork called "Duties of Christian Masters," published in Nash- 
ville in 1859, and " History of Methodism" and " A Catechism of Church 
Government." He has been a constant writer for the press and was at 
one time editor of the St. Louis Christian Advocate. R. H. Rivers, D. 
D., wrote two valuable text books, " Mental Philosophy" and " Moral 
Philosophy." Father Ryan, author of the inimitable wail "The Con- 
quered Banner," was for a long time a resident of Knoxville, and Ten- 
nesseeans feel proud of his genius, although he is not a native of the 
State. 

Rev. William G. Brownlow, governor of Tennessee, wrote quite a 
number of books. His first publication was " Helps to the Study of 
Presbyterianism ;" 1834. It is theological and controversial, and con- 
tains an autobiographical stetch. In 1844 he published " Life of 
Henry Clay and Political Register." This was followed by "The Great 
Iron Wheel Examined." In 1858 appeared " Debate between W. G. 
Brownlow and Rev. A. Pryne," and in 1862 "Parson Brownlow' s Own 
Book," an account of his maltreatment by the hated secessionists. Mr. 
Brownlow led a life of incessant activity as editor, politician and 
preacher. "He was," says a critic, "extreme in all things." In pri- 
vate life he was kind, charitable and helpful ; was successively governor 
of Tennessee and Senator of the United States. 

Rev. Frederick A. Ross, D. D., a resident of this State for many 
years, was the author of "Slavery Ordained by God," published in 1857. 
Dr. Ross was a most accomplished scholar and a man of genius. He 
lived to a very great age and was an eminent divine. 

Medical writers were Dr. Isaac Wright, author of " Wright's Family 
Medicine, or System of Domestic Practice," and Dr. John C. Gunn, 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 623 

autlior of " Guun's Domestic Medicine," published in Knosville in 1830. 
The essays on the passions in this book were written by a remarkable 
man named Charles Cassedy. Cassedy was said to be the " Milford 
Bard" in "Field's Scrap Book." Dr. Thomas A. Anderson wrote the 
" Practical Monitor, for the Preservation of Health and the Prevention 
of Disease." He considered blood-letting a cure for all diseases. He 
was a native of East Tennessee, and was a man of learning. 

Authors of works on geology are James M. Safford, A. M., author of 
" Geology of Tennessee," published by the State at Nashville in 1869. 
This work was received by scientists and the general public with great 
favor. Dr. Safford and J. B. Killebrew, brought out a " School Geology 
of Tennessee," chiefly compiled from the foregoing. J. B. Killebrew 
published in Nashville a valuable volume entitled " Resources of Ten- 
nessee." William G. McAdoo is author of an " Elementary Geology of 
Tennessee," a briefer and simpler work than the preceding, adapted to 
less advanced pupils. 

Hon. T. A. R. Nelson is author of " East Tennessee," and " Seces- 
sion," and another very vigorous poem, a satire in the Hudibrastic style, 
an account of the canvass of the Legislature for the office of United 
States Senator, entitled " King Caucus." Mr. Nelson was a man of large 
talent, enriched by varied cultivation. He held many important offices, 
and was on the defense in the impeachment trial of President Johnson 
in 1868. He was a native of Roane County, born in 1812, and died of 
cholera in 1872 being then a judge of the supreme court. 

"Life of Capt. William B. Allen," was from the pen of Hon. A. O. 
P. Nicholson, a very able jurist. A contemporary says, "His writings 
are characterized by a style so lucid, and argumentation so logical as to 
entitle him to rank among the masters of model English." " A Ten- 
nesseean Abroad" is the work of Maj. Randall W. McGavock, in 1856. 
He was a gallant soldier and fell on the Confederate side. " The 
World's Wonder," a Masonic exposition, was the work of Johnson and 
Henderson. Capt. James Williams was author of " Old Line Whig Let- 
ters," which appeared in the Nashville Union, in 1846. Tennessee 
claims as one of her sons the distinguished author, Matthew Fontaine 
Maury. Commodore Maury's works and labors in the cause of science 
are so well known they need not be mentioned here. 

The famous hunter and humorist. Col. David Crcfckett, is credited 
with the authorship of several works: "Exploits in Texas," "Tour 
Down East," "Autobiography," "Sketches and Eccentricities" and 
" Song Book." It is strange that this self-made and eccentric celeb- 
rity, who never had but two months' instruction in reading and writing, 



624 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

should have produced by the native force of intellect so many readable 
books. Doubtless the notoriety he acquired by his singular manner, 
and his odd turns of expression aided in the success of his productions. 

Hon. Joseph C. Guild was the author of "Old Times in Tennessee." 
The works of J. R. Graves are "The Desire or all Nations," "The Watch- 
man's Reply," "The Trilemma," "The First Baptist Church in Ameri- 
ca," "The Little Iron AVheel," "The Bible Doctrine of the Middle 
Life," "The Great Iron Wheel," "Exposition of Modern Spiritualism," 
"The New Hymn and Tune Book," "The Little Seraph," "Old Land- 
markism; What it is." Mr. Graves is a native of Chester, Vi, born 
April 10, 1820. His father died when the child was three weeks old. 
He was converted at the age of iifteen, and made principal of Keysville 
(Ohio) Academy when nineteen; came to Nashville in 1845, where he 
taught school, had charge of a church and became the editor of The 
Tennessee Bapiisi, and still continues in that position. 

"Woodville" is a novel of East Tennessee life, published in Knox- 
ville. Many of the characters are supposed to have been taken from real 
life, and some of the scenes are laid at Montvale Springs. Mr, Todd, a 
theological student at Maryville many years ago, is said to be the author. 
Abram Caruthers wrote a text-book entitled "History of a Lawsuit." 
Dr. P. O. Fitzgerald is the author of "Life of Dr. T. O. Summers," 
"Glimpses of Truth" and "Centenary Cameos." He is a native of North 
Carolina. 

Rev. W. P. Harrison, editor of the Southern Meihodlsi Revieio, has 
published "Theophilus Walton," a reply to " Theodosia Ernest," 1858; 
"Lights and Shadows of Fifty Years," published under the nom de 
plume Henry Hartwell, in 1883. (This is a book of short sketches from 
real life.) " The Living Christ," 1884; "The High Churchman Dis- 
armed," in 1886. Mr. Harrison has been connected with the Methodist 
Publishing House since 1882, and in that time has edited over 100 books. 

" Biographical Sketches " of Tennessee Baptists, by Rev. Joseph H. 
Borim, was published in 1880. It is a very flattering account of Baptist 
ministers, both past and present, who have labored in Tennessee, and is 
written in the form of sketches. Dr. A. H. Bedford wrote "History of 
Methodism in Kentucky," "AVestern Cavaliers," "Fred Brennam," "Rus- 
sell Morton," "A Preacher's Wife." The last three are religious novels. 

Rev. Philip Eindsley, D. D., was born in New Jersey, in 1786; be- 
came a preacher in the Presbyterian Church and rose to such eminence 
that, in 1834, he was chosen unanimously moderator of the General As- 
sembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, then holding its 
sessions at Philadelphia. He occupied distinguished positions, many of 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 625 

them thrust upon him without solicitation. In 1825 he was inaugurated 
president of Dickenson College, Nashville, Tenn. The name of this in- 
stitution was changed the next year to the University of Nashville. • He 
was among the very foremost men of his day in the work of higher ed- 
ucation. He was much esteemed by the public as a man of great genius, 
and his work in the educational department was nobly executed and pro- 
ductive of beneficial results. His publications were chiefly in the form 
of addresses on education. They were published in three large volumes, 
with a memoir, by Le Koy J. Halsey, D. D. 

Samuel D. Baldwin is the author of "Armageddon, or the Overthrow 
of Eomanism and Monarchy," and "Life of Mrs. Sarah Norton." 
Thomas O. Summers, D. D., editor of Nashville Christian Advocate, 
is author of a number of works: "Baptism," "Golden Censer," "Holi- 
ness," "Eefutation of Payne," "Seasons, Months and Days," "Sunday- 
school Teacher," "Sunday-school Speaker," "Talks Pleasant and Profit- 
able," "Scripture Catechism." 

W. M. Baskerville, professor of English language and literature in 
Vanderbilt University, published first a piece of Anglo-Saxon prose for 
his doctor's degree at the University of Leipsic. This was followed by 
an "Anglo-Saxon Poem" in 1885. Mr. Baskerville then brought out a 
joint work with Prof. James A. Harrison, an "Anglo-Saxon Dictionary," 
also published in 1885. Mr. Baskerville was born in Fayette County, 
Tenn., April 1, 1850. After attending several prominent institutions 
of learning in the United States he went to the University of Leipsic, 
where he received the degree of Ph. D. 

"Early Times in Middle Tennessee," by John Carr, was published in 
1857. The preface is written by Dr. J. B. McFerrin. The book con- 
tains a series of sketches on the history of Middle Tennessee, which were 
first published in the Nashville Christian Advocate. Much of the book 
is given to early religious history, and it contains biographies of pioneer 
preachers and one of the author. 

"Life and Times of EJder Reuben Ross," an interesting and well 
written book, by James Ross, with an introduction and notes by J. M. 
Pendleton, was published 1882. Elder Ross was born in North Carolina, 
in 1776. He came to Tennessee in 1807, after having been ordained to 
the ministry, and for fifty years was a noted preacher. The history of 
his life covers one of the most important periods in the vfeligious history 
of the State. 

J. H. Brunner, D. D., president of Hiwassee College, has published 
"Sunday Evening Talks" and "The Union of the Churches." The Rev. 
O. P. Fitzgerald, editor of the Nashville Christian Advocate, is the 



626 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

author of "California Sketches," two volumes; "Christian Growth" and 
"The Class Meeting." "The Sunday-school and its Methods" is a vol- 
ume published at Nashville, 1883, by Eev. James A. Lyons, a native of 
Knoxville, Tenn., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 
Georo-e W. Harris, author of "Sut Lovingood's Yarns," a humorous book, 
was born in Knoxville, Tenn. His book had a wide popularity, especially 
among young readers. 

Leo-al writers are Hon. William F. Cooper, author of "Cooper's Chan- 
cery Eeports," reported and edited by himself; Wesley J. Hicks, author 
of "Hicks' Manual;" William C. Kain, author of "Tennessee Justice and 
Legal Adviser," and Henry S. Foote, author of "Foote's Bench and Bar 
of the Southwest." 

"A Review of Uncle Tom's Cabin, or an Essay on Slavery," is the 
work of A. Woodward, M. D,, published in Cincinnati in 1853. ^ Dr. 
Woodward lived in Knoxville for many years where he practiced his 
profession, and has left a large family. His little book is very credit- 
able, and the views on Southern customs and the estimate of character 
are just and impartial "Old Times in West Tennessee," published in 
Memphis, 1873, and copyrighted by Joseph S. Williams in the same 
year, is a book by "A Descendant of One of the First Settlers." 

The most prominent of the female authors of Tennessee is Miss Mary 
N. Murfree, whose pseudonym is Charles Egbert Craddock. Miss Mur- 
free is a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Loss of property induced her 
father, who is a prominent lawyer, to live on the old Dickenson planta- 
tion. It was the isolated life there that led the young girl to reflection 
and introspection, and developed her keen observation of nature's mys- 
teries, which plumed her pen for its exquisite descriptions of scenery. 
Miss Murfree touches the very core of nature and reveals all her hidden 
lore, presenting it to the reader in gorgeous coloring. Many visits to 
the mountains of East Tennessee made her familiar with the customs 
and dialect of the mountaineers. This practical knowledge, added to the 
wealth of imagination she possesses, formed the conjunction necessary 
to perfect the genius. All the prominent journals of the country accord 
the very highest praise to Miss Murfree. She is said to be the "most 
powerful and original of the 'southern school' of romanticists." Says 
the Boston Traveller: "Here is the positive, brilliant, glowing genius 
that has cut its own channel and made its own place." Her productions 
are "Li the Tennessee Mountains," "Down the Ravine," "The Prophet 
of the Great Smoky Mountains" and maily other contributions to period- 
icals; also "Where the Battle was Fought." The publication of her fii-st 
work entitled her, justly, to the front rank among novelists, and her merit 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 627 

is acknowledged by all lovers of the beautiful, who look on her produc- 
tions as a new voice of delight in the world of fiction. 

Mrs. L. Virginia French was by birth a Yirginian. At an early age 
she was sent by her father to her maternal grandmother in Washington, 
Penn., where she was educated. In 1848, having finished her education, 
she became a teacher in Memphis. Her maiden nom de plume was Z/' 
Inconnue. She published, in 1856, "Wind Whispers," a book of fugi- 
tive poems; "Legends of the South," in verse; "Iztalilxo, the Lady of 
Tala," a tragedy in five acts, the scene laid in Mexico; "My Eoses," a 
novel of Southern life in 1872. In 1879, "Darlingtonia," a novel, ran 
as a serial in the Detroit Free Press. She occupied the position of ed- 
itor to many ]n-ominent literary journals of the South. She is best 
known as a poet. Her verse is full of tone and imagination, and her 
drama lias been compared to "Ion" and "The Lady of Lyons." She 
led a life of excessive literary activity and usefulness. She died at Mc- 
Minnville, March 31, 1881. Since her death her sister, Mrs. Lide Meri- 
weather, also an authoress, has published a volume of poems entitled "One 
or Two," the joint work of these gifted sisters. Mrs. Meriweather re- 
sided in Memphis for many years, and at that time published two books, 
"Soundings" and "Souls for Sale." "Soundings," a prose work, was 
written with the noble endeavor to elevate and restore to honest effort 
those who, by one false step, are tossed by custom into the bitter gulf of 
degradation, without one hope of repentance or of restoration to a more 
upright career, to which some might attain if the hand-grasp of pitying 
women was held out to them. Mrs. Meriweather is also a poet of ability. 
"October" is a handsome specimen of suggestive style. 

Mrs. iVnnie Chambers Ketchum was born in Keijtucky, and removed 
to Memphis after her marriage. While there, she became the editor of 
the Lotos, a literary magazine. In 1856 she brought out a novel, "Nelly 
Bracken" which was favorably received ; "Rilla Motto," a romance writ- 
ten for the Lotos in 1860; "Lotos Flowers," a volume of miscellaneous 
poems. "Benny," a Christmas ballad which appeared in the Home 
Journal, attracted much attention. Besides literary ability and rare no- 
bility of nature, Mrs. Ketchum is gifted with beauty, fine conversational 
powers and a voice of great compass and sweetness. Her teacher. Prof. 
Wright Merrick, says: "In the classics, in the sciences, she is equally at 
home; in modern languages, music and drawing she excels as well. I 
have never known her peer." She has traveled in Europe recently, and 
is still actively engaged in literary work. 

Mrs. Adelia C. Graves, nee Spencer, wife of Z. C. Graves, president 
at that time of Kingsville Academy, and founder of Mary SharpeCol- 



628 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

lege, Winchester, Tenii., is an authoress. She was for some time pro- 
fessor of Latin and hcUes-lettres and afterward matron and professor 
of rhetoric in the Winchester College. She has written many fugitive 
poems and two prose tales, "Ruined Lives," published in the South- 
ern i?eposi7o?"?/, Memphis, and a drama, "Jephtha's Daughter." She had 
also a work on "Woman; her Education, Aims, Sphere, Influence and 
Destiny." 

Mrs. Mary E. Pope, Memphis, for some time principal of a flourish- 
ing school for young ladies, is the authoress of fugitive poems ; one entitled 
"The Gift of Song." Martha W. Brown, who wrote under the pseudonym 
of Estelle, resided in Memphis. She contributed numerous poems to 
The Southern Literary Messenger; "Thou Art Growing Old,. Mother," 
is said to be the very essence of the poetry of the heart. 
^ 1 Mrs. Amanda Bright was born in Alabama and removed early in life 
to Fayetteville, Tenn. Her eldest son was killed at the battle of Seven 
Pines. Soon thereafter her second and only remaining child died. In 
her great sorrow she wrote a book, hoping to realize a sufficient sum 
to erect a monument to her sons' memory. "The Three Bernices, or 
Ansermo of the Crag" was the outcome of this design, published in 1869. 
Mrs. Bright has vivid imagination, richness and exuberance of style, 
and she paints nature with the rare and delicate touches of a true 
artist. She wrote other stories, "The Prince of Seir" among them. 

Miss Annie E. Law, long a resident of Tennessee, is of Englisli birth 
and now lives in California. She is a woman of great force of will, strong 
intellect and unflinching courage. She gave valuable aid in the war to 
the Confederates, to whose cause she was a devoted adherent. She was 
tried as a spy at Knosville in the war. She is authoress of many poems, 
one of the best being "Memories." Miss Law is also a learned concholo- 
gist, and has made many valuable contributions to that science. 

In 1867 Miss Zoda G. Smith published from the Southern Method- 
ist Publishing House at Nashville, under the nom de plume of "Elloie," 
a small volume of poems. Her verse is said to contain nothing morbid 
or insipid, but to elevate the heart, broken by earthly trials, into the 
purer atmosphere and brighter skies of heaven. Mrs. Bettie Meriwether, 
a great apostle of temperance, wrote a fine novel of much power, entitled 
"The Master of Redleaf," which was favorably received. She is a resi- 
dent of Memphis. "A Memoir of Hugh Lawson White," judge of the 
Supreme Court of Tennessee, and United States Senator, with selections 
from his speeches and correspondence, was published in 1856, by his 
granddaughter. Miss Nancy N. Scott. Mrs. Emma M. Blake, nee Rut- 
ledge, native of Nashville, and was educated there. She married Mr. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 629' 

Daniel Blake, an Englishman, a resident of Charleston, S. C. A vol- 
ume of her poems was printed by her friends after her death, as a 
memorial of her, entitled "Eeliqnige." Mrs. W. G. McAdoo is the 
author of two novels, "The Nereid" and "Eagle-Bend," the scenes laid 
in East Tennessee, and a number of serial stories. Mrs. Annie S. Gil- 
christ, of Nashville, is authoress of two novels of considerable merit, 
"Rosehurst" and "Harcourt," both published in Nashville. 

Mrs. Jane Tandy Chinn Cross was a native of Kentucky, but pub- 
lished her books in Nashville. She was twice married, and died in 1870. 
While on a European tour, she corresponded with The Nashville Christian 
Advocaie. She began writing for publication in 1851. Wrote a book 
of four volumes for children, and "Duncan Adair, or Captured in Escap- 
ing" and "Azile, A Story," Nashville, 1868. "Azile" is a very interesting 
story, the scene of the first part laid in Dresden, and changing to the 
Southern States at the outbreak of the war. Her style is polished, 
sprightly and lucid. Her portraiture of life in the South is graphic, and 
there are some fine art touches on German customs and amusements. 
Mrs. Whitson, resident of Murfreesboro, has published general biograph- 
ical works. The most important is a book of sketches of the last Gen- 
eral Assembly, which contains very flattering accounts of its members. 

JOUENALISM.* 

The first paper brought out in Tennessee was The Knoxville Gazette, 
which was published at Rogersville, November 5, 1791, by Mr. George 
Boul stone. The Gazette was a three-column paper of no great merit, 
and of little interest to the general • reader ; yet as the pioneer paper of 
the new region, it created quite an excitement among the rough settlers. 
It is supposed that Indian troubles prevented Mr. Roulstone from estab- 
lishing his paper at once in Knoxville. Although this town was laid out 
in 1792, many people regarded it as a myth, and the editor of The 
Gazette may have shared this belief. He, however, removed his paper after 
the issuance of a few numbers at Eogersville, and continued to publish it 
in Knoxville until his death, in 1804 Roulstone was printer to the Ter- 
ritorial and State Legislatures, and published AVillie Blount's "Catachet- 
ical Exposition of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee." He was 
public printer at the time of his death, and his wife was elected two suc- 
cessive terms to fill his place. Shb was Miss Gilliam, of Nashville, and 
has left many descendants in Middle Tennessee. 

Knoxville's second paper was The Knoxville Register, a weekly issue 
founded by G. Roulstone in 1798. The Register was in existence about 

*Much of the fact contained in the above sketch on the subject of journalism was kindly furnished by- 
Col. Moses White. 



630 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

two years when its editors G. Eoulstoue and John Rivington Parrington, 
published another paper called The Genius of Liberiy, a small paper not 
so large as either of the former, and by no means so sprightly in tone. 
This made Knoxville the mistress of three weeklies, a fine exhibition for 
a little frontier town in its babyhood. In 1804 George Wilson edited a 
paper known as Wilson''s Gazette, a much larger paper than its prede- 
cessors. It had five columns and ruled lines while the earlier issues had 
three columns and no lines. This paper continued until 1818 when Wil- 
son removed to Nashville and published The Nashville Gazette, a paper 
devoted to "Old Hickory's" service. 

The Knoxville Register, "the one that became an institution of Knox- 
ville," was established by F. S. Heiskill and Hu. Brown in August, 
1816. Maj. Heiskill came to Knoxville, in 1814, where he served "as 
journeyman printer on Wilson^s Gazette, then the only paper published 
in East Tennessee." He was a man of limited opportunities but strong 
native capacities and managed the political department of The Register 
with much ability. Hu. Brown was an accomplished scholar and fluent 
waiter, and he conducted the miscellaneous and literary parts of the paper 
with skill and success. In the bitter party strife which rent the country 
in the presidential campaign of Gen. Jackson and John Q. Adams The 
Register entered with vigor and enthusiasm, and bore a prominent part 
in that political storm. It also supported Judge Hugh L. AVhite for 
President in 1836. Between 1836 and 1839 The Register changed 
owners and editors several times, as well as names. Its existence con- 
tinued, with many vicissitudes, until after 1863, when it succumbed to 
the exigencies of the war. Up to 1859 The Register had been a Whig 
paper. In that year it became a strong Democratic sheet. 

Another paper. The Enquirer, began in Knoxville in 1823. Like other 
journals of this region it went through many changes of owners and 
editors. At one time Mr. Hiram Barry was its owner and publisher with 
J. J. Meredith as editor. Mr. Barry is a resident of Knoxville and the 
oldest printer in the State, he having come to that place in 1816. He is 
still an active citizen who can tell many interesting incidents of early 
affairs in Tennessee. As Knoxville grew other papers had their rise. 
The Hon. John R. Nelson, a distinguished lawyer, issued two papers, 
The Republican in 1831 and Uncle Sam in 1834. The Post was first 
brought out in Knoxville, in 1841, by Capt. James Williams. It was 
afterward removed to Athens and still continues there as The Athens 
Post, edited by Mr. Samuel P. Ivins. TJie Argus appeared in 1838. It 
was changed to Standard in 1844, and continued, with some changes, to 
1855. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. G31 

The Plebeian began as a Democratic weekly in 1850, and in 1851 was 
known as The Daily Morning Plebeian. This was the first daily ever 
published in Knoxville. Other minor papers flourished from 1853 to 
1857 ; and in 1858 Mr. John Mitchel, the Irish patriot, and Mr. W. G. 
Swan, of Knoxville, established an ultra pro-slavery paper called The 
Southern Citizen. Mr. Mitchel was a man of liberal education, polite 
address and keen wit, added to much boldness and independence of char- 
acter. Says a critic, " The Southei'n Citizen was conducted with ability, 
arrogance and intolerance seldom equaled." 

The war journals of Knoxville were The East Tennesseean, published 
by the Hon, John Baxter, as principal, in February, 1862, and The 
Southern Clironicle. The East Tennesseean was devoted to the support 
of the Confederate States in their war for independence. It had but one 
issue. The Soutliern Clironicle fell in 1863, on Federal occupation, 
Eogersville, in 1816,had a newspaper called The Roger sville Gazette, and in 
1850, The Bogersville Times was a lively and enterprising journal. Other 
towns in East Tennessee were not behind in publishing papers, Green- 
ville had, in 1822, an eight-paged paper entitled The American Economist 
and Weeldy Political Recorder, followed by The Miscellany and The 
Greeneville Spy, which continued until the war. 

The first paper ever published southwest of Knoxville, was The Val- 
ley Farmer, in Washington, Rhea County. This was removed subse- 
quently to Athens, under the name of Athens Gazette. In 1833 J. W. 
M. Brazeale, the author of " Life as it is," edited The Tennessee Journal 
at this place. As early as 1838, New Market had a paper; and in 1832, 
Jonesboro issued a Whig paper, called The Wasliington Republican and 
Farmers'' Jow?'waZ, edited by Judgjp Emerson, of the supreme court, and The 
Sentinel by Dr. Thomas Anderson, author of a medical work on diseases 
peculiar to East Tennessee. W. G. Brownlow edited his well known 
Wliig at that time in Jonesboro, and between the two papers a political 
and personal feud raged with unabated fury for a long period. 

Chattanooga, then known as Boss's Landing, had a paper called Tlie 
Hamilton Gazette as early as 1838, The name was changed afterward 
to The Chattanooga Gazette. This paper passed through some vicissitudes 
until 1864, when it became a daily issue. Elizabetliton Republican and 
Manufacturers'' Advocate was the first paper published in Elizabethton. 
This was succeeded by Brownlow'' s Tennessee Whig, begun at this place 
in 1839. Tlie Whig was bold, intense, incisive, and continued one year, 
when it was removed to Jonesboro, and subsequently to Knoxville. In 
i849 Brownlow'' s Knoxville Wliig sent out its first issue and continued 
until suspended October 16, 1861, and revived Nevember 11, 1863. In 



632 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

1869 Brownlow dissolved connection witli this paper and resumed editor- 
ship) in 1875, at which time the paper bore the new name of Daily Chron- 
icle and Weeklij Whig and CJironicle. The motto of the Whig, "Cry 
aloud and spare not," gave full insight into the spirit of the paper. The 
Whig bore, at one time, the title Independent Journal, and Brownlow'' s 
Knoxville Whig and Rebel Ventilator. No paper ever had a wider circu- 
lation. It is said to have had a circulation of 10,000 in 1855. The Knox- 
ville Chronicle was established in 1870, by Mr. William Rule, the pres- 
ent able editor of Tiie Journal. Cleveland, Maryville, Madison ville,, 
Kingston and Jasper had weekly papers from an early date. Besides, 
these there were two literary journals published in the University of 
Tennessee, and a temperance organ existed for a short while in 1851, in 
Knoxville, published by Mr. Joe Lewis and J. A. Rayl. 

Two papers deserve mention — Tlie Railroad Advocate oi Rogers viUe, 
in 1831, devoted to collecting all available information about the re- 
sources of this favored region, so as to arouse the people to the need of 
an outlet for the immense agricultural and mineral wealth of the State. 
Since then the riches have been developed beyond all expectation. The 
other was a veritable abolition paper, called The Genius of Universal 
Emancipation. This was published at Greeneville in 1821 by Benjamin 
Lundy, a native of New Jersey, of Quaker parentage, and showed that at 
the South existed the spark of what afterward proved to be one of the 
fiercest fires of fanaticism that ever swept over a nation. The paper 
advocated emancipation, and proposed several curious plans for effecting 
the liberation of slaves. A few religious papers finish the list of papers 
in East Tennessee. 

Journalism began in Nashville in 1797, when a paper was published 
called The Tennessee Gazette and Mero District Advertiser, by a Ken- 
tucky printer named Henkle. In a year this paper was sold and the 
name changed to Tlie Clarion. An issue of the date of 1801 is preserved 
by the State Historical Society. Its ragged condition shows its age. 
" It is a folio sheet, with pages 10x11 inches, and four columns to the 
page, printed in pica type." The Clarion was enlarged under the name 
of Clarion and Tennessee Gazette, and other changes of heading until 
December, 1821, when it resumed the name of The Clarion. " The 
price of subscription varied from $2 to $3 in advance, or $3 to $1, paya- 
able after six months." In 1821 The Clarion was discontinued, and its 
owners, Abram P. Maury and Carey A. Harris, brought out Tlie NasJi- 
ville Republican. Bradford, the long-time printer of The Clarion, issued 
from that office, in 1808, Bradford's Tennessee Almanac. The Impar- 
tial Revieiv and Cumberland Repository appeared in the latter part of 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. G33 

1805. A number is in preservation bearing date February 1, 1806, in 
which is announced the death of Charles Dickenson, who fell in a duel 
fought with Gen. Jackson. The Museum, begun by Mr. G. Bradford, 
was a literary monthly, published in 1809, and existed for six months. 
It contained much valuable political and historical information, and was 
circulated at the low price of $2 per year. 

Eev. David Lowry published the first Cumberland Presbyterian organ 
in the United States. It bore the name of The Religious and Liierarij 
Intelligencer. It was a weekly brought out in 1830 and existed nearly 
two years. Following this was The Nashville Herald, in 1831, owned by 
Mr. W. Tannehill. This paper was of brief continuance. Next came a 
weekly literary paper in 1833 of quarto form, named The Kaleidoscope. 
Its tone was lofty and its influence elevating, but unfortunately its dura- 
tion was short. The Commercial Transcript, a small commercial sheet, 
came out in 1835 ; and after two years it became The Banner and Whig. 
An "Association of Gentlemen " published in the years 1835-36 a 
Presbyterian paper named The American Presbyterian, which was not 
sustained. The Cumberland Magazine, a quarterly, was edited by the 
Rev. James Smith. This man was a Scotch Presbyterian, and wrote a 
history in defense of that church; a very able work. The Revivalist, a 
weekly, began in 1837, and changed to The Cumberland Presbyterian, 
but only a few numbers were issued. Tennessee Baptist of the First 
Baptist Church in Nashville, a monthly, existed from 1835 to 1837, when 
it changed owners and became a semi-monthly. The Old Baptist Ban- 
ner, 1838, was pul^lished by the Rev. Washington Lowe. It was a 
monthly paper. Tlie Christian Review, a monthly magazine, was the 
Campbellite organ, published between the years 1844:-46, In 1840 
The Tennessee State Agriculturist began and continued to 1846. A 
valuable law journal, called The Southwestern Law Journcd and Reporter, 
was published in 1844 and edited by William Cameron and John T. S. 
Fall. E. Z. C. Judson and A. H. Kidd edited, in 1844, Tlie SoutJiwest- 
ern LUerary Journcd and Monthly Review. The Baptist, second paper 
of that name, a weekly, was published by C. K. Winston, J. H. Shep- 
herd and J. H. Marshall January, L844-47. The Daily Ortliopolitan 
was edited by Mr. Wilkins Tannehill. This was a daily which began in 
1845 and continued one year. The Christian Record, under the dominion 
of the Presbyterian Synod, began in 1846 and continued under changes 
until 1850, when it was removed to Kentucky. 

A monthly, called The Ncduralist, was issued in 1846 for one year, 
and was devoted to education and literature. TJie Quarterly Review of 
the Methodist Episcopcd Church South began in 1846, in Louisville, 



634 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Ky. In 1851 it was removed to Ricliinond, Va., and to Nashville in 
1858. Dr. T. O. Summers was the able editor of this periodical. The 
Tennessee Farmer and HorUcuUiwisi, a monthly, was edited by Charles 
Foster, in 1846. A temperance paper, The Tennessee Organ, was estab- 
lished in 1847, by Eev. John P. Campbell. After passing through sev- 
eral hands it was disposed of to Dr. R. Thompson, and Gen. William G. 
Brien, an eloquent speaker and scholar of much ability, who conducted 
it until it was discontinued in 1854. The Southern Ladies'' Companiony 
a Methodist monthly, was successfully managed, and had a large circula- 
tion. It was edited by Mr. Henkle and Dr. J. B. McFerrin. The Ten- 
nessee Baptist, edited by Rev. Dr. Howell, and The Portfolio, a Free- 
mason monthly, edited by Mr. W. Tannehill in 1847, were ably conducted. 
The Christian Magazine, edited in 1848 by Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson and 
J. K. Howard, and TJie Western Boatman, by Anson Nelson, Tlie Even- 
ing Reporter in 1849-50, and TJie Nashville Times in 1849, were other 
publications of that period. Tlie Naturalist, Tlie Southern Agricultur- 
ist, TJie Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery and TJie SoutJiwest- 
ern MontJily, went through brief life in Nashville in 1849-52. TJie 
Ladies' Pearl, a monthly, was edited between 1852-56 by Rev. W. S. Lang- 
don and J. C. Pro vine, and afterward by Mrs. Langdon. TJie NasJiville 
Evening News existed in 1851-53. TJie SoutJiern Medical Journal of 
Medical and PJiysical Sciences, a bi-monthly was published 1853-57. 
TJie Banner of Peace, a Cumberland Presbyterian paper, continued from 
1840 to the recent war. TJie Parlor Visitor, in 1854, a Baptist organ, 
edited by Dr. W. P. Jones; TJie Gospel Advocate, a weekly in the same 
year, edited by Elder Tolbert Fanning and Prof. William Lipscomb, 
and TJie SoutJiern Baptist Review in 1855, were well conducted papers. 
TJie Home Circle, Rev. L. D. Houston, editor, and TJie Sunday-School 
Visitor, with Dr. T. O. Summers, editor, were other religious issues of 
1855. Two agricultural papers, TJie Farmer'' s Banner and Tpe Agri- 
culturist and Commercicd Jourucd appeared in 1855 and lasted a short 
time. The Fountain was a sprightly temperance paper in 1855, and TJie 
Tennessee Farmer and MecJianic lasted about one year. 

TJie NasJiville Daily News began in 1857, and discontinued in 1860. 
TJie Baptist Family Visitor, and Harper''s TJieatrical Bulletin issued a 
few numbers in 1857. TJie Legislative Union and American was said to 
be an important State organ between 1857 and 1859. TJie Daily CJiris- 
tian Advoccde, a Methodist paper, and TJie CJiristian Unionist, another 
religious paper, existed a short while. Other papers, many of them re- 
ligious, were The Southern Magazine of Temperance, Young''s Spirit of 
tJie SoutJi and Central American, The Nashville MoniJily Record of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 635 

Medical and Physical Sciences, Southern Homestead, whose literary de- 
partment was edited by Mrs. L. Virginia French, and The Baptist Stand- 
ard came out between 1858 and 1860. The Temperance Monthly, edited 
by Mrs. Emelie C. S. Chilton, a poet of high order, and The Daily Even- 
ing Bulletin were papers of 1859. The Opposition was a campaign 
paper in the struggle for governor between Col. John Netherland and 
Gov. Isham G. Harris. The National PatJifmder was edited by T. F. 
Hughes, Esq., in 1860. TJie Nashville Cliristian Advocate began in 
1831. It was edited successively by many prominent divines. The 
Louisville (Ky. ) Christian Advoccde was merged in this paper in 1851. 
In 1858 Rev. Dr. McFerrin, who had been editor, resigned, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. H. N. McTyeire. Dr. McFerrin was appointed agent of 
the Methodist Episcopal Publishing House at that time. TJie Nashville 
True Whig began in 1845, and was succeeded in 1856 by TJie Nashville 
Pcdriot. 

The Nashville Gazette, the second paper of that name, was published 
in 1819 by Mr. George "Wilson, the same who had conducted Wilson'' s 
Knoxville Gazette in 1801. Tlie Nasliville Whig, established by Moses 
and Joseph Norvell, began in 1812 and continued to 1816. Tlie Nash- 
ville Banner, a weekly, existed between 1822 and 1826. It was then 
united with TJie WJiig, under the name of NasJiville Banner and WJiig, a. 
semi-weekly. It was not until 1831 that Nasliville had a daily paper. 
This was TJie National Banner cmd NasJiville Advertiser. This contin- 
ued until 1831, when it was found that daily papers did not pay in Nash- 
ville, and it became a tri-weekly. TJie NasJiville Bepid)lican grew out 
of the materials of the old Clarion and Tennessee Gazette in 1824. 
After some changes it became a daily issue in 1837. 

TJie Repuhlican Banner was begun in 1837, enlarged in 1839, and in 
1842 Gen. F. K. ZoUicoffer, who had learned the printer's trade in Mr. 
F. S. Heiskell's office at Knoxville, assumed the editorship. Gen. Zolli- 
cofPer earned a reputation as an able political writer, and kept up TJie 
Banner to the highest standard of newspaper excellence. TJie Banner 
had many editors who were men of distinguished merit and position. 
TJie NasJiville Gazette, third paper of that name, was in existence from 
1844 to 1862. About this time TJie Repuhlican Banner was established, 
and continued to 1853, Avhen it was united with Tlie American under the 
title of NasJiville Union and American. In 1848 was established TJie 
Daily Centre-State American and NasJiville WeeJdy American. The 
NasJiville Union and American began in 1853, and grew out of the con- 
solidation of TJie Union and TJie American. TJie Union had been ed- 
ited by Col. J. G. Harris, who was an editorial pupil of George D. Pren- 



636 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

tice. Col. Harris had earned distinction as a political writer, and was an 
adherent of Gen. Andrew Jackson. Mr. John Miller McKee was com- 
mercial and city editor of The Union and American in 1858, and in 1860 
Mr. John C. Burch became associate editor. Mr. Leon Trousdale was 
also one of the editors of this paper. The Nashville Union and American 
was suspended on the evacuation of Nashville by the Confederates in 
1862. 

Nashville, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, was considered the pub- 
lishing center of the South, having more periodicals than any other city 
of her size. She had no less than nineteen journals and nine large pub- 
lishing houses. At the fall of Fort Donelson, in 1862, the general 
panic induced every man to seek his own safety. Printing offices were 
abandoned by members of the press, their public position rendering 
them peculiarly obnoxious to the enemy. Many printers were without 
employment, and in the absence of better occupation engaged in what 
proved a lucrative business, that of selling newspapers. There were 
several war publications. The first made its appearance in February, 
1862, under the name of Tlie Nashville Times. This suspended after 
the issue ^of the thirteenth number. Six numbers of the Evening Bulle- 
tin followed. The Nashville Daily Union began in 1862 and had a 
short existence. Other papers were The Nashville Dispatch, April, 
1862. The Constitution, with George Baber as editor, appeared in July, 
1862, and The Nashville Daily Press began in May, 1863. It con- 
tinued, with frequent change of editors, to May, 1865, when it was united 
with the Times and Union. Mr. S. C Mercer edited in 1864 The Nash- 
ville Times and True Union. It was afterward merged with the Press, 
and bore the title of Nashville Daily Press and Times. A paper named 
TJic Nashville Daily Journal existed for a short time in 1863. Mr. L. 
C. Houk was editor. 

After the war the publication of Tlic Union and American, as a daily, 
tri-weekly and weekly, continued to the latter part of 1866, when it be- 
came, by consolidation with The Dispatch, Tlie Union and Dispatch. In 
1868 the paper was combined with The Daily Gazette, and resumed the 
name of Union and American. In 1875 The Union and American was 
consolidated with The Repid)lican Banner, and became The American, a 
daily, semi-weekly and weekly issue. Tlie Tennessee Staats-Zeitung 
is a German paper, and is said to be the only daily pajDer of that kind 
outside of New Orleans. Mr. John Euhm edited the paper in 1866, 
when it was first issued. He has since become a prominent lawyer in 
Nashville. The Methodist Episcopal Publishing House has quite a 
number of journalistic publications, and does a large book business. 




Ff!OM PHOTO BY THUSS, KOllUIN ! GlfRS.MSHVlUt 



Andrew Johnson 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 637 

The colored people of Nashville are represented by some creditable news- 
papers, showing much enlightenment and progress on their part. Be- 
sides journalistic and periodical influence, Nashville is prominent for 
almanacs. This useful form of literature was beofun in 1807, when 
BradforcVs Tennessee Almanac appeared. Tlie Cumberland Almanac 
for 1827 followed, and has had a regular publication since. 

The first published Memphis paper was The Memphis Advocate and 
Western District Intelligencer^ the first issue appearing January 18, 
1827. It was a weekly publication by Parron & Phoebus. The Times 
was established soon after, and later the two were consolidated and en- 
titled Tlie Times and Advocate. P. G, Gaines and Mr. Murray found- 
ed The Memphis Gazette in 1831, and it continued until 1837 or 1838. F. 
S. Lathan, publisher of The Randolph Recorder, established in 1836 a 
weekly paper known as The Memphis Enqiiirer, with Mr. J. H. McMahon, 
editor. The paper continued with many changes of owners and editors 
until 1850, when it united with The Eagle, and was published as The Eagle 
and Enquirer for ten years. The Eagle was established by T. S. La- 
tham in January, 1842. Dr. Solon Borland began the publication of Tlie 
Western World and Mempliis Banner of the Constitution, a weekly, in 
1839. The first number of Tlie Memphis Appeal, edited by Henry Van 
Pelt, appeared April 21, 1841. It has changed proprietors several times 
since his death, and is still published as a daily and weekly. Memphis 
3fo7iitor, which was founded by John C. Morrill in 1846, was merged 
into The Appeal soon after. Several other newspapers of a transitory na- 
ture were in existence between 1846 and 1860. Among these were The 
Whig Commercial and Evening Herald. The Memphis Bulletin, estab- 
lished in 1855, was published until 1867, when it was merged into The Av- 
alanche. The latter was founded by M. C. Gallaway in 1858, and with the 
exception of three years during the war, has since been published both 
as a daily and as a weekly. There were several papers published in the 
war, among which were The Public Ledger, Argus and Commercial. The 
last two were united in 1866 or 1867. In addition to newspapers a num- 
ber of periodicals have been published. The following is a list of the 
publications in 1884: Dailies — Appeal, Avalanche, Public Ledger and 
Scimeter. Each also publishes weekly editions. "Weeklies and monthlies — 
Living Way, MississiiDpi Valley Medical Monthly, Revieiv, Southern 
Post Journal (German), Tennessee Baptist and Watchman, a colored 
Baptist paper. 



40 



638 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 



CHAPTEK XVIII. 

Religious History— The Relation Between Religion and the Constitution: 
AND THE Laws— The Gradual Development of Ecclesiastical Tolera- 
tion — The Separation of Church and State — The Earliest Ministra- 
tions IN Tennessee — -The Methods of the Circuit Riders, and the 
Phenomenal Results— An Analysis of the Causes of the "Jerks" and the 
"Power"— A Summary of the Creeds of the Principal Sectarian Organ- 
izations—An Account of the Origin, Growth and Success of the Vari- 
ous Churches— Famous Revivals and Illustrative Anecdotes— The 
Importance of the Establishjient of Camp Meetings— The Controver- 
sies OF THE Churches upon the Question of Slavery — The Interest 
Taken in Sunday-school Work— The Religious Status of the Colored 
Race — Buildings, Finances, Publications, Conventions, etc. 

THE progress a people has made, so far as intelligence and tolerance 
of opinion are concerned, is with tolerable accuracy ascertainable 
by a careful study of their constitution and laws. When the people of 
a State adopt an original or an amended constitution, that constitution 
may be taken as an expression of their sentiments, opinions or convic- 
tions as to what is essential to the welfare of the community. The same 
remark is applicable to the laws passed by that body endowed with the 
power of enactment. It is true that a constitution may be adopted by a 
mere majority of the voters; the minority may be more or less earnestly 
opposed to it; the minority may be in fact more intelligent than the ma- 
jority, may gradually come to be the majority and may then amend the 
constitution under which they have lived in such manner that it shall con- 
form to their sentiments, opinions and convictions. This new constitu- 
tion in the particulars in which it has been amended indicates the change 
in the opinions of the people ; it may be progression, it may be retrogres- 
sion, but the old and amended constitutions when compared serve to mark 
the degrees on the scale of progress. Individuals may be, and sometimes 
are, centuries in advance of their contemporaries. Lord Bacon who died 
in 1626, said: "Divisions in religion are less dangerous than violent 
measures of prevention. The wound is not dangerous unless poisoned 
with remedies. Inquiry is not to be feared. Controversy is the wind 
by which the truth is winnowed." 

Where the mind is free religion never has dangerous enemies. 
Atheism is the mistake of the metaphysician, not of human nature. In- 
fidelity gains the victory when it wrestles with hypocrisy or superstition, 
not when its antagonist is reason. When an eclesiastical establishment 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 639 

requires universal conformity some consciences must necessarily be 
wronged ^nd oppressed. In such cases, if the wrong be successful, the 
servitude is followed by consequences analogous to those which ensue on 
the civil enslavemeiit of the people. The mind is burdened by a sense 
of injury ; the judgment is confused, and in its zeal to throw of an intol- 
lerable tyranny, passion attempts to sweep away every form of religion. 
Bigotry commits the correlative error when it attempts to control opion- 
ion by positive statutes; to substitute the terrors of law for convincing 
argument. It is a gigantic crime from the commission of which in the 
past the world is still suffering, to enslave the human mind under the 
earnest desire or under the specious pretext of protecting religion. Re- 
ligion of itself, pure and undefiled, never had an enemy. It has enemies 
only when coupled with bigotry, superstition and intolerance, and then 
only because it is so enveloped in these as to be indistinguishable from 
them. While their power and their tryanny have for centuries been em- 
ployed to strengthen and defend religion, they have ever been, and are 
to-day, though in a far less degree than formerly, the worst enemy that 
religion has. The history of the world conclusively proves that positive 
enactments against irreligion, or prohibiting the denial of the truths of 
religion as they are conceived to be, provoke and cause the very evil 
they were designed to prevent. For to deny the truths of the proposi- 
tions or dogmas of any form of religion is a right inherent in every man, 
for the exercise of which he is responsible to none but to himself and his 
Creator. Besides there are always those who have a desire for martyr- 
dom, being unable in any other way to achieve distinction, and because 
to be a martyr evinces courage and excites sympathy, and there are 
always more people capable of extending sympathy to the persecuted and 
oppressed than there are of those capable of rendering an accurate judg- 
ment upon the question for which the martyr chooses to be impaled. 

While such principles as these seem now to be generally admitted, 
yet at the time of the formation of the constitutions of most of the origi- 
nal thirteen States, the most intelligent of the people, law-makers, min- 
isters and others, notwithstanding the fact that the Pilgrims abandoned 
England and sought the unknown and inhospitable shores of America 
for the sole purpose of finding an asylum in which they could themselves 
exercise and enjoy the sweets of religious freedom, and notwithstanding 
the fact that the Catholic colony of Maryland under Lord Baltimore, had 
found it expedient to extend to Protestants the religious liberty which 
they claimed for themselves, entertained and succeeded in having en- 
grafted into most of those constitutions provisions embodying and enforc- 
ing sentiments similar to those expressed by the rugged and uncom- 



640 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

promising Dudley, who was uot softened even by old age, and many 
others of the leading religious thinkers of colonial times. Said Dudley: 
"God forbid our love of truth should thus grow cold — that we should tol- 
erate error. I die no libertine." 

"Let men of God, ia courts and churches watch, 
All such as toleration hatch, 
Lest that ill egg bring forth a cockatrice, 
To poison all with heresy and vice; 
If men be left and otherwise combine. 
My epitaph's "I died no libertine." 

Cotton affirmed that it is "better to tolerate hypocrites and tares, than 
thorns and briers;" thus recognizing the great principle that hypocrisy 
is one of the grave evils of intolerance. Ward's opinion was that "poly- 
piety is the greatest impiety in the world. To say that man ought to 
have liberty of conscience is impious ignorance." Norton said: "Relig- 
ion admits of no eccentric motions." 

In consonance with these sentiments and the spirit which they indi- 
cate, Massachusetts adopted a constitution under which a particular form 
of worship was made a part of the civil establishment, and irreligion was 
punished as a civil offense. Treason against the civil government was 
treason against Christ, and reciprocally blasphemy was the highest 
offense in the catalogue of crimes. To deny that any book of the Old or 
New Testament was the infallible word of God was punishable by fine or 
by whipping, and in case of obstinacy by exile or by death. Absence 
from the "ministry of the Word" was punished by a fine. "The State 
was the model of Christ's kingdom on earth." Gradually the sjDirit of 
the established religion smothered nearly every form of independence 
and liberty. The creation of a national, uncompromising church led the 
Congregationalists of Massachusetts to the indulgence of passions which, 
exercised upon them by their English persecutors, had driven them 
across the sea, and thus was the Archbishop of Canterbury justified by 
the men he had wronged. Massachusetts, after a vain attempt to silence 
the Quakers, made a vain attempt to banish them. She was as strongly 
set against what appeared to her as ruinous heresy as a healthy city is 
against the plague. The second general court of Massachusetts, which 
met May 18, 1631, is chiefly remarkable for the adoption of the theo- 
cratic basis on which for fifty years the government of the State con- 
tinued to rest. No man was thereafter recognized as a citizen and a 
voter who was not a member of some one of the colonial churches, and 
in order to obtain admission to one of them it wa*s necessary to make an 
orthodox confession of faith, live conformably to Puritan decorum, and 
add to this a satisfactory religious experience, of which the substantial 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 641 

part was au internal assurance o£ a change of heart and a lively sense of 
justification as one of God's elect* In 1(349 it was deemed necessary to 
support the fundamental doctrines of the theocracy by civil penalties. 
"Albeit faith is not wrought by the sword, but by the Word, nevertheless 
seeing that blasphemy of the true God can not be excused by any ignor- 
ance or infirmity of human nature, no person in this jurisdiction, whether 
Christian or pagan, shall wittingly or willingly presume to blaspheme 
His holy name, either by willfully and obstinately denying the true God, 
or His creation and government of the world, or shall curse God, or re- 
proach the holy religion of God, as if it were but an ingenious device to 
keep ignorant men in awe, nor shall utter any other eminent kind of 
blasphemy of like nature or degree under penalty of death." 

Such was the nature of the relation in Massachusetts between Oh arch 
and State. Every person was taxed for the support of the church in the 
same manner as he was to support the government, but was permitted to 
say to which individual church his money should be paid. And such 
laws disgraced the pages of the statutes of that State to a later date than 
were those of any other State similarly disfigured. On April 1, 1834, 
a bill was enacted into a law containing the following provisions: 

No person shall hereafter become or be made a member of any parish or religious 
society so as to be liable to be taxed therein for the support of public worship, or for other 
parish charges without his express consent for that purpose first had and obtained. 

No citizen shall be assessed or liable to pay any tax for the support of public worship 
or parish charges to any parish or religious society whatever other than that of which he 
is a member. 

In 1649 sixteen acts were forwarded to Maryland to which the gov- 
ernor was to obtain the assent of the Assembly. One of these was en- 
titled "An Act of Toleration." The first four sections of this celebrated 
act comprised but little of the tolerant spirit, as may be seen by a peru- 
sal of their provisions: "All who shall blaspheme God, that is, curse 
Him, or who shall deny our Saviour Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, 
or shall deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, or the 
Godhead of any of the said three persons of the Trinity, or the unity of 
the Godhead, or shall use or utter any reproachful speeches against the 
Holy Trinity, shall suffer death with forfeiture of lands and goods." 
Strange as it may seem, this death penalty for this offense darkened the 
statutes of Maryland for 200 years. No one was permitted under the 
law to utter any reproachful words or speeches concerning the Virgin 
Mary or the holy apostles or evangelists without suffering the penalty of 
a fine, and banishment for the third offense. No one was permitted to 
reproachfully call any one "heretic, schismatic, idolator, Puritan, Pres- 

*Hildreth. 



642 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

byterian," etc, without being compelled to submit to suitable punish- 
ment. "Liberty of conscience" was, however, provided for in the follow- 
ing words: "That the enforcing the conscience in matters of religion 
hath frequently fallen out to be of dangerous consequences in those 
commonwealths where it hath been practiced, and therefore for the more 
quiet and peaceful government of the province, and the better to preserve 
mutual love and unity, no person professing the religion of Jesus Christ 
shall be molested or discountenanced on account of his relisfion, nor in- 
terrupted in the free exercise thereof.'" It is clear, however, from a study of 
the history of the colony of Maryland that whatever liberty of conscience 
was here provided for to those who "believed the religion of Jesus 
Christ" was adopted for the sake of policy, for the reason that an exclus- 
ively E/oman Catholic colony would not have been for a moment tolerated 
by the mother country, then under the domination of the Church of Eng- 
land. 

The same idea is embodied in the Declaration of Rights prefixed to 
the constitution of 177(3 in the following language: "All persons pro- 
fessing the Christian religion, are equally entitled to protection in their 
religious liberty," and while this declaration expressed the opinion that 
" no person ought to be compelled to frequent or maintain or contribute, 
"unless on contract to maintain any particular place of worship, or partic- 
ular ministry, yet," it said, " the Legislature may in their discretion lay 
a general and equal tax for the support of the Christian religion." Later 
this was all changed and liberty of conscience granted in the follow- 
ing words: " That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such 
manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally en- 
titled to protection in their religious liberty." 

Chapter III of the laws of Virginia passed in 1661, provided that 
" no minister be admitted to officiate in this country but such as shall 
produce to the Governour a testimonial, that he hath received his ordi- 
nation from some bishop in England, and shall then subscribe to be 
conformable to the orders and constitutions of the Church of Eng- 
land," etc. Chapter V provided that the liturgy of the Churoh of 
England should be read every Sunday, and no minister nor reader 
was permitted to teach any other catechism that that by the canons 
appointed and inserted in the book of common prayer, that no min- 
ister should expound any other than that, to the end " that our fun- 
damentals at least be well laid," and that no reader upon presumption 
of his own abilities should attempt to expound that or any other cate- 
chism or the Scriptures. Chapter YI, of the laws of 1705, provided for 
the punishment of "atheism, deism or infidelity" as follows: "If any 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 643 

person or persons brought up in the Christian religion shall by writing, 
j^rinting, teaching or advisedly speaking, deny the being of a God, or 
the Holy Trinity, or shall deny the Christian religion to be true, or the 
Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be of divine author- 
ity, and shall be thereof legally convicted upon indictment or information 
in a general court of this, Her Majesty's colony and dominion, such per- 
son or persons for this offense shall be incapable or disabled in law to 
all intents and' purposes whatever to hold and enjoy any office or employ- 
ment, ecclesiastical, civil or military, or any part of them or any profit or 
advantage to them appertaining or any of them." For the second of- 
fense " he, she or they shall from thenceforth be disabled to sue, prose- 
cute, plead or use any action or information in any court of law or equity, 
or to be guardian to any child, or to be executor or administrator of any 
person, or capable of any deed or gift or legacy, or to bear any office, 
civil or military, within this. Her Majesty's colony or dominion, and shall 
also suffer from the time of such conviction three years' imprisonment 
without bail or mainprise." 

A remarkable change in the attitude of Christianity toward infidelity 
occurred between this time and the adoption of the constitution of 1776. 
Section 16 of the Bill of Rights prefixed to this constitution reads as 
follows: " That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and 
the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and convic- 
tion, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are entitled to the 
free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that 
it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and 
charity toward each other." This section has been incorporated into all 
the succeeding constitutions of Virginia, and still remains the embodi- 
ment of the sentiment of the people of that State as to religious tolera- 
tion. 

The celebrated "fundamental constitutions of Carolina," drawn up 
by John Locke, author of the " Essay on the Human Understanding," 
provides in Article XCV that " No man shall be permitted to be a free- 
man of Carolina, or to have any estate or habitation within it, that doth 
not acknowledge a God, and that God is publicly and solemnly to be wor- 
shiped." But when the constitution of North Carolina came to be 
adopted the sentiment of the people with reference to religious liberty 
found expression in the following language: " That all men have a natu- 
ral and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dic- 
tates of their own consciences." But " That no person who shall deny 
the being of God, or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the Divine 
authority either of the Old or New Testaments, or who shall hold relig- 



644 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall 
be capable of holding any office or place of trust or profit in the civil 
department of this State." 

By a careful comparison of these various excerpia from the colonial 
and State constitutions and laws, the general reader will have but little 
difficulty in forming a tolerably correct conception of the progress made 
in public opinion as to the proper attitude to be assumed toward religion 
by the State, during the century or two previous to the adoption of the 
first constitution of Tennessee. Neither will he be less gratified than 
surprised to find that very little of the spirit of intolerance can be found 
crystalized into the provisions of that venerable instrument. And his 
impartial judgment may be unable to conclude that it would have been 
better for the interests of the State if what little of intolerance that is 
included had been omitted. With reference to the religious liberty of 
the individual. Section 3 of the Declaration of Rights is sufficiently ex- 
plicit: "All men have a natural and indefeasable right to worship 
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that 
no man can of right be made to attend, erect or support any place of 
worship, or to maintain any minister against his consent ; that no human 
authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights 
of conscience, and that no preference shall ever be given by law to any 
religious establishment or mode of worship." This provision, as well as 
those relating to religious tests to office-holders, is in all the constitu- 
tions that have been adopted in Tennessee, in 1796, 1834 and in 1870, 
and stands as an admirable safeguard to the most cherished, if not the 
most valuable, of all kinds of freedom. 

The little intolerance that the constitution contains applies only to 
office-holders, and is in the following words in the Declaration of Rights : 
" Section 4. That no religious test shall ever be required as a qualifica- 
tion to any office or public trust under this State;" and is as follows in 
the constitution: "Article IX, Section 2, No person who denies the be- 
ing of a God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold 
any office in the civil department of this State." The hypercritic might 
discover a slight contradiction in these two provisions, but perhaps the 
most able political philosopher would fail should he attempt to prove that 
evil has resulted to the body politic from its existence in the fundamen- 
tal law of the State. 

The special laws of North Carolina that were in operation in this 
Territory previous to the operation of the State constitution were simply 
those which granted some special privilege to certain sects afflicted with 
conscientious scruples regarding the taking of an oath, as the United 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 645- 

Brethren, Mennonites, Quakers, Dunkers, etc. In 1784 the Legislature 
of North Carolina passed an act by which the Quakers were permitted 
to " solemnly declare or affirm," instead of "to swear," and the same act 
provided that " it shall be lawful for the people called Quakers to wear 
their hats as well within the several courts of judicature in this State as 
elsewhere, unless otherwise ordered by the court." Thus it will be seen 
that under the constitution and laws in operation both before and after 
the adoption of the constitution, all the various opinions concerning re- 
ligion, those unfavorable as well as favorable toward it were tolerated, 
and it will be seen also as this narrative proceeds that all kinds of opin- 
ions upon religious subjects not only were tolerated but found a home 
in this State, and still here abide. 

It is generally admitted, perhaps nowhere seriously denied, that war 
is among the greatest demoralizers of the world, and the early settle- 
ment of this State was so nearly contemporaneous with the war of the 
Eevolution, and war with various Indian tribes was so constantly present 
with the early settlers, that it is but reasonable to expect that an impar- 
tial inquiry into their condition must find that many of them were frequent- 
ly in anything but a religious state of mind, and even where they were thus 
disposed, religious instruction and worship were neglected from the neces- 
sity of the case, and even forms of religion imperfectly maintained. Vice 
and immorality have always followed in the wake of armies, as also, 
though to a less degree, in that of the excitement attendant upon political 
faction. But when the excitement of war subsides and that of politics 
is not intense, the superabundant energies of the people naturally turn 
to the excitement of religious discussion and debate. When the morals 
and the minds of a community are in this impressionable condition it 
may be truthfully said that the harvest is indeed ready for the sickle, 
but in this early time the reapers were few; and the field is equally in- 
viting to the circuit rider, missionary or preacher who labors for fame as 
to him who sincerely and earnestly labors for the salvation of souls. 
Happily, however, for the gratification of the lover of his State, the 
preachers of the latter class were far more numerous than those of the 
former in those early times. 

One of the first to arrive within the limits of the State was the Bev. 
Charles Cummings, a Presbyterian minister, who preached regularly to a 
congregation in the Holston Yalley not far from Abingdon, Va., as early 
as 1772. It was the custom of Mr. Cummings on Sunday morning to 
dress himself neatly, put on his shot pouch, shoulder his rifle, mount his 
horse and ride to church, where he would meet his congregation, each 
man with his rifle in his hand. Entering the church he would walk 



646 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

gravely through the crowd, ascend his pulpit, and after depositing his 
rifle in one corner of it, so as to be ready for any emergency, commence 
the solemn services of the day. Indians were not scarce in those days, 
and frontier congregations consisted of armed men surrounded by their 
families. Also in the eastern part of the State in 1779 a Baptist preacher 
named Tidence Lane organized a congregation, a house of worship was 
built on Buffalo Ridge, and the Bev. Samuel Doak was preaching about 
this time in Washington and Sullivan Counties. When the little army 
under Campbell, Shelby and Sevier, was preparing to march to King's 
Mountain, a solemn and appropriate prayer for Divine protection and 
guidance was offered up by a clergyman whose name does not seem to 
have been preserved. In 1783 the Bev. Jeremiah Lambert was appointed 
to the Holston Circuit, and at the end of his year reported seventy-six 
members. In 1784 Bev. Henry Willis succeeded Mr. Lambert, but, 
although his services were valuable he did not increase the membership. 
In 1785 he was elder in the district embracing Holston, while Bichard 
Swift and Michael Gilbert were on the circuit. The Presbyterians also 
made an early start in East Tennessee. Many of them were Scotch-Irish, 
and though doubtless of equal piety with the Methodist brethren, yet 
there was naturally an antagonism between the two sects on account of 
the incompatibility of the doctrines taught. In 1788, while tumult and 
discord were impending between North Carolina and the State of Frank- 
lin, the opportune arrival of the venerable Bishop Asbury, of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, a man of quiet dignity, unpretending simplicity 
and exemplary piety, served to calm and soothe the excited masses. 

A little before this visit of Bishop Asbury in East Tennessee, minis- 
ters began to arrive in what was then called Western Tennessee, now 
Middle Tennessee. In 1786 Bev. Benjamin Ogden was the first Method- 
ist Episcopal minister to arrive on the Cumberland. After laboring 
one year he reported sixty members, four of them colored persons. In 
1788 the Bevs. Mr. Combs and Barnabas McHenry, both faithful and la- 
borious men, came to the settlement. In 1789 the Bev. Francis Pay- 
thress was presiding elder, and Bevs. Thomas Williamson and Joshua 
Hartley had charge of the local societies. Besides these there were the 
Bevs. James Haw, Peter Mussie, Wilson Lee and O'Cull. In 1791 a. 
church was organized by Elias Fort and other pioneer Baptists, in the 
neighborhood of Port Boyal, known in history as the "Bed Biver Bap- 
tist Church." At first, for want of a "meeting-house," meetings were 
held alternately at the houses of different members ; but at length a rude 
meeting-house was erected on the left bank of Bed Biver, from which 
stream the church received its name. During the next three or four 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 647 

years there arrived in the Cumberland settlements the Revs. Stephen 
Brooks, Henry Burchett, Jacob Lurtin, Aquilla Suggs, John Ball, Will- 
iam Burke, Gwynn and Crane. These were all itinerant preachers, and all 
labored faithfully to warn the people to flee from the wrath to come. 
They were all Methodists, some of them coming before and some after 
the Baptists in Eobertson and Montgomery Counties. Samuel Mason 
and Samuel Hollis, the first local preachers that were brought up in this 
country, commenced preaching in 1789 or 1790. The Eev. Thomas B, 
Craighead, a Presbyterian divine, preached to a congregation at Spring 
Hill, about six miles east of Nashville, and the Eev. William McGee, 
another Presbyterian, preached at Shiloh, near Gallatin, in Sumner 
County. Between 1795 and 1800 the Methodist Episcopal Church was 
represented by Rev. John Page, Rev. Thomas Wilkinson, Rev. John Mc- 
Gee and Rev. John Cobler. Besides these there were the Revs. James 
McGready, Hodge and Rankin, of the Presbyterian Church, and the 
Revs. William McKendree, John Sail and Benjamin Larkin, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Barton W. Stone, a Presbyte- 
rian, and, like Rev. Mr. McGready, from Kentucky, was also, like him, 
quite conspicuous in the work of the great revival which commenced in 
Southern Kentucky and Noi'thern Tennessee, in 1799. Most of the 
preachers above mentioned Avere men of burning zeal and of a natural 
and boisterous eloquence; and hence to their sensitive and sympathetic, 
hearers their preaching was of a novel and attractive kind. Their fame 
extended to far distant neighborhoods, and drew together, whenever a 
meeting was announced, thousands of curious, interested and earnest 
listeners. In 1789 or 1790 the Methodists erected a stone meeting- 
house in Nashville, between the public square and the river. In 1796 
an act of Lesfislature authorized the town of Nashville to deed to five 
persons a lot of ground extending twenty feet in all directions from the 
building, except toward the river, in which direction it extended presum- 
ably to the river. In October, 1797, an act was passed establishing the 
"Stone Meeting-House," and reducing the size of the lot to fifteen feet, 
instead of twenty. 

It was not long after ministers began to preach in this western 
•country before discussions and controversies regarding Christian doc- 
trines began to claim a large share of their, and the people's attention. 
The Presbyterians and Baptists, in those days, were generally very rigid 
Calvinists, while the Methodists were mostly Arminians. Calvinism is 
succinctly as follows: It is based upon the idea that the will of God is 
supreme. The human race, corrupted radically in the fall of Adam, has 
upon it the guilt and impotence of original sin; its redemption can only 



648 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

be achieved through an incarnation and propitiation; of this redemption 
only electing grace can make the soul a participant, and the grace once 
given is never lost; this election can only come from God, and it only 
includes a part of the race, the rest being left to perdition; election and 
j)erditiou are both predestinate in the Divine plan; that j^lan is a decree 
eternal and unchangeable ; justification is by faith alone, and faith is the 
gift of God. 

Arminianism may be briefly set forth as follows: 1. God, by an 
eternal and immutable decree, before the foundation of the world, de- 
termined to save in Christ, through Christ and for Christ, those who 
should believe in Christ. 2. Christ died for all, but no one will enjoy 
remission of sin except the believer. 3. Man must be born again and 
renewed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. 4. God's grace is the beginning, 
increase and perfection of everything good. 5. Man may fall from 
grace. (?) 

For several years previous to the ushering in of the present century, 
these irreconcilable opinions — ^which after all in both systems are only 
opinions — clashed upon and with each other. Issues were joined ; animated 
debates and acrimonious controversies were frequent, upon doctrinal 
points, none of which were or are demonstrably true. For this reason the 
animation manifested in the discussions, the earnestness in the appeals, 
often from the same platform or pulpit, to the unbeliever to accept the 
truth, by preachers who contradicted each other as to what was the truth, 
and the fact that acrimony was so often present in the controversy, all 
tended to prove that demonstration was not attainable ; for where the truth 
of a proposition in philosophy, ethics, political economy or theology, no 
less than in physics and mathematics, is demonstrable, even though it be 
only to the most enlightened reason, controversy with reference thereto 
must necessarily cease ere long, and the bitterness with the controversy. 

But there is another way of eliminating bitterness from controversy 
besides that of arriving at a demonstration, and that is to eliminate the 
controversy. This Avas practically exemplified in the great revival, 
which took place in the opening years of the nineteenth century, the cause, 
phenomena and results of which it is now the purpose of this sketch to 
trace. This great revival was of itself a wonderful phenomenon, worthy 
the most careful study of the religious philosopher. It was the natural 
result of a reaction from a very low ebb of religion and morality, the 
lowest ebb they have reached in this country. The war of the Revolu- 
tion left the nation impoverished and prostrate. The influence of the 
French Revolution and of French infidelity were powerfully felt even 
among the more intelligent portions of the American people. But the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 649 

masses soon awakened to a sense of their condition, and flocked in great 
numbers to hear the gospel preached by such earnest, powerful and el- 
oquent men as have been named above. No building then erected could 
accommodate the crowds that concentrated from all parts of the adjacent 
country, to distances of from ten to twenty, thirty and even fifty miles, 
hence the camp-meeting became a necessity of the times. 

In 1799 a sacramental meeting was held in the old Red River Bap- 
tist Church, near Port Royal, which, considering the sparsely settled con- 
dition of the country, was quite largely attended. Elders McGready, 
Hodge and Rankin, of the Presbyterian Church, and Elder John McGee, 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church were present. After a remarkably 
powerful address by Elder Hodge, concerning the effect of which upon 
the congregation writers differ — some saying that the members of the 
congregation remained through its delivery silent and quiet; others, that 
their emotions were uncontrollable and that they gave vent to them in 
loud cries — Elder McGee arose, expressed his conviction that a greater 
than he was preaching, exhorted the people to let the Lord God Omnip- 
otent reign in their hearts, and broke into the following song: 
"Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, 
With all thy quickening powers, 
Kindle a flame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours." 

Having sang thus far two aged ladies, Mrs. Pacely and Mrs. Clark, 
commenced tremendously vociferating sentiments of praise and thanks- 
giving to the Most High for His grace in providing redemption for a fal- 
len world. For some time the preacher attempted to continue his sing- 
ing but the venerable ladies vociferated louder than before; others of the 
congregation united their voices with theirs in praise ; the minister de- 
scending from the pulpit passed along the aisles vehemently shouting 
and exhorting; the clamor and confusion increased tenfold; screams for 
mercy were mingled with shouts of joy ; a universal and powerful agita- 
tion pervaded the multitude ; suddenly individuals began to fall pros- 
trate to the floor as if dead, where they lay for some time unconscious and 
unable to rise. The Presbyterian elders were so surprised and even 
astonished at this confusion in the house of the Lord that they made 
their way outside and quietly queried among themselves "what is to be 
done ?" Elder Hodge concluded that nothing could be done. If it were 
the work of Satan it could not last; if it were the work of God efforts to 
control or check the confusion would be vain. He thought it was of 
God, and decided to join in ascribing glory to God's name. All three 
therefore re-entered the house and found nearly the entire congregation 
upon the floor. Soon two or more at a time began to rise, shouting 



650 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

praise for the evidence felt for sins forgiven, for redeeming grace and un- 
dying love. The excitement was so intense that the ministers found 
their strength taxed to the utmost to supply the demands of the congre- 
gation. From thirty to forty professed to have been converted that day. 
Such was the beginning of the religious movement which on account of 
the strange bodily agitations attending upon, it was looked upon as the 
most wonderful event of the times. 

The next meeting was held on the following Saturday and Sunday at 
the Beach Meeting-house, ten miles west of Gallatin, Sumner County, 
where was present a vast assembly and where were witnessed scenes sim- 
ilar to those above described.* On the Sunday following this meeting 
a most wonderful meeting was held at Muddy River Church, a few miles 
north of Russellville, Ky. To this meeting the people came in in all 
kinds of vehicles, on horseback and on foot, from all distances up to 100 
miles. Long before the hour for preaching came there were present 
three times as many as the house could seat, and still they came singly, 
and in companies of tens, fifties and hundreds. A temporary pulpit was 
erected in the woods, and seats for the multitude made by felling large 
trees and laying them on the ground, "Preaching commenced, and soon 
the presence of the all-pervading power was felt throughout the vast as- 
sembly. As night came on it was apparent the crowd did not intend to 
disperse, * * * Some took wagons and hurried to bring 

in straw from barns and treading-yards. Some fell to sewing the wagon 
sheets together, and others to cutting forks and poles on which to spread 
them. Counterpanes, coverlets and sheets were also fastened together 
to make tents or camps. Others were dispatched to town and to the 
nearest houses to collect bacon, meal, flour, with cooking utensils to pre- 
pare food for the multitude. In a few hours it was a sight to see how 
much was gathered together for the encampment. Fires were made, 
cooking begun, and by dark candles were lighted and fixed to a hundred 
trees ; and here was the first and perhaps the most beautiful camp-ground 
the world has ever seen."-|- 

The Rev, Barton "W, Stone, a Presbyterian clergyman, pastor of Cane 
Ridge and Concord congregations in Bourbon County, Ky., hearing of the 
religious excitement in the southern part of his own State and in Northern 
Tennessee, started early in the spring of 1801 to attend one of the camp- 
meetings in Logan County, Ky, Afterward he wrote a book describing 
what he had seen, and as no one has given a more minute description of 

*The meeting held at Red River Baptist Church is said to have been held in 1799, and this at the Beach 
Meeting-house in 1800. If this be correct the times of holding these two meetings are pretty accurately deter- 
mined. 

fSmith's Legends of the War of the Revolution. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 651 

tlie bodily agitations, otherwise known as "the jerks" or "epidemic 
epilepsy," the following extracts from his work are here introduced: 

"On arriving I found the multitude assembled on the edge of a prai- 
rie, where they continued encamped many successive days and nights, 
during all which time worship was being conducted in some parts of the 
encampment. The scene to me was passing strange. It baffles description. 
Many, very many, fell down as men slain in battle, and continued for hours 
together in a comparatively breathless and motionless state, sometimes, for 
a few moments, reviving and exhibiting symptoms of life by a deep groan 
or piercing shriek, or by a prayer for mercy most fervently uttered. After 
lying thus for hours they obtained deliverance. The gloomy cloud that 
had covered their faces seemed gradually and visibly to disappear, 
and hope in smiles to brighten into joy. They would then arise shout- 
ing deliverance, and address the surrounding multitude in language 
truly eloquent and impressive. With astonishment did I hear women 
and children declaring the wonderful works of God and the glorious 
mysteries of the gospel. Their appeals were solemn, heart-rending, bold 
and free. Under such addresses many others would fall down in the 
same state from which the speakers had just been delivered. 

"Two or three of my particular acquaintances from a distance were 
struck down. I sat patiently by one of them (whom I knew to be a care- 
less sinner) for hours, and observed with critical attention everthing that 
passed from beginning to end. I noticed the momentary revivings as 
fi'om death, the humble confession, the fervent prayer and ultimate deliv- 
erance; then the solemn thanks and praise to God, the affectionate 
exliortation to companions and to the people around to repent and come to 
Jesus. I was astonished at the knowledge of the gospel truth displayed 
in these exhortations. The effect was that several sank down into the 
appearance of death. After attending to many such cases my conviction 
was complete that it was a good work, nor has my mind wavered since on 
the subject. 

"The bodily agitations or exercises attending the excitement * * 
* were various and called by various names, as the falling exer- 
cise, the jerks, the dancing exercise, the barking exercise, the laughing 
and singing exercises, and so on. The falling exercise was very common 
among all classes, saints' and sinners of every age and grade from the 
philosopher to the clown. The subject of this exercise would generally, 
with a piercing scream, fall like a log on the floor or earth and appear as 
dead. The jerks cannot be so easily described. Sometimes the subject 
of the jerks would be affected in one member of the body and sometimes 
in the whole system. When the head alone was affected it would jerk 
\ 



652 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

backward and forward, or from side to side so quickly that tlie features 
could not be distinguished, when the whole person was affected. I have 
seen a person stand in one place and jerk backward and forward in quick 
succession, the head nearly touching the floor behind and before. All 
classes, saints as well as sinners, the strong as well as the weak, were 
thus affected. They could not account for it, but some have told me 
these were among the happiest moments of their liA^es. 

"The dancing exercise generally began with the jerks and was j^ecu- 
liar to 23rofessors of religion. The subject after jerking awhile began to 
dance and then the jerks would cease. Such dancing was indeed heav- 
enly to the spectators. There was nothing in it like levity, nor calcu- 
lated to excite levity in the beholder. The smile of heaven shone on the 
countenance of the subject and assimilated to angels appeared the whole 
person. The barking exercise, as opposers contemptuously called it, was 
nothing but the jerks. A person afflicted with the jerks, especially in the 
head, would often make a grunt or bark from the suddenness of the jerk. 
This name of barking seems to have had its origin from an old Presby- 
terian preacher of East Tennessee. He had gone into the woods for pri- 
vate devotion and was seized with the jerks. Standing near a sapling he 
•caught hold of it to prevent his failing, and as his head jerked back he 
gave a grunt, or a kind of noise similar to a bark, his face turned 
upward. Some wag discovered him in this position and reported that he 
had found the old preacher barking up a tree. 

"The laughing exercise was frequent, confined solely to the religious. 
It was a loud, hearty laughter but it excited laughter in none that saw it. 
The subject appeared rapturously solemn, and his laughter excited so- 
lemnity in saints and sinners. It was truly indescribable. The running 
exercise was nothing more than that persons feeling something of these 
bodily agitations, through fear, attempted to run away and thus escape 
from them ; but it commonly happened that they ran not far before they 
fell, where they became so agitated that they could not proceed any fui*- 
ther. The singing exercise is more unaccountable than anything else I 
ever saw. The subject, in a very happy state of mind, would sing most 
melodiously, not from the mouth or nose, but entirely in the breast, the 
sound issuing thence. Such noise silenced everything and attracted the 
attention of all. It was most heavenly; none could ever be tired of 
hearing it." 

Elder Stone has been described as a man of respectable bearing, of 
spotless character and childlike simplicity, and easily attracted to the 
strange and marvelous. The above extract would seem amply to justify 
the description, and also that his judgment was somewhat under the do- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 653 

minion of liis imagination. Like Elder Hodge he evidently believed that 
the "jerks" were the work of God. He said that Dr. J. P. Campbell and 
himself "concluded it to be something beyond anything we had ever known 
in nature." Other writers besides Elder Stone have given descriptions 
of the jerks. The celebrated Peter Cartwright says : 

"Just in the midst of our controversies on the subject of the powerful 
exercises among the people under preaching, a new exercise broke out 
among us, called tlie jerks, which was overwhelming in its effects upon 
the people. No matter whether they were saints or sinners they would 
h)e taken under a warm song or sermon and seized with a convulsive jerk- 
ing all over, which they could not by any possibility avoid; the more they 
resisted the more they jerked. If they would not strive against it and 
would pray in good earnest the jerking would usually abate. I have 
seen more than 500 persons jerking at one time in my large congrega- 
tions. Most usually persons taken with the jerks, to obtain relief, as 
they said, would rise up and dance. Some would run but could not get 
away. Some would resist; on such the jerks were very severe. To see 
these proud young gentlemen and young ladies dressed in silks, jewelry 
and prunella, from top to toe, take the jerks, would often excite my risi- 
bilities. The first jerk or so you would see their fine bonnets, caps and 
combs fly, and so sudden would be the jerking of the head that their long, 
loose hair would crack almost as loud as a wagoner's whip." 

Besides other amusing experiences with the jerks, Peter Cartwright 
relates an account of a very different nature of a man who was jerked to 
death, which is probably the only case on record. A company of drunk- 
en rowdies attended a camp-meeting on what was called the Ridge. The 
jerks were very prevalent. The leader of the roAvdies was a very large, 
drinking man, who cursed the jerks and all religion. Shortly afterward 
he himself took the jerks and started to run, but jerked so powerfully 
that he could not get away. Halting among some saplings he took a 
bottle of whisky out of his pocket and swore he would drink the — — 
jerks to death, but he jerked so violently he could' not get the bottle to 
his mouth. At length, on account of a sudden jerk, his bottle struck a 
sapling, was broken and his whisky spilled upon the ground. A great 
crowd gathered around him, and when he lost his whisky he became very 
much enraged and cursed and swore very profanely. At length he fetched 
a very violent jerk, snapped his neck, fell and soon expired. 

Peter Cartwright looked upon the jerks as a judgment sent from God 
to bring sinners to repentance, and to show to professors of religion that 
God could work "with or without means, and over and above means, to 
the glorv of His grace and the salvation of the world." Lorenzo Dow 



054 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

has also left liis account of the jerks. He preached in Knoxville, Tenn.,, 
in 1805, when about 150 of his congregation were affected with the jerks. 
He says: "I have seen all denominations of religion exercised with 
the jerks, gentleman and lady, black and white, young and old without 
exception. I have passed a meeting-hoiise where I observed the under- 
growth had been cut for camp-meeting, and from fifty to a hundred sap- 
lings were left, breast high, on purpose for the people to hold on by. I 
observed where they held on they had kicked up the earth as a horse 
stamping flies. I believe it does not effect those naturalists who try to 
get it to philosophize upon, and rarely those who are the most pious, but 
the lukewarm, lazy professor and the wicked are subject to it." His 
opinion was that the jerking was "entirely involuntary and not to be ac- 
counted for on any known principle." 

It has been stated above that the first manifestations of this stransre 
phenomenon were witnessed at the old Red River Baptist Church. Some 
authorities, however, say that they first appeared at a sacramental meeting 
in East Tennessee, where several hundreds of both sexes were seized with 
this strange affection. The numbers that were affected at different sac- 
ramental and camp-meetings were various. At Cabin Creek, May, 1801, 
so many fell that on the third night, to prevent their being trampled 
upon, they were collected together and laid out in order, in two squares of 
the meeting-house, covering the floor like so many corpses. At Paint 
Creek, 200 fell, at Pleasant Point, 300, and at Cane Ridge, in August, 
1801, as many as 3,000 are computed to have fallen. 

This great revival lasted through the years 1800, 1801, 1802 and 
1803, and resulted in the conversion of many thousands of people, though 
probably no very accurate estimate of the number was ever made. Per- 
haps its most prominent peculiarity was that it was a spontaneous out- 
burst of religious emotion among the masses. There was no great revival 
preacher like Wesley or Whitefield ; there were no protracted meetings, 
at which by a long-continued and united effort, a revival was grad- 
ually brought about; but the camp-meetings were the result of the re- 
vival, which in an unusual manner came upon both preacher and people. 
Another characteristic of the revival was this: doctrinal and dogmatical 
discussions were dispensed with. Their value seems to have been for the 
time being entirely overlooked. The efforts for the ministers were chiefly, 
if not wholly devoted to the excitation of the emotions, to impressing 
upon the minds of the multitudes the great religious truth of the impos- 
sibility of escape from punishment for sin, except through repentance 
and the acceptance of Christ as the Savior of the world ; hence, the peo- 
ple labored under a Dowerful conviction of the necessity of reformation. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 655 

in their daily lives, which is always of infinitely greater importance than 
the doctrine of the decrees. The doctrines that were uttered were mainly 
those of Arminians and Pelagins rather than those of Calvin ; doctrines 
which appeal more directly to the heart and the common intellect than 
those that were temporarily neglected. When the great excitement had 
died away, however, tlie discussion of doctrines was again renewed, to 
some of the features of which especially, such as were results of the re- 
^aval itself, we shall refer after giving an explanation of the probable 
cause or causes of the jerks. These bodily agitations, which within the 
State of Tennessee were, strange as it may at first appear, confined almost 
exclusively to the Methodists and Presbyterians, although they were ex- 
perienced to some extent by the Baptists, But to the Presbyterians be- 
long the credit of first putting a check to and largely diminishing this 
wild extravagance. A minister of this denomination at a great camp- 
meeting at Paris, Ky., in 1803, arose, and in the strongest language 
denounced what he saw as extravagant and even monstrous, and imme- 
diately afterward, a part of the people under his leadership, took decided 
ground against the jerks. From that moment the wonderful movement 
began sensibly to decline. 

Many good people of those times together with the leading divines, 
as has been seen above, unaccustomed as they were then to referring 
effects to natural causes, and supposing the church, as compared with the 
rest of the world, to be under the special care of Divine Providence, 
considered these bodily agitations to be manifestations of Divine power, 
looked upon them as miracles attesting the truth of religion as those on 
the day of Pentecost. Others believed them to be the result of the 
machinations of Satan, and designed by him to discredit religion gener- 
ally, and camp-meetings and revivals in particular, which he feared would 
convert the world and destroy his power. But it does not necessarily 
follow that because good Christian people believed them to be the 
effect of Divine power that they really were so. Although generally 
supposed then to be so, they were not by any means new or peculiar to 
those times. Such agitations were common and remarkably violent in 
the days of Whitefield and the "Wesleys. They bear a close resemblance 
to what was known as the jumping exercise in Wales, described by Dr. 
Haygarth in his treatise on " The Effect of the Imagination in the Cure 
of Bodily Diseases." Besides these instances of these exercises there 
were in France 200 years ago, more wonderful manifestations than any 
recorded as having been witnessed in Tennessee. A quaint old book 
written in 1741 by Kev. Charles Chauncey, a noted divine, entitled "A 
Wonderful Narrative and Faithful Account of the French Prophets, their 



656 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Agitations, Ecstacies and Inspirations," states that " an account of them 
■would be almost incredible if they had not happened in view of all France, 
and been known all over Europe. From the month of June, 1688, to 
the February following, there arose in Dauphiny and then in Vivarias 
(an ancient district in France, now the departments of Ardeche and 
Haute-Loire) 500 or 600 Protestants of both sexes who gave themselves 
out as prophets, and inspired with the Holy Ghost. The sect soon 
"became numerous; there were many thousands of them. They had 
strange fits, and these fits came on them with tremblings and faintings, 
as in a swoon, which made them stretch out their arms and legs and 
fitagger several times before they dropped down. They remained awhile 
in trances, and uttered all that came into their mouths. They said they 
saw the heavens opened, the angels, paradise and hell. When the j)roph- 
■ets had for awhile been under agitation of body they began to prophesy, 
the burden of their prophecies being ' Amend your lives, repent ye, for 
the end of all things drawetli nigh.' Persons of good understanding 
knew not what to think of it — to hear little boys and young girls (of the 
dregs of mankind who could not so much as read) quote many texts of 
Holy Scripture. * * * The child was thirteen or fourteen 

months old, and kept then in a cradle, and had not of itself spoken a 
word, nor could it go alone. When they came in where it was the child 
spoke distinctly in French, with a voice small like a child but loud 
enough to be well heard over the room. There were numerous children 
of from three, four and five years old, and so on up to fiteen and sixteen, 
who being seized with agitations and ecstasies delivered long exhorta- 
tions under inspiration," etc. 

Further on this book pays some attention to the Quakers: " They had 
indeed, the names of Quakers given them from that extraordinary shak- 
ing or quaking as though they were in fits or convulsions. Then the 
devil roared in these deceived souls in a most strange and dreadful man- 
ner. I wondered how it was possible some of them could live." The 
E-ev. Mr. ©hauncey in order to set at naught all pretense that there 
was any genuine inspiration in all the foregoing, cites many instances of 
the sayings and doings of Christ, and then says: " These be some of the 
proofs of the divine mission of Jesus Christ and His apostles. Compare 
the strauijest and most unaccountable instances in the foreiroino; letter 
T^ith the miracles recorded in the gospel and they sink into nothing. 
They carry with them, closely examined, the plain marks of enthusiasm, 
or collusion, or Satanic possession." 

Reference to the above paragraphs will show that Dr. Haygarth's 
opinion was that these exercises were due to the imagination, and that 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 657 

tlie Rev. Mr. Channcey thought they were due to enthusiasm, collusion 
or Satanic possession. The enlightened reason of the present day 
would instantly discard the idea of Satanic possession, and, as nothing 
but deceptive appearances can be attributed to collusion, it follows that 
only enthusiasm remains as a rational explanation for the genuine agi- 
tations or ecstasies, that is supposing Mr. Chauncey to have enumerated 
all the causes. It will be remembered, too, that the manifestations in 
this State and Kentucky were checked and diminished by the opposition, 
first, of a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Mr. Lyle, at Walnut Hill, in 
September, 1803, and then by the united opposition of others who, like 
him, looked upon them as monstrously extravagant. The Rev. Dr. 
Blythe cured a lady of his congregation by threatening to have her car- 
ried out of the church at the next repetition of the paroxysm, and the 
Doctor himself at one time felt, through sympathy, an approaching 
paroxysm, and was able to ward it off only by continued and determined 
opposition. This was the means used by the Baptists to prevent them, 
and they were very generally successful. The inference would therefore 
seem to be that under powerful emotional preaching calculated to arouse 
the ecstacies or the fears of the congregation, the imaginations of some 
would be so powerfully wrought up that the nervous system v/as very 
greatly affected, and that through sympathy others less imaginative 
would experience the same affliction, which the will-power could success- 
fully resist, except where the individual resisting was overcome by the 
combined influence of the mentality of numerous otlier people. The 
phenomenon was nothing more than religious enthusiasm carried to a 
very great excess. It was in all probability a nervous disease, having 
luit little or no effect upon the general health. Though neither proving 
nor disproving the truth of religion, all such extravagances tend to the 
discredit of religion, and all proper means should be employed if neces- 
sary to prevent or discourage such folly and excess. 

It should be mentioned in this connection that those who, during the 
progress of the revival opposed the "bodily agitations" as extravagant 
and tending to the discredit of religion, were looked upon by enthusiasts 
as being opposed to the revival, hence the division of the people into 
"revivalists" and "anti-revivalists." These distinctions, however, were 
but of temporary duration, terminating when the revival had spent its 
force. Other results also followed, some of which Avere transient, others 
permanent;- some deplorable, others gratifying. "At this unhappy mo- 
ment, and in this unsettled state of things, when religious feeling ran 
high, that extravagant and (as we believe) deluded race — the Shakers — 
made their appearance, and by a sanctimonious show of piety and zeal 



658 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

dreAV off several valuable Presbyterian preachers and a number of un- 
wary members, doubtless to the great injury of the cause of rational 
Christianity."* 

About the same time other sects sprang up, known by the respect- 
ive names of "New Lights" or "Stoneites," "Marshallites," "Schismat- 
ics," etc. By these "heresies" the Synod of Kentucky lost eight mem- 
bers: B. W. Stone, John Dunlavy, Richard McNamar, Robert Marshall, 
John Thomson, Huston, Bankin and David Purviance. Marshall and 
Thomson after a time returned to the Presbyterian faith. The "Stone- 
ites" or "New Lights" were a body formed mainly through the efforts of 
Elder Stone, after he had decided to abandon Presbyterianism altogether. 
This new body was called by its adherents the "Christian Church," 
while by outsiders it was called by the name of New Lights. They held 
many of the views which afterward characterized the Campbell reforma- 
tion, especially the famous dogma of "baptism for the remission of sins," 
and Elder Stone intimates in his book pretty plainly that in adopting it 
the "Disciples of Christ" or "Campbellites," as the followers of Alexan- 
der Campbell were originally called, had stolen his thunder. When the 
Campbell reformation reached Kentucky Elders Stone and Purviance 
united with the reformers, and thus the Southern branch of the old 
"Christian Church" finally disappeared. Since then the name of Dis- 
ciples, or Campbellites, has been exchaged for the old name of the 
"Christian Church." Elders Dunlavy, McNamar, Huston and Rankin 
joined the Shakers. 

Another but more remote result of the great revival was the expulsion 
from the Presbyterian Church of a portion of the membership by whom 
was formed the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The necessities of 
the Presbyterians at that time in Kentucky and Tennessee were peculiar. 
In 1801 a few Presbyterian clergymen formed an association which was 
named the Transylvania Presbytery. On account of the great numbers 
added to the ranks of Christians by the revival there was not a suffici- 
ency of educated ministers to supply the demand. This presbytery felt 
justified in ordaining to the ministry some young men who had not re- 
ceived a classical education. In 1802 the Transylvania Presbytery was 
divided into two sections, one of which was named the Cumberland 
Presbytery, and which included the Green River and Cumberland Coun- 
ties. In 1804 a remonstrance signed by Revs. Thomas B. Craighead, 
John Bowman and Samuel Donnel was sent to the Synod of Kentucky 
against the proceedings of the Cumberland Presbytery in several par- 
ticulars, amongst other things in licensing uneducated ministers. Being 

♦"Recollections of the West,"'bv Ilev. Lewis Garrett. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 659 

taken completely by surprise, and thinking the citation of at least doubt- 
ful legality, the Cumberland Presbytery refused to appear before the 
synod when cited. At the meeting of the synod in October, 1805, a 
commission consisting of ten ministers and six elders was appointed to 
investigate the entire subject, vesting this commission with full synod- 
ical powers to confer with the members of the presbytery and to adjudi- 
cate upon their Presbyterial proceedings. Notwithstanding that the 
Cumberland Presbytery considered this commission vested with uncon- 
stitutional powers, they all, except two ministers and one elder, appeared 
before it at the appointed time and place. There were present ten or- 
dained ministers, four licentiates and four candidates. The commission 
after censuring the Presbytery for having received Kev. Mr. Haw into 
■connection, and considering irregular licensures and ordinations, deter- 
mined to institute an examination into the qualifications of the young 
men to preach. This examination the young men resisted on the ground 
that the Cumberland Presbytery was competent to judge of the faith and 
abilities of its candidates. The result of this refusal was that the com- 
mission adopted a resolution prohibiting all the young men in connection 
with that Presbytery, ordained, licensed and candidates, from preaching, 
exhorting or administering the ordinances until they should submit to 
the requisite examination. The revival preachers, however, resolved, to 
continue preaching and administering the ordinances, and encouraged 
the young men to continue the exercise of their respective functions. 
They also formed a council, consisting of the majority of the ministers 
and elders of the Cumberland Presbytery, of which most of the congre- 
gations in the Presbytery approved. In October, 1806, an attempt was 
made at reconciliation with the synod, but the synod confirmed the action 
■of the commission with reference to the re-examination of the young 
men, and at the same time dissolved the Cumberland Presbytery, attach- 
ing its members not suspended to the Transylvania Presbytery. The 
revival ministers determined to continue their work in the form of a 
council, until their case could go before the General Assembly, which 
met in May, 1807. At this meeting of the Assembly their case was ably 
presented, but that body declined to judicially decide the case. The 
synod, however, upon the advice of the Assembly, revised its proceed- 
ings, but was unable to modify them. Finally in 1809 the General As- 
sembly decided to sustain the proceedings of the synod. Thus the Cum- 
berland Presbytery was effectually excluded from the Presbyterian 
Church. However, another attempt at reconciliation with the synod of 
Kentucky was made, their proposition being to adopt the Confession of 
Faith except fatality only. To this proposition the synod could not accede. 



660 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

It had been the custom of the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina 
to ordain men to the ministry who adopted the Westminster Confession 
of Faith, with the exception of the idea of fatality taught therein, and 
the Transylvania Presbytery had also permitted ministers in their ordi- 
nation vows to make the same exception if they chose. Most of the 
Presbyterian ministers who had lent their aid in the promotion of the re- 
vival were men of this class. When, therefore, the acceptance in full of 
the Westminster Confession of Faith was required of them, they found it 
impossible to yield without violating their convictions as honest and con- 
scientious men. Thus the doctrine of fatality became an impassable bar- 
rier between them and the Presbyterian Church. Neither could they, on 
account of differences of doctrine, conscientiously unite with any other 
Christian body. Besides, as they regarded the Presbyterian as the most 
Scriptural form of church government in the world, they determined to 
form a Presbytery independent of the Presbyterian Church. Accord- 
ingly, on February 3, 1810, the Eev. Finis Ewing and Rev. Samuel 
King, and licentiate Ephraim McLean proceeded to the humble log resi- 
dence of the Rev. Samuel McAdoo, in Dickson County, Tenn., and submit- 
ted to him the proposed plan of forming a new and independent Presby- 
tery. After earnest prayer that evening until midnight, the next morn- 
ing he decided in favor of the proposal, and on that day, February 4, 
1810, at his residence, was formed the first Presbytery of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. Before their adjournment Ephraim McLean 
was ordained. 

"The next meeting of the new Cumberland Presbytery was held in 
March, 1810. At this session it included four ordained ministers "" (the 
four above named), "five licensed preachers: James B. Porter, Hugh 
Kirkpatrick, Robert Bell, James Farr and David Foster, and eight candi- 
dates: Thomas Calhoun, Robert Donnel, Alexander Chapman, William 
Harris, R. McCorkle, William Bumpass, David McLinn and William Bar- 
net. After a few months they were joined by the Rev. William McGee. 
These men were the fathers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
They adopted as their standard of theology the Westminster Confession 
of Faith, excepting the idea of fatality."* This "idea of fatality" was 
supplanted by the following particulars : First, that there are no eternal 
reprobates. Second, that Christ died not for a part only, but for all 
mankind. Third, that all infants dying in infancy are saved through 
Christ and the sanctification of the Spirit. Fourth, that the Spirit of 
God operates on the world, or as co-extensively as Christ has made the 
atonement, in such manner as to leave all men inexcusable. With these 

♦"Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Chuich."—Chrismcn. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 061 

exceptions the Cumberland Presbyterians adopted the Westminster Con- 
fession of Faith, and thus was established in Tennessee a new Christian 
denomination, professing a system of doctrine midway between Calvin- 
ism and Arminianism, for further particulars respecting which the reader 
is referred to sectarian writings. 

After encountering and overcoming numerous obstacles, this church 
was in a few years established on a firm foundation. At the fourth meet- 
ing of "its Presbytery, in October, 1811, a vain attempt was made to effect 
a reunion with the Presbyterian Church, but this church, though then 
and for many years afterward willing to unite with the mother church 
on "proper conditions," would, rather than recede from its position and 
preach the doctrines of her confession of faith, prefer to maintain a dis- 
tinct organization, and labor on according to the best light given them. 
Their success in this new theological field was from the first very great 
and very gratifying. In 1813 the original Presbytery was divided into 
three Presbyteries, and in October of that year the members of these 
three Presbyteries met at Beech Church, Sumner County, Tenn., and 
formed the Cumberland Synod. At the first meeting of this synod a 
committee was appointed to prepare a confession of faith, discipline and 
catechism in conformity Avith the expressed principles of the church. 
This committee, which consisted of the Revs. Finis Ewing, "William 
McGee, Robert Donnell, and TJiomas Calhoun, reported the result of their 
labors to the synod in 1811, by whom their confession of faith was adopted. 

The numbers of Cumberland Presbyterians continued steadily and 
quite rapidly to increase. In 1820 they had numerous churches not only 
in Tennessee, but also in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas 
and Alabama. In 1822 they had forty-six ordained ministers, and in 
1826, eighty. A general assembly was then deemed necessary by a por- 
tion of the clergy, and the plan of a college to be located at Princeton, 
Ky., was adopted. In 1827 the number of ordained ministers was 114. 
In 1828 the synod discussed the subject of forming a general assembly, 
and to carry the idea into effect, divided the synod into four — those of 
Missouri, Green River, Franklin and Columbia. The first general as- 
sembly met at Princeton, Ky., in 1829. To illustrate the rapidity of the 
growth of this church in membership it may be stated that in 1822 
there were 2,718 conversions, and 575 adult baptisms; in 1820, 3,305 
conversions and 768 adult baptisms; in 1827, 1,006 conversions and 
996 adult baptisms. In 1856 there were 1,200 ministers of this denomi- 
nation, and 130,000 members, and since that time their growth has been 
proportionally rapid. The college established in 1828 at Princeton, Ky., 
was named Columbia College. 



662 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

The statistics for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 18 09 were 
as follows : General Assembly, 1 ; Synods, 24 ; Presbyteries, 99 ; minis- 
ters, 1,500; communicants, 130,000; universities, Cumberland at Leba- 
non, Tenn., and Lincoln, at Lincoln, 111. ; colleges in Tennessee, male, 
Bethel, at McLemoresville ; female, Cumberland Female College, at 
McMinnville, and Donnell Female College at Winchester. Since this 
time the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has continued to grow and 
prosper in this, as in many other States, as the following statistics will 
show: In 1875 there were, as now, fifteen Presbyteries, with an aggre- 
gate church membership of 22,566, and 10,961 Sunday-school scholars. 
In 1880 the church membership was 29,186, and the number of Sunday- 
school scholars 11,031, and in 1885, the last year for which statistics are 
obtainable, there were, omitting the Presbytery of Nashville, for which 
there was no report, 82,726 communicants, 18,447 Sunday-school schol- 
ars, and |548,545 worth of church property. The total value of the 
church property belonging to this denomination in the United States was, 
in the same year, $2,819,006. 

As may be readily conjectured the Methodists reaped a bountiful har- 
vest from the great revival. It will be remembered that the Eev. Fran- 
cis Paythress was presiding elder on the Cumberland District. In 1804 
Rev. Lewis Garrett was presiding elder in this district, which included 
Nashville and Red River in Tennessee, besides portions of Kentucky, 
Mississippi and Illinois. He traveled the entire Cumberland Valley, 
from the mouth of the river to the mountains, through the cane brakes of 
Cauey Fork, through every part of the Green River country, visiting 
settlements and finding all classes much alive to the importance of re- 
ligion. The Cumberland District was then composed of six circuits and 
two missions, with about eight or nine traveling preachers. Mr. Garrett 
was the successor of John Page, who was the presiding elder on this cir- 
cuit when it was formed in 1802. He had much to do with the great re- 
vival, and had to assist him such men as Thomas Wilkerson, Jesse 
Walker, James Gwynn, James Young and Tobias Gibson. 

When the Western Conference was organized in 1800 it included 
Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, southwest Virginia and the Missisippi Ter- 
ritory, all of the western country then occupied by the Methodists. To 
give an idea of the groM^th of Methodism in that early day the number 
of members for 1796 and 1803 are presented. In the former year the 
whole number in America was as follows: whites 48,128, colored 12,170. 
This was twenty-two years after the introduction of Methodism into the 
country. In Tennessee there were 799 white Methodists and 77 colored. 
In 1802 the numbers were whites 2,767, colored, 180. In 1803 the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 663 

numbers had increased to 3,500 whites and 248 colored. These numbers 
are, however, not strictly limited to State lines. The conference for 1807 
was held September 15, 1806, at Ebenezer, in East Tennessee, Bishop 
Asbiiry present and presiding. 

It was during the progress of the revival that Miles Harper was 
brought to trial for violating the terms of the union which had been en- 
tered into by the Methodists and Presbyterians regarding the rules to 
govern them in preaching. One article of the union was that contro- 
verted points were to be avoided, and another was that they were not to 
proselyte. Harper, who was on Eoaring Kiver Circuit, preached right on 
without reference to the complaints of his Presbyterian brethren. The 
complaints continuing McKendree appointed a committee and put Har- 
per on his trial. His complainants, however, failed to prove the charges, 
and he in his own defense satisfactorily showed that they were them- 
selves guilty of the very charges they had brought against him, as they 
had been preaching the doctrine of the unconditional and final persever- 
ance of the saints, known to all to be a controverted point. The result 
was that Harper was acquitted, with which all were satisfied. However, 
when McKendree proposed to put some of the Presbyterians on trial for 
preaching as above they objected, and he pronounced the union a mere 
farcical thing. After this the union was of short duration. 

Conference for 1808 met at Liberty Hill, Tennessee, October 1, 1808, 
about twelve miles from Nashville in Williamson County, the site of an 
early camp-ground. At this Conference a regulation was made concern- 
ing slavery, which was that no member of society or preacher should buy 
or sell a slave unjustly, inhumanly, or covetously ; the case on complaint 
to be examined, for a member, by the quarterly meeting, and for a 
preacher, by appeal to an annual conference, where the guilt was proved 
the offender to be expelled. At this time the Western Conference con- 
tained 17,931 white and 1,117 colored members, an increase of 3,051. 
In 1811 the increase in the Holston District was 1,279, and in the Cum- 
berland District 1,819. In May, 1812, the General Conference met in 
New York and separated the Western Conference into two conferences, the 
Tennessee and Ohio. At that time there were in this country, in the 
United States, Territories and Canada, 184,567 members and 688 travel- 
ing ministers. Peter Cartwright in his autobiography in making a com- 
parison showing the growth of the church, says: "Lord save the church 
from desiring to have pews, choirs, organs or instrumental music, and a 
congregational minister like other heathen churches around them." 

The Tennessee Conference embraced the Holston, Nashville, Cumber- 
land, Wabash, Illinois and Mississippi Districts, the southern part of 



QQ4: * HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Kentucky being attached to tlie Tennessee Conference. The first session 
of this conference was held at Fountain Head, Sumner Co., Tenn., No- 
vember 12, 1812. Bishops Asbury and McKendree were both present. 
The rules by which the Western Conference had been governed w^ere 
adopted by this conference. The membership as reported at that time 
was as follows: Holston District, whites, 5,794; colored, 541; Cumber- 
land District, whites, 4,365; colored, 327; Nashville, whites, 5,131; col- 
ored, 601. A new arrangement of circuits was made this year, Cumber- 
land District being made to contain Red Eiver, Fountain Head, Goose 
Creek and Roaring River Circuits, while Nashville District embraced 
Stone River, Lebanon and Caney Fork. Answer to prayer was doubtless- 
more fully and generally believed in than at this day. Two instances il- 
lustrating this fact are here introduced. The first is of the Rev. James 
Axley, one of the most remarkable of the pioneer preachers of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in the West. It is related in the language of 
the Rev. Dr. Mc Anally: 

"But that for which he was, in my judgment, more distinguished 
than for anything else, was the reverence, fervency and prevalence of his 
prayer, proceeding, as it always seemed to do, from a deep, strong, un- 
wavering confidence in God, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
* * * With awe, with reverence and humility, and yet with great 
confidence, did he approach the mercy seat, feeling that 'Jesus answers 
prayer.' Infidelity may scofp, skepticism and 'philosophy, so-called,' may 
mark it as a 'strange coincidence,' but the fact remains to be attested by 
hundreds of witnesses still living, that time after time Axley has been 
known, at popular meetings in times of severe drought, to pray publicly 
for rain, with all the apparent humility, child-like simplicity and Chris- 
tian confidence with which he would have prayed for the conversion of a 
penitent; and rain came! So often did this occur in the course of years 
that it became common, when he publicly prayed for rain, for some wicked 
man to say 'Come, boys ; let's go on ; we'll get wet ; Axley's prayed for rain." 

In this I record but sober facts ; and even at the risk of wearying 
the reader I must mention one case, known to several persons now liv- 
ing, who were present and witnessed it. It occurred at Muddy Creek 
Camp Ground, in Roane County, Tenn., twenty-four or five miles west 
or southwest of Knoxville. A drought had prevailed over that region of 
country for an unusually long time, and the prospects were becoming 
truly alarming. On Sabbath of the camp-meeting Mr Axley entered the 
pulpit. Over him was a cloudless sky; around and beneath him was the 
parched earth. It had been remarked that during his stay on the ground 
previous to that hour he had been rather more than ordinarily serious, 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 6G5 

tliouglitful and taciturn, as tliougli something weiglied heavily upon his 
mind. On his entering the stand his friends observed that his counte- 
nance was deeply overshadowed with gloom. He sang and prayed. In 
his prayer on the part of himself and the people he made general confes- 
sion of sin and consequent unworthiness, pleading the merits of a cruci- 
fied Eedeemer, and implored pardon for the past and grace for the future. 
Then, among other petitions, devoutly and fervently he asked for rain 
upon the parched earth. The prayer ended, he arose from his knees, 
with a gloom still upon his countenance so deeply and clearly marked as 
to excite the sympathy of his friends. Instead of announcing his text 
and proceeding with his sermon, as was expected, he sang a few lines and 
again called the congregation to prayer. This time his entreaties for 
rain were strikingly and touchingly earnest and fervent, and the pleas 
put in differed from those of his first prayer. A second time he arose 
from his knees. Now his countenance was indicative of intense mental 
suffering. A third time he sang, and a third time he bowed in prayer. 
In this prayer he entreated God, for the sake of Christ, and in mercy to 
infants and unsinning animals, which had not abused His goodness, des- 
pised His mercies, blasphemed His holy name, desecrated His Sabbath, 
nor violated His commandments, to send rain and preserve them from 
the horrors of famine and want. This prayer ended, he arose, with a 
countenance lighted and calm as a summer's eve. He then announced 
his text and preached in his usual manner, without the most distant al- 
lusion to the unusual manner in which he had opened the services, or to 
the feelings that had prompted him. He simply went forward and did 
as I relate; giving no reason to any. But ere that sermon was ended, 
the darkened horizon and distant thunders announced the coming rain." 
Another case of answer to prayer is given in the language of the Rev. 
Leroy H. Cage: "I will here relate a circumstance that took place at 
Edwards' schoolhouse, two and one-half miles northwest from where 
Gallatin now stands. A circuit preacher named Henry Birchett had an 
appointment at that place, the congregation was too large for the house, 
and he had to preach in the grove. The preacher, having sung and 
prayed, took his text and began to preach ; a cloud arose, very angry, 
with thunder and lightning, the congregation became restless, the 
preacher stopped and said to the congregation: 'Be still, and see the sal- 
vation of God.' He dropped upon his knees and prayed that he might 
be permitted to preach that sermon to that congregation. The cloud be- 
gan at once to part, and a heavy rain fell all around but none reached the 
congregation. My father, Thomas Blackmore, John Carr and several 
others, who were there, report that the preacher's countenance shone and 



666 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

seemed to be more than human. It was further told me that ou his 
death bed there were shining lights around him, and they supposed that 
he heard unearthly music." 

It was about this time, in the years 1811 and 1812, that the religous 
emotions and fears of the people were affected and awakened in a most 
remarkable manner by the earthquakes and other phenomena of those 
years. It is very seldom that earthquakes occur over a great extent of 
country remote fi'om volcanoes, but these quakings were felt over an ex- 
tent of country 300 miles long and of considerable width. The surface of 
the earth not only trembled and shook violently, but broke open in fis- 
sures, from which mud and water were thrown to the height of trees. 
The comet of 1811 was of tremendous magnitude, and as such bodies 
were then considered harbingers of impending calamity, great consterna- 
tion was produced by its appearance. The aurora borealis was also that 
year exceedingly brilliant and beautiful, and many thought that in its 
rapid movements, the march of armies and bloodshed were portended. 
Besides all these things' there was a prospect of war with the Indians and 
with Great Britain. All these impending calamities produced in many 
quarters a deep-seated and terrible feeling of fear among the people, who 
shook and trembled more than did the earth beneath their feet. The 
uninformed but pious mind has for centuries been able to discover at 
frequent but irregularly occurring intervals signs of the near approach 
of the consummation of all earthly things. Wars and rumors of wars, false 
prophets, and the "judgments of the Almighty" are seldom absent from 
the world, which is for this reason continually coming to an end. And 
at such times as those we are now discussing, uninformed but wicked 
people, conscious of the iniquity of their lives and of the impui'ity of 
their motives, flee to the church, the only refuge for them in the Avorld. 
In the presence of the terrible comet, and of the earthquakes and im- 
pending war, men's hearts failed them, their knees smote together with 
fear, and they implored the ministers to preach and pray. The experi- 
ence they were then undergoing was altogether new. They collected to- 
gether in groups, terrorized and pitiful crowds. Similar scenes were 
witnessed in 1833, at the time of the occurrence of the great meteoric 
showers, or "falling stars," which produced a most profound and widely 
spread sensation upon the multitude. Men who for years had been per- 
sonal enemies, thinking the judgment day had come, made haste to be 
reconciled with each other, not waiting even for the dawn of day. Many 
instances are related by writers, who were eye-witnesses, which, when the 
danger was over, were exceedingly amusing, ridiculous or absurd. Only 
one instance of this kind can be here introduced. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 667 

Peter Cartwriglit was in Nashville when the first severe shock of 
earthquake was felt. He saw a negro woman start to the spring for 
water. When the earth began to tremble and the chimneys and scaf- 
folding around buildings being erected began to fall, she raised a shout 
saying: "The Lord is coming in the clouds of heaven! The day of judg- 
ment! The day of judgment!" Hearing this her two young mistresses 
were dreadfully frightened and came running out of the house begging 
her to stop and pray for them. But she replied: "I can not stop to pray 
for you now. I told you how it would be. He is coming! He is com- 
ing! I must go to meet him. Farewell! Hallelujah! Glory Hallelujah!" 
and went on shouting and clapping her hands. 

Such is the weakness of poor, ignorant human nature. When judg- 
ment is impending and apparently immediate and unavoidable, men are 
fearfully and tremblingly anxious to confess their own sins and to obtain 
pardon; when judgment seems indefinitely remote they are chiefly con- 
cerned about the sins of others and in denouncing against them the judg- 
ments of the Lord. Erasmus well said: ^'- Qaam religiosus nos affliciio 
faciiP''* When history, philosophy and the natural sciences, the natural 
antidotes for superstition, 'shall become sufficiently familiar to the masses 
such pitiable exhibitions of human weakness will disappear. 

The action of this conference at Liberty Hill, Tenn., in 1808, has al- 
ready been referred to. Some of the presiding elders and circuit preach- 
ers were strongly anti-slavery in their sentiments, and consequently were 
rigidl^^ anti-slavery in the administration of discipline. This was the 
case with the Kev. James Asley and Enoch Moore. They not only re- 
fused to license slave-holders to preach, but also denied them the privilege 
of exhorting or leading in prayer-meeting. They even went so far as to 
denounce slave-holders as no better than thieves and robbers. The course 
of the conference in that early day is illustrated by the following en- 
try: 

"Leven Edney, recommended from Nashville Circuit; his character ex- 
amined and approved, Lewmer Blackman being security that he will 
set his slave free as soon as practicable." It was, however, seldom found 
"practicable" to set free the slave. Notwithstanding the action taken by 
the Methodist Church in its adoption of rules for the government of 
slaves and slave-holders, the number of slaves held continued to increase. 
Generally speaking it was found impracticable to fi'ee the slaves, hence 
regulations adopted by the church, aimed at the institution, had but little 
effect otherwise than to create and foster a prejudice against the church 
itself. The Tennessee Conference which met in 1812, dealt with this ques- 

*How religious affliction makes us ! 



668 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

tion with such wisdom as they possessed. It was provided that every 
preacher having charge of a circuit should, upon information received, 
cite any member buying or selling a slave to appear at the next ensuing 
quarterly conference, which should proceed to determine whether such 
slave had been bought in a case of justice and mercy, and if this were 
found not to have been the case, the person buying or selling such slave 
should be expelled from the church. 

At the conference of 1815 this rule was voted to be unconstitutional 
and a report was adopted the substance of which was that the conference 
sincerely believed that slavery was a great moral evil, but as the laws of 
the country did not admit of emancipation without the special act of the 
Legislatui;e in some places, nor permit a slave so liberated to enjoy his 
freedom, they could not adopt any rule compelling church members to 
liberate their slaves, nor could they devise any rule sufficiently specific 
to meet the various and complex cases that were continually arising. But 
to go as far as they could consistently with the laws and the nature of 
things, to do away with the evil and "remove the curse from the Church 
of God," they adopted two rules on the subject, the first being that if any 
member should buy or sell any slave or slaves to make gain, or should 
sell any slave to any slave-dealer, such member should be expelled from 
the church, except he could satisfactorily show that it was done to keep 
or place different members of the same family together ; and the second 
was that no person should be eligible to the office of deacon in the church 
who did not disapprove of slavery and express a willingness to effect a 
legal emancipation of his slaves as soon as it was practicable for him to do 
so. At the conference held at Franklin, November 8, 1817, this question 
was again taken up for discussion with the result of the adoption of a 
verj^ elaborate report. After a "Whereas" that the General Conference had 
authorized each annual conference to formulate its own rules respecting 
slavery, the following resolutions (in substance) were adopted: 

First— That if any local elder, deacon or preacher in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church should purchase a slave, the Quarterly Conference 
should say how long the slave should serve as a remuneration for the 
purchase money, and that the purchaser should enter into a written obli- 
gation to emancipate such slave at the expiration of the term of servitude, 
provided that emancipation were permissible under the laws of the State ; 
but that if the laws of the State should continue to oppose emancipation, 
then the next Quarterly Conference held atfer the expiration of the term 
of servitude, should determine the future status of the slave. 

■Second — The same rule applied to private members of the church, 
but instead of the Quarterly Conference their cases were managed by a 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 669 

committee appointed by the preacher having charge of their respective 
circuits ; and in all cases relating to preachers, deacons, elders or private 
members, the children of slaves purchased, born during the time of 
bondage or term of servitude, were to be manumitted upon arriving at the 
age of twenty-five, provided the law should then admit of emancipation ; 
but if the law should not then admit of emancipation, the cases of all 
children born of purchased slaves were to be submitted to the Quarterly 
Conference or the committee, according to whether the owner was a 
preacher or private member. The portion of this rule which applied to 
the selling of slaves by a preacher or member is exceedingly interesting 
and curious. This provision required the preacher to submit his case to 
the Quarterly Conference and the private member to the committee, 
which Quarterly Conference or committee, as the case might be, should 
determine for what term of years the slave should be sold, and required 
the seller of the slave to record in the county court the emancipation of 
the slave at the expiration of the said term. This rule was to be en- 
forced from and after January 1, 1818. 

Such was the legislation of a body of ministers with reference to a 
subject over which they had no control, provided the laws themselves did 
not admit of emancipation, which they themselves assumed to be the fact. 
Hence the adoption of a proviso which in every case, taking things as 
they were, either nullified the rule or made it easy for a member or a 
minister to retain his slave ; for whenever he determined to own slaves it 
was easy to make it appear that it was in accordance with justice and 
mercy to retain those already in possession, or that under the law it was 
impracticable to set them free. Such legislation would seem to be suffi- 
ciently absurd, but it is amazing that an intelligent body of men should 
gravely attempt to compel a preacher or member to emancipate a slave at 
the expiration of a term of years after having surrendered ownership and 
control of the same. The only theory conceivable which can relieve the 
conference of the accomplishment of a solemn mockery is the supposition 
that they, having confidence in the justice of the future, must have be- 
lieved themselves to be anticipating civil legislation — that the legal 
emancipation of the slave Vas an event the immediate future must pro- 
duce. However, the attitude of the conference on this subject is of great 
historic value, bringing out into clear relief, as it does, the strong con- 
viction of the Methodist body of Christians that slavery was a great 
moral evil, the existence of which was deplorable, and to be opposed by 
every means attached to which there was any hope of its gradual abolish- 
ment. At the conference held at Nashville October 1, 1819, two persons, 
Peter Burum and Gilbert D. Taylor, were recommended as proper to be 



670 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

admitted on trial, but both were rejected because thej -were slave-holders, 
and a number of applicants for deacon's orders were similarly rejected. 
These rejections elicited the following protest: 

"Be it remembered that whereas Tennessee Annual Conference, held 
in Nashville October 1, 1819, have taken a course in their decisions rel- 
ative to the admission of preachers on trial in the traA^eling connection, 
and in the election of local preachers to ordination which goes to fix the 
principle that no man, even in those States where the law does not admit 
of emancipation, shall be admitted on trial or ordained to the office of 
deacon or elder if it is understood that he is the owner of a slave or 
slaves. That this course is taken is not to be denied, and it is avowedly 
designed to fix the principle already mentioned. Several cases might be 
mentioned, but it is deemed unnecessary to instance any except the case 
of Dr. Gilbert D. Taylor, proposed for admission, and Dudley Hargrove, 
recommended for ordination. We deprecate the course taken as oppres- 
sively severe in itself and ruinous in its consequences, and we disapprove 
of the principle as contrary to and in violation of the order and discipline 
of our church. We, therefore, do most solemnly, and in the fear of God, 
as members of this conference, enter our protest against the proceedings 
of the conference as it relates to the above-mentioned course and prin- 
ciple. Thomas L, Douglass, Thomas D. Porter, William McMahon, 
Benjamin Malone, Lewis Garrett, Barnabas McHenry, William Allgood, 
William Stribling, Ebenezer Hearn, Timothy Carpenter, Thomas String- 
field, Benjamin Edge, Joshua Boucher, William Hartt, John Johnson, 
Henry B. Bascom.*' 

This protest had considerable influence upon the church in the South. 
It was taken to the General Conference and by that body referred to the 
committee on slavery, but nothing definite was accomplished. 

At the conference which met at Columbia in 1824 this question of 
slavery came up again in the form of an address fi'om the "Moral Relig- 
ious Manumission Society of West Tennessee," whereupon the follow- 
ing resolution was adopted: 

Resolved, That the address from the Moral Religious Manumission Society be returned 
to committee accompanied with a note stating that so far as the address involves the sub- 
ject of slavery we concur in the sentiments that slavery is an evil to be deplored, and 
that it should be counteracted by every judicious and religious exertion. 

Thus it will be seen that the Methodist preachers admitted that slav- 
ery was a deplorable evil, and should be counteracted by every judicious 
and religious exertion. "What a misfortune," says Bev. J. B. McFerrin,* 
"that this sentiment had not always obtained! treating the matter in a 
religious manner, and not intermeddling with it as a civil question." 

*"History of Methodism in Tennessee," to which this chi^ter is indebted. 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 671 

In 1832 mission work among tlie slaves was for the fii'st time ear- 
nestly undertaken. South Carolina had set the example in work of this 
nature, and it was not long before there were scores of missionaries in 
the Southern States proclaiming the doctrines of Methodism to the bond- 
man as well as to the free. Among the blacks there were many genuine 
Christians and some excellent preachers. The decided and memorable 
impulse given to missionary work among the slaves was the result of a 
speech by Rev. (subsequently Bishop) James O. Andrew, which "car- 
ried by storm the whole assembly." So successful was the work of mis- 
sions among the blacks that in 1846 the board reported 29,430 colored 
members, besides the communicants in the regular circuits and stations 
of the church, while the general minutes give the total number of col- 
ored members in the same years as 124,961, In 1861 the board reported 
69,794 probationers, and 12,418 children under religious instruction, the 
general minutes, in 1860, showing 171,857 members and 35,909 proba- 
tioners. 

Without pursuing further in detail the action of the church on the 
important subject of slavery, it is now deemed proper to present a syn- 
opsis of the reasons for the separation of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States into two portions — the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church South. While there may 
be differences of opinion with regard to minor points of controversy, it 
can be positively stated that had there been no slavery there would have 
been no epoch of separation. The existence of this institution, the nec- 
essary connection with it of church members and its perpetual agitation 
in the quarterly, annual and general conferences, because of the perpet- 
ual and increasing agitation of the question outside of the conferences, 
was finally the occasion of the disruption of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which has been and probably ever will be a potent cause of re- 
gret to thousands of Methodists in both sections of the country, and 
probably to all except those who can clearly discern the hand of Provi- 
dence in all events, and who are settled in their convictions that " He 
doeth all things well." 

The General Conference met in New York May 1, 1844. It was the 
most memorable conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church ever held 
in the United States, The first question of importance which occupied 
its attention was that of Francis A. Harding, who had been suspended by 
the Baltimore Conference from the ministerial office for refusing to man- 
umit five slaves belonging to his wife at the time of his marriage to her, 
and which, according to the laws of Maryland, still remained hers after 
the marriage. The action of the Baltimore Conference in suspending 



6(2 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Mr. Harding is sufficiently set forth in the following preamble and reso- 
lution : 

Whekeas, The Baltimore Conference can not and will not tolerate slavery in any of 
its members. ******** 

Resolved, That Brother Harding be suspended until the next Annual Conference or 
until he assures the Episcopacy that he has taken the necessary steps to secure the free- 
dom of his slaves. 

With this demand Brother Harding failed to comply because, accord- 
ing to his plea, of his inability under the laws of the State to do so; but 
he nevertheless expressed a willingness to emancipate them and permit 
them to go to Africa or to any free State provided they were willing to 
accept freedom on those terms, but no evidence tends to show that any 
attempt was made to obtain their consent, or that their consent was 
obtained, and thus their emancipation was impracticable, for they could 
not live free in Maryland without violating the laws. But notwithstand- 
ing the impracticability of emancipation the action of the Baltimore Con- 
ference in the case of Mr. Harding was, on appeal to the General Confer- 
ence, after able arguments for the appellant by Dr. W. A. Smith, of Vir- 
ginia, and for the Baltimore Conference by John A. Collins, of Baltimore, 
sustained by the General Conference by a refusal to reverse it, the vote 
being 117 against reversal to 56 in favor of it, taken on the 11th of May. 

Another and still more important case came before the conference on 
May 22, in that of Bishop James O. Andrew, of Georgia, who had, against 
his own will, become connected with slavery. Several years previous to the 
meeting of this General Conference an old lady had bequeathed to him a 
mulatto girl in trust to be taken care of until she should arrive at the age 
of nineteen, when, if her consent could be obtained, she should be set 
free and sent to Liberia; but in case she should refuse to go to Liberia 
he should keep her and make her as free as the laws of Georgia would 
permit. AVlien the time came she refused to go to Liberia, and as 
emancipation and continued residence in Georgia afterward was imprac- 
ticable. Bishop Andrew remained her owner. About five years previous 
to the meeting of this conference. Bishop Andrew's wife's mother left to 
her a negro boy, and Mrs. Andrews dying, without a will, the boy 
became the property of the Bishop. Besides all this. Bishop Andrew, in 
January, 1844, was married to his second wife, who had inherited from 
her former husband's estate some slaves. After this marriage Bishop 
Andrew, unwilling to retain even part ownership in these inherited 
slaves, secured them to his wife by a deed of trust. But with reference 
to the first two slaves mentioned the Bishop became a slave-holder by the 
action of other people. The General Conference, impelled to action by 
the grooving and assertive anti-slavery sentiment throughout the North- 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 673 

ern States and the Northern Conferences, took action upon Bishop 
Andrew's case by passing the famous Finley Resolution, which was as 
follows : 

Whereas, The Discipline of our Church forbids the doing of anything calculated to 
destroy our itinerant General Superintendency; and whereas Bishop Andrew has become 
connected with slavery, by marriage and otherwise, and this act having drawn after it 
circumstances which, in the estimation of this General Conference, will greatly embarrass 
the exercise of his office as an itinerant General Superintendent, if not, in some places, 
entirely prevent it; therefore 

Resolved, That it is the sense of this General Conference that he desist from the exer- 
cise of his office so long as this impediment remains. 

To clearly perceiye the grounds for the passing of this resolution it is 
necessary to have reference to the discipline then governing the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Of this discipline there were but two rules having 
either direct or indirect bearing upon the case, the first being as follows : 
"The bishop is amenable to the General Conference, who have power to 
expel him for improper conduct if they see it necessary;" and the second 
being what has been called the Compromise Law of 1816 on the subject 
of slavery: "We declare that Ave are as much as ever convinced of the 
great evil of slavery, therefore no slave-holder shall be eligible to any 
official station in our church hereafter where the laws of the State in 
which he lives will admit of emancipation and permit the liberated slave 
to enjoy freedom. "When any traA^eling preacher becomes an owner of a 
slave or slaves by any means, he shall forfeit his ministerial character in 
our church, unless he execute, if it be practicable, a legal emancipation 
of such slaves conforniiably to the laws of the State in which he lives." 

The above is all that is contained in the discipline concerning bish- 
ops and slavery. It would seem clear enough that the Bishop had vio- 
lated no rule of discipline if it were true that under the laws of Georgia 
emancipated slaves could not enjoy their freedom. And as no attempt 
was made by any one on behalf of the conference to prove that emanci- 
pated slaves could enjoy their freedom in Georgia, it must be assumed 
even if it were not the fact that under the laws of his State it was im- 
practicable for Bishop Andrew to emancipate his slaves. The probabil- 
ity is that the true attitude for the present to sustain toward the confer- 
ence of 1844 is one of sympathy rather than of censure, even by those 
who still regret the division in the chuj'ch. It felt impelled and even 
compelled to take action upon this question that should satisfy at least 
a portion of the conferences, and chose to satisfy the majority- — the anti- 
slavery portion, those opposed to the election of or the continuance in 
office or in orders of a slave-holding bishop. The venerable Dr. Olin, of 
the New York Conference, probably expressed the sense of the confer- 
ence as accurately as it can be expressed at the present day when he 



674 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

said: "I look at this proposition* not as a punishment o£ any grade 
or sort. * * * I believe that what is proposed by this 

substitute to be a constitutional measure, dishonorable to none, unjust to 
none. As such I should wish it to go forth with the solemn declaration 
of this General Conference that we do not design it as a punishment or a 
censure ; that it is in our apprehension only a prudential and expedient 
measure, calculated to avert the great evils that threaten us." 

Looking at the question now from our present vantage ground it is 
evident that Dr. Olin could clearly discern the signs of the times. 
Division and separation, emanating from some source, it was impossible 
to avoid. The grand wave of anti-slavery sentiment had obtained im- 
pulse, and was irresistibly increasing in both volume and momentum. 
The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, no less than 
the discipline, was, like every other obstacle this grand wave' encountered, 
unable long to resist. The conference therefore, having to choose be- 
tween the discipline and the unity of the great body of the church, 
chose to sacrifice the discipline. Dr. Olin in another part of the same 
speech from which the above extract is taken, with reference to the prob- 
able consequences of the passage of the Finley Eesolution, said : " Yet 
allowing our worst fears all to be realized, the South will have this ad- 
vantage over us. The Southern Conferences are likely in any event to 
harmonize among themselves — they will form a compact body. In our 
Northern Conferences this will be impossible in the present state of things. 
They cannot bring their whole people to act together on one common 
o-round; stations and circuits will be so weakened and broken as in many 
instances to be unable to sustain their ministry. I speak on this point 
in accordance with the convictions of my own judgment, after hav- 
ing traveled 3,000 miles through the New England and New York Confer- 
ences, that if some action is not had on this subject calculated to hold 
out hope — to impart a measure of satisfaction to the people — there will 
be distractions and divisions ruinous to souls and fatal to the permanent 
interests of the church. * * * ^ But, sir, I will yet trust 

that we may put far off this evil day. If we can pass such a measure as 
will shield our principles from infringement, if we can send forth such a 
measure as will neither injure nor justly offend the South, and as shall 
neither censure nor dishonor Bishop Andrew, and yet shall meet the press- 
in »>• wants of the church, and, above all, if Almighty God shall be 
pleased to help by pouring out His Spirit upon us, we may yet avoid the 
rock upon which we now seem too likely to split." 

A brief extract from an unfulfilled prophecy by the Be v. George F. 

*The Flnley Resolution. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 675 

Pierce, of Georgia, a young and exceedingly enthusiastic divine, is as fol- 
lows: " Set off the South and what is the consequence? Do you get rid 
of embarrassment, discord, division, strife ? No, sir, you multiply divis- 
ions. There will be secessions in the Northern Conferences, even if 
Bishop Andrew is deposed or resigns. Prominent men will abandon your 
church. I venture to predict that when the day of division comes — 
and come I believe it will from the present aspect of the case — that in 
ten years from this day and perhaps less, there will not be one shred of 
^the distinctive peculiarities of Methodism left within the conferences that 
depart from us. The venerable man who now presides over the Northern 
Conferences may live out his time as a bishop, but he will never have a 
successor. Episcopacy will be given up; presiding-eldership will be 
given up ; the itinerancy will come to an end, and Congregationalism will 
be the order of the day." 

The vote on the Finley resolution was taken on the 1st of June, and 
resulted in its adoption by the vote of 111 to 69. Of the yeas four were 
fi'om the Baltimore Conference, and oDe from Texas — the only ones from 
a conference within slave-holding territory. All the members from Ten- 
nessee Conferences voted against the resolution as follows : Holston Con- 
ference — E. F. Sevier, S. Patton, T. Springfield ; Tennessee Conference — 
E. Paine, J. B. McFerrin, W. L. P. Green, T. Maddin; Memphis Con- 
ference— G. W. D. Harris, S. S. Moody, William McMahon, T. Joyner. 
An attempt to declare the action advisory only was laid on the table by 
a vote of 75 to 68. On the same day, June 3, a series of resolutions pro- 
posing the formation of two General Conferences was referred to a com- 
mittee, which failed to agree, and on the 5th, the following "declaration 
of the Southern members" was presented by Dr. Longstreet: 

" The delegates of the conference in the slave-holding States take leave 
to declare to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
that the continued agitation on the subject of slavery and abolition in a 
portion of the church, the frequent action on that subject in the General 
Conference, and especially the extra-judicial proceedings against Bishop 
Andrew, which resulted on Saturday last in the virtual suspension of him 
from his office as superintendent, must produce a state of things in the 
South which renders a continuance of the jurisdiction of the General 
Conference over these conferences inconsistent with the success of the 
ministry in the slave-holding States." 

This declaration was signed by all the members of the Southern 
Conferences, and by J. Stamper from the Illinois Conference, and was 
then referred to a select committee of nine, with instructions that if they 
could not devise a plan for an amicable adjustment of the difficulties then 



676 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

existing in the church, on the subject of slavery, to devise, if possible, a 
constitutional plan for a mutual and friendly division of the church. On 
the 7th of June this committee reported a plan of separation, which after 
much discussion was adopted — four of the resolutions by an average vote 
of 141 to 11, and the remaining seven and the preamble without a divis- 
ion. In the resolutions provision was made for an equitable division of 
the book concerns in New York and Cincinnati and the chartered fund, 
and all the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church in meeting- 
houses, parsonages, colleges, schools, conference funds, cemeteries, etc., 
within the limits of the Southern organization was secured to the South- 
ern Church, so far as the resolution could be of force. 

The Southern delegation to the General Conference issued a call for a 
convention to be composed of delegates from the several annual confer- 
ences within the slave-holding States, in the ratio of one to every eleven 
members, to meet in Louisville, Ky., May 1, 1815. When this conven- 
tion met Bishops Soule and Andrew presided, and after full deliberation 
it declared the Southern Conferences a distinct church, under the name of 
"The Methodist Episcopal Church South." The first General Confer- 
ence of this church met at Petersburg, Va., May 1, 1846. It was com- 
posed of eighty -five delegates from sixteen Southern Conferences, those 
from Tennessee being as follows: Holston Conference — Samuel Patton, 
David Fleming, Timothy Sullins, Thomas K. Catlett, Elbert F. Sevier. 
Tennessee Conference— John B. McFerrin, Robert Paine, Fountain E. 
Fitts, Alexander L. P. Green, John W. Hanner, Edmund W. Selion, 
Samuel S. Moody, Frederick G. FeT'guson, Ambrose F. Driskill. Mem- 
phis Conference — -Moses Brock, George W. D, Harris, William Mc- 
Mahon, William M. McFerrin, Arthur Davis, John T. Baskerville. By 
this conference Rev. William Capers, D. D., and Rev. Robert Paine, 
D. D., were elected bishops. At the time of the separation in 1845 there 
were in the Southern Church about 450,000 communicants, and in 18G0 
757,205. During the civil war this number was considerably reduced. 
In 1875 there were 37 annual conferences and 737,779 communicants, 
of whom 4,335 were Indians and 2,085 colored, and 346,750 Sunday- 
school scholars. 

As was naturally to be expected, the three conferences in Tennessee 
adhered to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1840 the num- 
bers of members in each of these conferences was as follows: Holston 
Conference — White members, 25,902; colored members, 2,420; local 
preachers, 304. Tennessee Conference — White members, 21,675; col- 
ored members, 4,405; local preachers, 298. Memphis Conference — 
White members, 12,497; colored members, 1,995; local preachers, 183. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 677 

The traveling preachers in each conference were as follows : Holston, 70 ; 
Tennessee, 109; Memphis, 69. In 1845 the Holston Conference reported 
95 traveling and 327 local preachers, and 34,4:14 white, 4,083 colored, 
and 108 Indian members. Tennessee Conference reported (in 1846) 153 
traveling ministers, 33,219 white and 8,036 colored members, and Mem- 
phis Conference reported (in 1846) 101 traveling and 310 local preach- 
ers, and 23,111 white and 6,003 colored members. 

The boundaries of the Holston Conference were fixed by the General 
Conference of 1874 so as to include "East Tennessee and that part of 
Middle Tennessee now embraced in the Pikeville District; that part of 
Virginia and West Virginia which is now embraced in the Eogersville, 
Abingdon, Jeffersonville and Wytheville District south of the line of the- 
Baltimore Conference, and including Jacksonville ; the line between the 
Baltimore and the Holston Conferences running straight from Jackson- 
ville, in Floyd County, to Central Depot in Montgomery County, so as to 
embrace in the Holston Conference the territory known as the New Hope 
Circuit; that part of the State of North Carolina which lies west of the 
Blue Kidge; a small part lying east of said ridge, embracing the 
Catawba Circuit, and that part now in the Wytheville District ; and so 
much of the State of Georgia as is included in the following boundary: 
Beginning on the State line of Tennessee at the eastern part of Lookout 
Mountain ; thence to the Alabama State line ; thence north with said line 
to Island Creek, and with said creek and the Tennessee Eiver to the 
State line of Tennessee, and thence to the beginning, including the 
town of Graysville, Ga." 

In 1875 this conference reported 171 traveling and 294 local preach- 
ers, 38,087 white, 140 colored, and 176 Indian members, and 23,226 Sun- 
day-school scholars. In 1880 the report was 161 traveling and 290 
local preachers; 44,279 white, 48 colored, and 148 Indian members, and 
28,541 Sunday-school 'scholars. In 1885 the following was the report: 158 
traveling preachers, 308 local preachers, and 46,529 white members, neither 
colored nor Indian members reported; the number of Sunday-school schol- 
ars was 35,116. When the Federal Armies took possession of East Ten- 
nessee many of the Methodists in that section desired the services of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and under authority given by the General 
Conference of 1864, Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was organized, its first session being held at Athens, Tenn., June 
1,1865. The numbers reported to this conference were as follows: 48 
traveling and 55 local preachers, 6,107 members and 2,425 Sunday-school 
scholars. In 1876 the numbers were 105 traveling and 237 local preach- 
ers, 23,465 members, 10,413 Sunday-school scholars, 190 churches val- 



678 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

Tied at $173,485, and 11 parsonages valued at $7,077. The boundaries 
of this conference, according to the discipline of 1876 were, on the east 
by North Carolina, north by Virginia and Kentucky, on the west by the 
western summit of the Cumberland Mountains, south by Georgia and the 
Blue Eidge, including that portion of North Carolina not in the North 
Carolina Conference. The statistics of the Tennessee Conference Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South for 1846, have been given above. In 1874 
its limits were so determined as to include Middle Tennessee, except the 
Pikesville District. In 1876 it reported 198 traveling and 331 local preach- 
ers, and 41,297 members. In 1880 the numbers were as follows: 198 trav- 
eling and 343 local preachers, 46,428 white, and 15 colored members; 22,- 
562 Sunday-school scholars, and the collections for missions amounted to 
$7,303.80. In 1885 the report from this conference showed 169 travel- 
ing and 314 local preachers, 52,865 white, and 11 colored members; 24,- 
675 Sunday-school scholars, and $12,610.65 collected for foreign mis- 
sions, and $3,368.20 for domestic missions. 

The Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was 
organized at Murfreesboro, October 11, 1866, by Bishop Clark, under 
authority of the General Conference. At this time it reported 40 trav- 
eling and 49 local preachers, 3.173 members, 2,548 Sunday-school schol- 
ars, and 13 churches, valued at $59,100. In 1868 its boundaries were 
so determined as to include that portion of Tennessee not included in the 
Holston Conference. In 1876 the statistics were 96 traveling and 206 
local preachers, 12,268 members, 8,359 Sunday-school scholars, 142 
churches, valued at $206,940, and 7 parsonages, valued at $2,500. Un- 
der authority of the General Conference of 1876 this conference was 
divided by separating the white and colored work. The statistics for 
1877 are as follows: 41 traveling and 193 local preachers, 11,638 mem- 
bers, 8,329 Sunday-school scholars, 197 churches valued at $137,028, 
and 15 parsonages valued at $4,000. 

The Memphis Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, 
a part of the statistics of which have already been given, was set off from 
the Tennessee Conference by the General Conference, which met in Bal- 
timore June 1, 1840. At the division of the church in 1845 it adhered 
to the other Southern conferences. Its original boundaries were as fol- 
lows: "Bounded on the east by the Tombigbee River, Alabama State 
Line and Tennessee Eiver; on the north by the Ohio and Mississippi 
Eivers; west by the Mississippi River, and south by the line running 
due east from the Mississippi River to the southwest corner of Talla- 
hatchie County ; thence due east to the southeastern corner of Yallabusha 
County ; thence in straight line to the northwestern corner of Oktibaha 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 679 

County; tlience due east to the Tombigbee Eiver." In 1874 the south- 
ern boundary was changed so as to conform to the State line between 
Tennessee and Mississippi. In 1871 there were in this conference 278 
local preachers and 27,833 members. In 1876 the following was the re- 
port: 125 traveling and 276 local preachers, 31,627 members and 15,726 
Sunday-school scholars. In 1880 there were 140 traveling preachers, 
238 local preachers, 33,329 white members, 18,610 Sunday-school schol- 
ars, and amount of collections for missions, $6,021.60, and in 1885 there 
were 127 traveling preachers, 233 local preachers, 28,584 white mem- 
bers, 21,884 Sunday-school scholars, and collections for foreign missions, 
.$6,757.62, and for domestic missions, $1,032.41. 

The convention which organized this church, in 1845, at Louisville, 
favored the establishment of a book concern, and appointed two book 
agents — Rev. John Early and Rev. J. B. McFerrin — to receive proposals 
for the location of the book concern, and also moneys and contributions 
for building up the same, requiring them to report at the time of the 
General Conference to be held at Petersburg May, 1846. This conference 
provided for a book concern, with Rev. John Early as agent, and assist- 
ants and depositories at Louisville, Charleston and Richmond. The 
"plan of separation" contemplated an equitable division of the common 
property, but the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
subsequently pronounced the plan of separation null and void and re- 
fused to abide by the settlement of 1844, upon which the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South took the case to the civil courts and secured a 
decision in its favor. The decree relating to the book concern was given 
April 25, 1854. The proceeds of these suits were as follows: Cash, 
$293,334.50; notes and accounts transferred, $50,575.02; book stock, 
$20,000; accounts against Richmond and Nashville Christian Advocate, 
$9,500; presses at Richmond, Charleston and Nashville, $20,000, and 
from the chartered fund, $17,712; aggregate $414,141.62. The total 
amount realized from these various sums was $386,153.63. The General 
Conference favored a book concern proper for the South, and accordingly 
the committee brought in a plan for a book establishment at the city of 
Nashville for the purpose of manufacturing books, to be called the Pub- 
lishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, to be under the 
control of two agents and a committee of three to be called the book 
committee. In August, 1854, the agents purchased in Nashville a lot 
fronting on the public square sixty-eight feet and extending back to the 
Cumberland River nearly 300 feet, upon which buildings were erected 
from three to four stories high, costing in the aggregate $37,282.52. In 
1858 the General Conference determined to have but one agent, but 



680 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

created the office of financial secretary. May 1, 1883, tlie assets of the 
publishing house were $309,574.61, and its liabilities $192,157.21; bal- 
ance, $117,4*17.40. 

The Methodist Protestant Church which was separated from the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in 1830, mainly on account of differences 
regarding church polity, found a few adherents in Tennessee. The Meth- 
odist Church seceded from the Methodist Protestant Church in 1858 on 
the question of slavery, and there were also a few adherents of this 
church in Tennessee. But the numbers of neither were never large ; hence 
a detailed account, either of their history or doctrines is not deemed ad- 
visable in this work. The division in the Methodist Protestant Church 
having been caused wholly by slavery, after the abolition of slavery by 
the civil war, the two bodies formed a reunion in 1877 at Baltimore. At 
the time of this reunion the Methodist Protestant Church had in its Ten- 
nessee Conference 18 itinerant ministers and preachers and 1,209 mem- 
bers, and in its West Tennessee Conference 17 itinerant ministers and 
preachers and 1,140 members, while the Methodist Church had preach- 
ers and 230 members. 

The work of the Presbyterians in Tennessee preceding and in connec- 
tion with the great revival has been referred to in preceding pages. In 
company with Rev. Charles Cummings in East Tennessee was the Rev. 
John Rhea, a native of Ireland, and whose name is closely associated 
with the formation of New Bethel Presbyterian Church, in Sullivan Coun- 
ty. These two were the first Presbyterian ministers in Tennessee. They 
both accompanied Col. Christian's expedition against the Cherokees 
south of the Little Tennessee River, mentioned in the Indian chapter. 
After this expedition Mr. Rhea returned to Maryland with the intention 
of bringing his family to Tennessee, but while making preparations for 
the removal, died there in 1777. His widow and family, however, re- 
moved to the Holston settlement, reaching their destination in 1779. 
They, with other Presbyterians, became members of New Bethel Church, 
located in the fork of Holston and Watauga. In 1778 Samuel Doak was 
ordained by the Presbytery of Hanover on a call from the congregations 
of Concord and Hopewell, north of Holston River in what is now Sulli- 
van County. Preaching here two years Rev. Mr. Doak removed to Little 
Limestone, in what is now Washington County, in which latter place he 
remained over thirty years. In connection with the Rev. Charles Cum- 
mings in 1780, he organized Concord^ New Providence an,d Carter's Val- 
ley Churches, in what is now Hawkins County, New Bethel, in what is 
now Greene County, and Salem at his place of residence. In 1783 or 1784 
Providence Church was organized in Greene County and the Rev. Sam- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 681 

uel Houston called to the pastorate, serving the church four or fiA^e years 
-when he returned to Virginia. The Rev. Mr. Doak opened a classical 
school, which in 1785 was chartered as Martin Academy, the first insti- 
tution of the kind west of the Alleghanies. In the same year Hezekiah 
Balch, a member of the Orange Presbytery, united with Kev. Samuel 
Doak and Rev. Charles Cummings, in a petition to the Synod of the Car- 
olinas, that a new presbytery be formed west of the Alleghanies, 
in accordance with which petition the Presbytery of Abingdon was 
formed. It was separated from Hanover by New River and from Orange 
by the Appalachian Mountains, and extended indefinitely westward. In 
May of the next year Abingdon Presbytery was divided and Transylva- 
nia Presbytery created, comprising Kentucky and the settlements on the 
Cumberland. The pioneer columns of emigration moved through the 
territory of Abingdon Presbytery to occupy the country beyond the 
mountains. 

For a number of years after its formation the Presbyterian body 
within its limits was in a state of constant internal agitation, resulting 
in a schism in 1796. The troubles were increased if not originated 
by the visit in 1782 of the Rev. Adam Rankin, of Scotch-Irish parentage, 
but born near Greencastle, Penn., who was a zealot, in modern parlance a 
crank, upon the subject of psalmody. His opposition to singing any other 
than Rouse's version of the Psalms was a sort of monomania; while oth- 
ers were almost as strongly in favor of Watt's version. On this subject 
the controversy waxed very bitter. In 1786 the synod instituted an in- 
vestigation and adopted measures which it vainly hoped would settle the 
dispute, and for a time satisfactory results seemed to have been reached 
and peace attained. But a difliculty of a different kind succeeded. The 
Rev. Hezekiah Balch, who removed to Tennessee in 1784, caused great 
trouble to the early Presbyterians, by persistently preaching "Hopkinsian- 
ism," a complicated system of religious thought which it is not the prov- 
ince of this book to discuss. By indiscretion in his preaching he pro- 
voked determined opposition. The subject being at length brought be- 
fore the presbytery, a majority of its members voted to dismiss the case. 
Five prominent members, three of whom belonged in Tennessee, viz. : 
Doak, Lake and James Balch, withdrew and formed the Independent 
Presbytery of Abingdon. The case came before the Synod of the Caro- 
linas and at last before the General Assembly which severely disciplined 
the seceding members and also R«v. Hezekiah Balch, upon which the 
seceding members submitted and the Presbytery of Abingdon was consti- 
tuted as before. At this time the Presbytery was bounded as follows: 
From New River on the northeast to the frontiers on the Tennessee 



682 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

Eiver, and from tlie Blue Eidge of tlie Appalachian Mountains to the 
Cumberland Mountains. It contained thirty-nine congregations, eleven 
of them in Virginia, three in North Carolina and twenty-five in Ten- 
nessee. 

In 1797 the Presbytery of Union was set off from Abingdon, embrac- 
ing Rev. Hezekiah Balch, John Casson, Henderson, Gideon Blackburn 
and Samuel Carrick, living in Abingdon Presbytery in Tennessee, 
Eev. Samuel Doak, Lake and James Balch. In 1793 the city of Knox- 
ville was laid off and the Rev. Samuel Carrick commenced laboring there 
and at the Fork Church at the confluence of French Broad and Holston^ 
four miles distant. Mr. Carrick was the first president of Blount College, 
retaining that position from the time of its establishment in 1784 to his 
death in 1809. New Providence Church was established at the present 
site of Mary villa in 1793 or 1791:, by the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, who was 
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Abingdon in 1792. After peace 
was made with the Cherokee Indians, he undertook a mission to that na- 
tion and by his self-sacrificing labors among them laid the foundation for 
the -subsequent successful mission of the American Board among the 
Cherokees. In 1799 Greenevilie Presbytery was laid off from the upper 
end of Union. Greenevilie Presbytery was dissolved in 1804, 

The Presbytery of Transylvania had charge of the churches on the 
Cumberland River until 1810, when the Presbytery of West Tennessee 
was erected with four members. In this year the Rev. Gideon Black- 
burn left Maryville, where he was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Anderson, who 
was the principal agent in establishing the Southern and Western 
Theological Seminary, incorporated as Maryville College in 1821. In 
1811 he took charge of Harpeth Academy near Franklin and preached 
in five different places v\^ithin a radius of fifty miles, one of those five 
places being Nashville, his efforts resulting in the establishment of a 
chui'ch in each place, these churches being erected into a Presbytery. 
Churches and ministers rapidly increased in Middle Tennessee. The 
Presbytery of Shiloh was created in 1816, from the Presbytery of Muhl- 
enburg in Kentucky and the Presbytery of West Tennessee, Shiloh ex- 
tending nearly to the southern portion of the State. In 1823 Dr. Black- 
burn was succeeded in Nashville by the Rev. A. B. Campbell, who was 
himself succeeded in 1828 by the Rev. Obadiah Jennings. In 1824 Dr. 
Phillip Lindsley came to Nashville as president of Cumberland College, 
which was changed to the University^ of Nashville in 1826. In 1829 the 
Presbytery of the Western District was organized with five ministers,, 
and in 1830 the first Presbyterian Church in Memphis was established. 

Following is given briefly the synodical relations of the different 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 683: 

presbyteries which were wholly or in part in Tennessee: At the forma- 
tion of the General Assembly the Presbytery of Abingdon was attached 
to the Synod of the Carolinas, but in 1803 it was transferred to the 
Synod of Virginia. The Presbytery of Greeneville belonged to the 
Synod of the Carolinas. The Presbytery of Union belonged to this 
synod until 1810, when it was transferred to the Synod of Kentucky. 
In 1817 the Synod of Tennessee was organized, being composed of the 
Presbyteries of West Tennessee, Shiloh, "Union and Mississippi, they 
being detached from the Synod of Kentucky. The Presbytery of Mis- 
souri was attached to the Synod of Tennessee in 1818, but transferred to 
the Synod of Indiana in 1826. The Presbytery of French Broad was 
erected in 1825, and of Holston in 1820. The Synod of West Tennessee 
was formed in 1826, consisting of the Presbyteries of West Tennessee, 
Shiloh and North Alabama, to which was added, in 1829, the Presbytery 
of Western District. In 1829 the Presbytery of Mississippi became a 
part of the Synod of Mississippi and South Alabama, and the Synod of 
Tennessee was composed of the Presbyteries of Abingdon, Union, French 
Broad and Holston. These four presbyteries with those of West Ten- 
nessee and Western District, representing the strength of the Presby- 
terian Church within the limits of the State, contained in 1830 an aggre- 
gate of nearly 100 churches and 71 ministers. 

From this time on until the year 1861 the Presbyterian Church in 
Tennessee continued to grow and prosper. In that year the General 
Assembly at Philadelphia passed what has since been known as the 
Spring Resolutions, which hopelessly divided the Presbyterian Church in 
the United States. All of the churches in Tennessee, as was to be ex- 
pected, cast in their lot with the Presbyterian Church South. The his- 
tory of this movement with its causes, as seen by the Southern Presby- 
terians, is given largely in the language of the minutes of the Southern 
General Assembly, and is here introduced. A convention of twenty dele- 
gates from the various Presbyteries in the Confederate States of Amer- 
ica met at Atlanta, Ga., August 15, 1861, of whom Eev. J. Bardwell was 
from the Presbytery of Nashville. This convention said with reference 
to the separation of the Presbyterian Church into two bodies: 

"While this convention is far from ignoring the pain of separation 
from many with whom it has been our delight as Presbyterians to act in 
former years, it cannot conceal the gratification which it experiences in 
the contemplation of the increased facilities for doing a great work for 
the church and for God afforded by the severance of our previous politi- 
cal and ecclesiastical relations. 

"Our connection with the non-slave-holding State, it cannot be denied, 



684 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

was a great hindrance to the systematic performance of the work of 
evangelization of the slave population. It is true that the Northern por- 
tion of the Presbyterian Church professed to be conservative, but the 
opposition to our social economy was constantly increasing. Conserva- 
tism was only a flimsy covering for the evil intent which lay in the 
heart of the Northern churches. In the last General Assembly Dr. 
Yeomans, a former moderator of the assembly, regarded as the very em- 
bodiment of conservatism, did not hesitate to assign as a reason for the 
rejection of Dr. Spring's resolution that the adoption of it, by driving off 
the Southern brethren, would forever bar the Northern church against 
all efforts to affect a system of involuntary servitude in the South." 

At a meeting of ministers and ruling elders which mefc at Augusta, 
Ga., December 4, 1861, for the purpose of organizing a General Assem- 
bly of the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America, 
the following members from Tennessee were present: Synod of Mem- 
phis — Chickasaw Presbytery, William V. Frierson and H. H. Kimmon ; 
Memphis Presbytery, John M. "Waddel, D. D., and J. T. Swayne; the 
Western District, James H. Gillespie; Synod of Nashville — Holston 
Presbytery, J. W. Elliott and S. B. McAdams; Knoxville Presbytery, E. 
G. Currey and Joseph A. Brooks; Maury Presbytery, Shepard Wells; 
Nashville Presbytery, E. B. McMullen, D. D., and A. W. Putnam; Tus- 
cumbia Presbytery, James H. Lorance and L. B. Thornton. 

The title of the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of 
America, and also the confession of faith, the catechism, the form 
of government, the book of discipline and the directory of worship 
were also adopted, only substituting the words Confederate States for 
United States. At this session of the General Assembly of the Presby- 
terian Church of the Confederate States of America an address was de- 
livered setting forth the causes that impelled them to separate from the 
church of the North, in which they said: 

"We should be sorry to be regarded by the brethren in any part of 
the world as guilty of schism. We are not conscious of any purpose to 
rend the body of Christ. On the contrary our aim was to permit the 
unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. ***** 

We liaA^e separated from our brethren of the North as Abraham separated 
from Lot — because we are persuaded that the interests of true religion 
will be more effectually subserved by two independent churches. Under 
the circumstances under which the two countries are placed they cannot 
be one united body. In the first place the course of the last assembly at 
Philadelphia conclusively shows that should we remain together the polit- 
ical questions which divide us as citizens will be obtruded upon our 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 685 

church courts and discussed by Christian ministers and elders with all 
the acrimony, bitterness and rancor with which such questions are 
usually discussed by men of the world. A mournful spectacle of strife 
and debate would be the result. Commissioners from the Northern 
would meet commissioners from the Southern conferences to wrangle 
over the question which have split them into two conferences and 
involved them in fierce and bloody war. They would denounce each other 
on the one hand as tyrants and oppressors, and on the other as traitors 
and rebels. The Spirit of God would take His departure from these 
scenes of confusion, and leave the church lifeless and powerless — an 
easy prey to the sectional divisions and angry passions of its members. 
* * * * * * * The characteristics 

of the man and the citizen will prove stronger than the charity of the 
Christian. We cannot condemn a man in one breath as unfaithful to 
the most solemn earthly interests of his country and his race, and com- 
mend him in the nest as a true and faithful servant of God. If we dis- 
trust his patriotism our confidence is apt to be very measured in his 
piety. The only conceivable condition, therefore, upon which the church 
of the North and the South could remain together as one body with 
any prospect of success, is the vigorous exclusion of the questions and 
passions of the former from its halls of debate. The provinces of the 
church and State are perfectly distinct. The State is a society of rights, 
the church is the society of the redeemed. The former aims at social 
order, the latter at spiritual holiness. The State looks to the visible and 
outward, the church to the invisible and inward. The power of the 
church is exclusively spiritual, that of the State includes the exercise of 
force. The constitution of the church is a divine relation, the constitu- 
tion of the State must be determined by human reason and the course 
of events. 

"Had these principles been sturdily maintained by the Assembly of 
Philadelphia, it is possible that the ecclesiastical separation of the North 
and South might have been deferred for years. But alas for the weak- 
ness of man those golden visions were soon dispelled. The first thing 
that led our presbyteries to look the question of separation seriously in 
the face, was the course of the assembly in venturing in determining as 
a court of Jesus Christ, which it did by necessary implication, the true 
interpretation of the Constitution of the United States as to the kind of 
government it intended to form. A political theory was to all intents 
and purposes propounded which made secession a crime, the seceding 
States rebellious and the citizens who obeyed them traitors. We say 
nothing here as to the righteousness or honesty of these decrees. What 

43 



686 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

we maintain is that whetlier right or wrong the church had no right to 
make them. She transcended her sphere and usurped the duties of the 
State. The assembly, driven from its ancient moorings, was tossed to 
and fro by the waves of populace ; like Pilate it obeyed the clamor of the 
multitude, and though acting in the name of Jesus, it kissed the scepter 
and bowed to the mandates of Northern frenzy. 

" Though the immediate occasion of separation was the course of the 
General Assembly at Philadelphia in relation to the General Government 
and the war, there was another ground on which the independent organi- 
zation of the Southern church could be scripturally maintained. The 
unity of the churc^i does not require a formal bond of union among 
all the congregations of believers throughout the earth. It does not de- 
mand a vast imperial monarchy like that of Rome, nor a strictly council 
like that to which the complete development of Presbyterianism would 
naturally give rise. As the unity of the human race is not disturbed by 
its division into countries and nations, so the unity of the spiritual king- 
dom of Christ is neither broken nor impaired by separation and division 
into various church constitutions, and so forth." 

The same assembly ventured to lay before the Christian world their 
views of slavery, and their conclusion was that the church had no right 
to preach to the South the extirpation of slavery any more than they had 
to preach to the monarchies of Europe and the despotisms of Asia the 
doctrine of equality, unless it could be shown that slavery was a sin. 
For if slavery were not a sin, then it was a question for the State to 
settle. The assembly then attempted to prove that slavery was not at 
variance with the Bible, and therefore not a sin. The argument on this 
point can not be here given, but it was the same that was always relied 
upon to prove that slavery was not necessarily a sin. Thus was the Pres- 
byterian Church of the South launched upon its individual existence. 

The minutes of the General Assembly do not give any statistics of 
value previous to 1863. The fund for church extension was then but 
$142.75, of which $100 had been appropriated to a church in Tennessee, 
and $30 to one in Georgia. In this year according to the best estimate 
that can be made there were 5,830 members of the Presbyterian Church 
in Tennessee. In 1865 the name of the church was changed to the 
Presbyterian Church of the United States. Thus the Spring resolutions 
compelled the organization of the Southern Presbyterian Church. The 
necessary result of political legislation by the General Assembly of 1861 
was to force the entire Southern constituency out of that connection. 
The Southern Assembly earnestly asserted that the church was a non- 
secular, non-political institution, that it was wholly spiritual in its nature 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 687 

and mission, and entirely separate from and independent of the State, 
and this position it has ever since maintained. This conception of the 
true nature of the Church of Christ has caused the Southern Presbyte- 
rian Church to reject all overtures made by the Northern General As- 
sembly looking toward a reunion, for both Old and New School Presby- 
terians in the North (a distinction scarcely known in Tennessee) per- 
sisted in the utterance of political doctrines, which, whether true or false, 
they were inhibited from uttering by the Bible and by their own statute 
law. These utterances, which the Southern church regards illegal, re- 
main unrepealed and upon the records, preventing the two churches from 
uniting into one. No disavowal of them has been made, as of words in- 
considerately uttered in times of excitement, and until such action shall 
be taken by the Northern church it is improbable that a reunion will 
ever be effected. In 1866 in Presbytery of Memphis there were 1,184 
communicants; the Presbytery of the Western District, 1,058; Presby- 
tery of Holston, 987; Presbytery of Knoxville, 123; Presbytery of Nash- 
ville, 1,320, and in the Presbytery of Alabama, 1,164 Total, 5,836. 

In 1870 the following were the number of communicants: Presby- 
tery of Memphis, 1,913; Presbytery of the Western District, 1,034; 
Presbytery of Holston, 1,571; Presbytery of Knoxville, 856; Presbytery 
of Nashville, 2,074; Presbytery of North Alabama, including 4 churches 
in Alabama, 12 in Mississippi and 23 in Tennessee, 1,804; a total of 
9,252. In 1880 the following were the statistics: Presbytery of Mem- 
phis, 2,041; Presbytery of the Western District, 939; Presbytery of 
Columbia, 1,713; Presbytery of Holston, 2,030; Presbytery of Knoxville, 
1,227; Presbytery of Nashville, 3,388; a total of 11,338. In 1885 the 
statistics were as follows: Presbytery of Memphis, communicants, 2,055; 
churches, 36; Sunday-school scholars, 1,448. Presbytery of the West- 
ern District, communicants, 1,375; churches 25; Sunday-school schol- 
ars, 533. Presbytery of Columbia, communicants, 1,599; churches, 25; 
Sunday-school scholars, 1,061. Presbytery of Holston, communicants, 
2,136; churches, 38; Sunday-school scholars, 1,241. Presbytery of 
Knoxville, communicants, 1,314; churches, 25; Sunday-school scholars, 
1,098. Presb}i;ery of Nashville, communicants, 3,393; churches, 34; 
Sunday-school scholars, 2,673. Total communicants, 11,872; churches, 
183; Sunday-school scholars, 8,054. 

The Baptists also profited by the great revival, but perhaps not to the 
same or a proportionate extent, as did the Methodists. They were in 
Tennessee as early perhaps as any other denomination. In 1781 they 
had six organized churches holding relations with an association in 
North Carolina, which, with a few others, were in 1786 formed into the 



688 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Holston Association, the first association formed in the State. Among 
the first Baptist ministers in East Tennessee were James Keel, Thomas 
Murrell, Matthew Talbot, Isaac Barton, William Murphy, John Chastine, 
Tidence Lane and William Eeno. These ministers usually settled on 
farms and made their own living by tilling the soil or by teaching school, 
preaching Sundays, or at night in schoolhouses, in private houses, in im- 
provised meeting-houses or in the open air, as the case might be. In 
1790 the Holston Association had 889 members, and in 1800 it had 37 
churches and 2,500 members. In 1802 the Tennessee Association was 
organized in territory in the immediate neighborhood of Knoxville. 
Some of the ministers connected with this new organization were Duke 
Kimbrough, Elijah Eogers, Joshua Frost, Amos Hardin, Daniel Layman 
and William Bellew. In 1817 Powell's Yalley Association was organ- 
ized Y»dth 12 churches. In 1822 Hiwassee Association, consisting of 10 
churches, was organized, which, in 1830, was divided into two associa- 
tions, the new organization being named Sweetwater Association, and be- 
ing composed of 17 cJiurches and 1,100 members. 

In Middle Tennessee the first Baptist Church was organized it is be- 
lieved in 1786, by Joseph Grammer, on Eed Eiver. In 1791 the "Eed 
Eiver Baptist Church" was founded on the Sulphur Fork of Eed Eiver. 
This and other churches in existence at that time were organized into 
the Mero District Association. Soon afterward other churches were or- 
p-anized in the vicinity of Nashville: Mill Creek Church, four miles south 
of the city, Eev. James Whitsitt, pastor; Eichland Creek Church, sis 
miles west, Eev. John De La Hunte (afterward Dillahunty), pastor, and 
another church a little further west, of which the Eev. Garner McConnico 
was pastor. On account of internal dissensions this association was dis- 
solved, and in 1803 the Cumberland Association was formed. When 
this association became too large it was divided into two, the new organi- 
zation being named the Eed Eiver Association. In 1810 the Concord 
Association was formed, its territory having Nashville for its center. In 
1822 this association was divided and Salem formed with twenty-seven 
churches. Among the ministers active in this part of the State in addi- 
tion to those mentioned above were the following: Joseph Dorris, Daniel 
Brown, John Wiseman, Joshua Sester, John Bond and Jesse Cox. 

Up to this time there had been but little if any trouble in the church 
respecting doctrines. There was very general if not universal assent to 
the great fundamental doctrines of the church, which were strictly and- 
with some of the ministers hyper-Calvinistic. These were particular and 
unconditional election and reprobation, that Christ died only for the elect, 
that none of the elect could by any possibility l)e lost, and that none of 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 689 

the non-elect could by any possibility be saved. But now the doctrine 
of election and the extent of the atonement, whether it was general or 
limited in its design, began to agitate the church. A similar contro- 
versy occurred in eastern Kentucky about 1780, resulting in a division of 
the denomination into regular and separate Baptists. The result in 
Tennessee was the same, only more widely felt. The origin of this con- 
troversy in Tennessee seems to have been as follows: Elder Reuben 
Boss, who had emigrated from North Carolina in 1807, settling near 
Port Boyal, Montgomery County, and preaching mainly in that and 
Stewart County for many years, during his early ministry became much 
troubled and perplexed over the doctrines of election and predestination. 
He could not reconcile with his own ideas of justice the thought that 
God in the plenitude of His wisdom and goodness had doomed to ever- 
lasting misery and to eternal bliss separate portions of the human race, 
from before the beginning of time, without reference to their merits or de- 
serts, simply because it was His own will and pleasure so to decree. His 
study of the sacred Scriptures led him to the opposite conclusion. The 
sacred writings declare that God's tender mercies are over all His works, 
that He is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that fears Him 
and works righteousness is accepted of Him. 

Upon his arrival in Tennessee Elder Boss found his fellow Baptists 
entertaining rigid Calvinistic views with great tenacity, and although 
out of respect for the opinions of the many great and good men who 
had lived and died in that faith he had not publicly opposed their doc- 
trinal teachings, yet he could not but doubt their correctness, and in order 
to fully satisfy his judgment of the Biblical soundness of his own views he 
brought to bear on the study of this question all the faculties of his 
mind, using all the means in his possession to the investigation of a sub- 
ject which he felt to be one of the most important in the entire range of 
Christian theology. In the Old Testament no passage bearing upon this 
subject is more remarkable perhaps than that found in Ezekiel, chapter 
xviii, verses 21 to 32 inclusive. These various texts seemed to him to 
prove conclusively that man's salvation is conditional instead of uncondi- 
tional, and the more he studied the Bible the more settled was he in the 
conviction that this is the true position. The underlying principle of 
ends accomplished by the adoption of means is everywhere visible in na- 
ture and the world, and using this as an analogy Elder Ross had his con-^ 
viction strengthened that salvation, if obtained at all, is obtained or 
achieved by or through efforts put forth by ourselves, or that it is condi- 
tioned on the employment of proper means. The first sermon in which this 
<loctrine was clearly and distinctly enunciated was preached in July, 1817, 



690 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

at fclie funeral of Miss Eliza Norfleet, who had died a short time previously 
at Port Royal, Tenn. This sermon was a remarkable one, not only for the 
deep impression made on the minds of the auditors, but also for the im- 
portant consequences which followed. The substance of the sermon 
was that although the human race is in a state of alienation from God 
on account of disobedience and rebellion against His laws, yet Christ, by 
His suffering and death had made an atonement sufficient for the sins of 
the whole world; that salvation is free to all who will accept the terms, 
repentance, faith, love and obedience, to become followers of the meek 
and lowly Jesus; that while the Holy Spirit is given to influence men to 
believe in Christ, yet He never operates on the human soul in such a 
way or with . such power as to destroy its free agency, and hence with 
man is left the fearful responsibility of determining whether he will be 
saved or lost, that the election spoken of in the Bible is not uncondi- 
tional, but always has reference to character and conduct, etc. 

Having finished his sermon he descended from the pulpit or j)latform 
erected in a grove of shady trees, and without exchanging a word with 
any one returned directly to his home, twenty miles distant. His auditors 
generally approved of the sentiments expressed in his sermons, but a 
small group of elderly, dignified and gray-haired men, who could clearly 
see the tendency of such preaching, earnestly attempted to decide on 
what course it was best to follow. At length it was decided to send 
Elder Fort to expostulate with Elder Ross upon the strangeness of his 
views, and to persuade him, if possible, to reconsider his position and 
save his church from the great reproach that must otherwise come upon 
it of falling into the grievous heresy of Arminianism. Elder Fort en- 
tered upon the execution of his mission, saw Elder Ross, and returned to 
his friends converted to the views of Elder Ross. The new views spread 
quite rapidly among the Baptist Churches, as all new views upon re- 
ligious doctrines are sure to spread more or . less widely, whether scrip- 
tural or unscriptural, true or false. 

The preaching of the new doctrines went on. In some churches the 
majority of the members were in their favor; in some the majority were 
in favor of the old, while in others the members were about equally 
divided. If any one, dissatisfied with the new or old doctrines preached 
in his church, desired to sever his connection therewith, he was given a 
letter of dismission to any other church holding views similar to his own. 
In 1823 Christopher Owen, a worthy member of Spring Creek Church, 
of which Elder Ross was then pastor, preferred charges against him of 
preaching unscriptural doctrine, but as the church decided by a unanimous 
vote that the charg^e could not be sustained, it was withdrawn. In the 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 691 

same year a convention of delegates from the churches of the Red River 
Association met in the Union Meeting-house, Logan County, Ky., for the 
ostensible purpose of restoring peace within its limits. Upon the meet- 
ing of the convention, however, it soon became apparent that many mem- 
■ bers of the convention were determined upon obtaining peace by bring- 
ing Elder Ross to trial and by condemning and suppressing his opinions. 
A charge was preferred against him of preaching doctrines contrary to 
the "Abstract of Principles," which took him somewhat by surprise, but 
upon recovering himself he demanded a trial upon the question as to 
whether his preaching was contrary to the Bible. This demand took the 
convention by surprise, and as no member of it was willing to meet him 
on that ground, his trial did not coine off. Peace, however, had departed 
from the church by the introduction by Elder Ross of his heretical opin- 
ions ; hence when the association met next year he proposed a peaceful 
division of the association, upon which proposition the association acted, 
and as a final result the convention which met October 28, 1825, organ- 
ized the Bethel Association, into which the following churches entered: 
Red River, Spring Creek, Drake's Pond, Mount Gilead, Bethel, Little 
West Fork, New Providence and Pleasant Grove. Afterward Elkton, 
Lebanon, Mount Zion, Russellville and Union joined the association. 
The original number of churches in this association was eight, and the 
membership about 700; before the death of Elder Ross the number of 
churches had increased to sixty-two, and the membership to more than 
7,000, and this, notwithstanding the withdrawal of many of its members 
to join tlie movement for reformation which finally culminated in the 
formation of the Christian Church. The churches that thus seceded and 
formed the Bethel Association were called Separate Baptists. But after 
the formation of the Bethel Association and the advent of the "Cur- 
rent Reformation," as Alexander Campbell's movement was called, there 
were a number of years of comparative peace. Progress had been made, 
harmony as a general thing had been preserved, and the members of the 
Baptists had increased in about the same proportion as the population of 
the State. But the work of evangelization had been performed by indi- 
vidual ministers at their own convenience and expense. About the year 
1833, however, a general revival began, and the importance of an organ- 
ized plan for supplying the destitute with the gospel, and of extending 
the influence of their denominational principles, was clearly seen and felt. 
A plan was therefore originated in Middle Tennessee by Garner Mc- 
Connico, James Whitsitt and Peter S. Gayle, at Mill Creek, near Nashville, 
in October of this year, a Baptist State Convention being then organized. 
Three boards were appointed to conduct its affairs, one for each grand 



692 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

division o£ the State. This plan being found impracticable, the East 
Tennessee Baptists withdrew and formed the General Association of East 
Tennessee, the principal ministers engaged in this work being Samuel 
Love, James Kennon, Elijah Rogers, Charles Taliaferro, Richard H. 
Taliaferro, Robert Sneed and William Bellew. This movement imparted 
new life into the great body of the church, filled the ministry with re- 
newed zeal, and considerably increased the membership of the Baptist 
Church in the State, though one of the results was the secession of a few 
thousands of anti-Mission Baptists. One peculiar feature of Baptist 
evangelization, especially in early days, was this, that their efforts^vwere 
mainly expended in the country, as was also largely the case with the 
Methodists, while the Presbyterians, who insisted on an educated min- 
istry, and later the Episcopalians, were for the most part confined to the 
towns and cities. The result of this division is even yet visible in certain 
portions of the State. 

In 1847 the Baptists in East Tennessee numbered 19,963, of whom 
6,573 were anti-Mission. In 1858 the Regular Baptists had increased to 
19,103, the anti-Mission portion remaining at about the same numbers as 
above given, while in 1880 the Regular Baptists amounted to 45,000 
white and 2,000 colored, and the anti-Mission Baptists to 5,000, in all a 
trifle over 52,000. 

In Middle Tennessee some years after the division into Regular and 
Separate Baptists, as the result of Elder Ross' preaching, the doctrines 
of the reformation reached this part of the country, and produced a 
profound sensation among all classes of the people. Campbellism and 
anti-Campbellism were endlessly and bitterly discussed. Quite a num- 
ber of Baptist preachers embraced Campbellism, and in some instances, 
where the preacher was of a superior order, almost the entire congrega- 
tion went over with him. This was the case with the First Baptist 
Church at Nashville, which had grown up to be a large and flourishing 
community, having a membership of over 300. Their pastor was the 
Rev. Phillip S. Fall, who was young and talented. All of the members 
except about twelve or fifteen went over with their pastor to the reforma- 
tion. The feature of the new doctrine which had most influence with the 
people was that of "baptism for the remission of sins." On all occasions 
the reformers promised forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy 
Spirit to all those who would make the "good confession" — that Jesus 
Christ is the Son of God, promise to obey the gospel and submit to 
immersion. The terms seemed so easy that many accepted them and 
were baptized, while others, fearing that there might be some mistake, 
hesitated until they should be able to show forth "works meet for repent- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 69S 

ance." The controversy over the doctrine of the reformation was ex- 
ceedingly bitter for a number of years : and when the smoke of the battle 
had cleared away, a new denomination was added to those which some 
erroneously thought too numerous already, but the Bethel Baptist Asso- 
ciation retained its numbers, strength and prestige at the end of the 
strife, having over some sixty churches within her limits. 

The few Baptists who in Nashville adhered to the faith reorganized 
their church, and for a time had for their pastor Elder P. S. Gayle. In 
1833 Elder Gayle resigned, and the church hearing of a remarkable 
debate at Norfolk between Rev. E. B. C Howell, of Virginia, and an 
Episcopal minister, from which the Baptists of Nashville concluded that 
Dr. Howell was the man needed to combat the heresies of Campbellism, 
and extended to him a call to the pastorate, Avhich he accepted in 1834. 
Dr. Howell labored with such ability, enthusiasm and success that within 
a few years the Baptists in Nashville had regained their lost ground, had 
built the fine church building on Summer Street between Cedar and 
Union, and had a membership of over 500. 

After the East Tennessee Baptists had withdrawn from the State 
Convention, as above recorded, those of Middle Tennessee likewise with- 
drew and formed an independent organization, which they named the 
General Association of Middle Tennessee. Northern Alabama was after- 
ward added to the association, In addition to its evangelical work, this 
Genera] Association, aided by each of the other divisions of the State, 
established Union University at Murfreesboro, which, after a somewhat 
brief career, was finally suspended in 1873 by a general convention, 
which established the Southwestern Baptist University at Jackson. In 
Middle Tennessee the Baptists have the Mary Sharpe Female College at 
Winchester. 

West Tennessee was not favored with Baptist influences until about 
the time of the revival in 1833. Since then they have made substantial 
progress. Some of their early pioneer ministers were the following: Jerry 
Burns, Thomas Owen, P. S. Gayle, C. C. Conner, N. G. Smith, — Collins, 
George N. Young, J. M. Hart and David Haliburton. West Tennessee 
Convention was formed in 1835. By this convention Brownsville 
Female College was established. In 1876 Middle and West Tennes- 
see dissolved their separate organizations, and with a few churches in East 
Tennessee, again formed a State Convention. At the end of 100 years' 
labor of the Baptists in Tennessee, the numbers in the three great divis- 
ions of the State were as follows: East Tennessee, 19 associations and 
45,000 members; Middle Tennessee, 10 associations and 22,000 members; 
West Tennessee, 7 associations and 20,000 members. Besides these, 



CDJ: HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

there were in the State about 8,000 anti-Mission Baptists and 20,000 col- 
ored Baptists, making a grand total of 115,000 members of Baptist 
Churches in Tennessee. 

The General Association of East Tennessee which covered the ground 
in the Tennessee Valley, met at Island Home Church, Knox County, 
October 8, 1885. After full discussion it was resolved to discontinue 
the organization and to connect themselves with the State Convention ; 
and thus the Baptists of Tennessee became united in their denominational 
work. The following statistics are giving from the Baptist Year Book 
for 1886: The entire number of white Baptist associations was 40, and 
of colored 9 ; there were 725 white ordained ministers, and 170 colored ; 
17,068 white Sunday-school scholars, 2,473 colored; 86,455 white church 
members, and 29,088 colored, and the value of the property belonging to 
white churches was $686,860, and of that belonging to colored churches 
$35,000; though of the latter, the value was reported from only two asso- 
ciations : Elk Eiver and Stone River. Besides the institutions of learning 
incidentally mentioned above, there are in Tennessee, belonging to the 
Baptist denomination, the Western Female College at Bristol, Doyle Col- 
lege at Doyle Station, and Boger Williams University at Nashville. 

It is a remarkable fact, that the Episcopal Church* was considerably 
later in finding its way into Tennessee than the Presbyterian, Methodist 
or Baptist. Its numbers were not 'swelled by converts from the great 
revival, for that occurred in the first years of the century, from 1800 to 
1812 or 1813, while the first congregation of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in Tennessee was organized at Franklin, AVilliamson County, 
August 25, 1827, by the Piev. James H. Otey. A brief resume of the 
reasons for this late appearance of this denomination in this State is in 
reality a part of its history, and v/ill doubtless be expected by all the 
readers of this work. The colonists from England were very generally 
those individuals who desired to escape from the intolerance of the Church 
of England. New England was settled by the Puritans, New York mainly 
by the Dutch, Pennsylvania by the Quakers, and Maryland principally 
by the Roman Catholics. The preponderating influences among the set- 
tlers of Virginia and the Carolinas were against the Church of England; 
but the great obstacle with which the Episcopal Church in America had 
to contend was that it had no bishop, no head, no leader, no adminis- 
trator. Children and adults could be baptized at the hands of the clergy, 
but no one could have confirmation or the "laying on of hands." Can- 
didates for the ministry were obliged to undergo the hardships and dan- 

♦Adapted largely from a manuscript history by Rev. W. C. Gray, read before the Tennessee Historical 
Society, November 11, 18S4. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. . 695 

gers of a long ocean voyage, in order to be ordained in England, and in 
some instances these candidates did not return. In addition to tliis many of 
the clergy of the Church of England, residents in this country after the 
Revolution, either from too little patriotism or too much Erastianism, or 
other cause, refused to remain in America and returned to England. This 
action on their part caused the transfer to the remnants of their deserted 
churches the bitter hatred which was then so bounteously being showered 
on the mother country. All these unfortunate circumstances led to great 
laxity of discipline; many unworthy and some who had been deposed 
continued in this country to exercise their ministerial functions and their 
evil course of life with impunity; he?ice the growth of the church was 
necessarily slow. 

While the Episcopal Church was in such an imperfect condition in 
America, Methodism, which as yet however had not separated from the 
Church of England, was making a profound impression in both countries, 
and was drawing multitudes of members out of the church into the new 
enthusiasm, and preparing the way for the separation which some think 
came all too soon. But in 1784 the first bishop was consecrated for the 
American States, and in 1787 two others. 

The Eev. James H. Otey, who organized the first Episcopal congrega- 
tion in Tennessee, was a Virginian by birth, and was educated at Chapel 
Hill, N. C. He received deacon's orders October 10, 1825, and the 
office of priest June 7, 1827, at the hands of Bishop Ravenscroft. He 
was at Franklin, Tenn, which place is now looked back to as the birth- 
place and cradle of a diocese now rejoicing in its strength. The Rev. 
Mr. Otey organized his congregation in the Masonic Hall in Franklin, 
and he preached in Columbia, where he also organized a church. Still 
later he held occasional services in Nashville. Besides Mr. Otey there 
was then but one clergyman in the State, the Rev. John Davis, who had 
been sent by some Northern missionary society. In 1829 there were two 
additional clergymen in the State. The first convention of the church 
was held in Masonic Hall, in Nashville, July 1 of that year. The Rt. 
Rev. John Stark Ravenscroft, D. D., bishop of North Carolina, was pres- 
ent, in spite of failing health and rough roa^s, to preside and to aid in 
framing a constitution and canons for the church in Tennessee. On that 
day was formed the Diocese of Tennessee. Besides the presiding officer 
there were present at this convention the Rev. James H. Otey, of St. 
Paul's Church, Franklin; the Rev. Daniel Stephens, of St. Peter's 
Church, Columbia, and the Rev. John Davis, deacon and missionary. 
Christ Church, Nashville, was represented in this convention by the fol- 
lowing laymen : Thomas Claiborne, George Wilson and Francis B. Fogg ; 



696 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

St. Peter's Cliurch, Columbia, by James H. Piper; St. John's, Knoxville^ 
by G. M. Fogg, and St. Paul's, Franklin, by Thomas Maney, P. N. Smith, 
B. S. Tappan and William Hardeman. In the report of the committee 
on the state of the church is found the following: "From what has been 
effected within a few years past by the exertions of a few who have stepped 
forward and, under the most discouraging circumstances, lent their 
aid to advance the interests of religion and virtue among us, we may 
form the most pleasing anticipations of future success. A few years 
since the Episcopal Church was hardly known in this State ; her spirit- 
stirring liturgy was unheard within our borders. Now three altars have 
arisen, and it is cheering to know they are crowded by pious and devoted 
worshippers of the Most High God." At the time of this convention, so 
far as was known, there were not fifty communicants in the State. 

In 1830 the Church in Tennessee was visited by Bishop Meade, of 
Virginia, and in that year was held its first diocesan convention. In 
1831 Bishop Ives visited the State and presided over the convention 
held in Christ Church, Nashville, June 28. In 1833 there were in the 
diocese besides Mr. Otey, five presbyters and one deacon. The necessity 
of a bishop was sorely felt, and a convention was held in Franklin, 
on the 27th of June, for the purpose of electing one. The clerical 
votes fell with great unanimity upon the Rev. James H. Otey for bishop, 
there being but two votes against him, his own and that of the Rev. 
George Weller, they being cast for the Rev. William Green, of North 
Carolina. The nomination was unanimously confirmed by the laity. 
Mr. Otey's testimonials were signed by the following clergy and laity: 
Revs. Daniel Stevens, George Weller, Albert A Muller, John Chilton 
and Samuel G. Litton, and by Messrs. John C. Wormley, George C. 
Skipwith, William G. Dickinson, B. S. Tappan, Thomas Maney, Mat- 
thew Watson, G. M. Fogg, F. B. Fogg and John Anderson. Several 
new parishes were received into union at this time, and the committee on 
the state of the church made an encouraging report. The Rev. Mr. 
Otey was consecrated bishop, at Philadelphia, January 14, 1834. Upon 
his return to his diocese he immediately set about devising plans for its 
more general good. "In his frequent and fatiguing rides through his 
own and adjacent dioceses he witnessed such an amount of ignorance and 
prejudice, and such mistaken views of religion, as often to make him 
groan in spirit. Preaching, preaching, preaching, was all that even 
the better part of the people seemed to care for. Worship, or prayer, 
was hardly a secondary consideration ; and the ordinances of the church 
were regarded as little better than signs of church membership, or 
cloaks, in too many cases, to cover up an immoral life. Each sect gloried 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 697 

in its peculiar " sliibboleth ;" the brief and undigested lessons of tlie 
Sunday-school constituted the chief, if not the sole, religious instruction 
of the young; and with few exceptions even the more intelligent seemed 
to have lost sight of the Church of Christ as a Divine institution, de- 
manding an unquestioning reception of its creeds and ordinances."* "To 
such men (as Bishop Otey) are we indebted for the civil and religious 
liberty which we now enjoy. To him his church is largely indebted for 
the prosperity which has marked its progress within the diocese over 
which he was called to preside, and he has bequeathed as a rich legacy 
to the entire church his spotless name and fame.""!- 

The ignorance of the people of Tennessee with regard to the rites of 
the Episcopal Church is amusingly illustrated by an incident of his early 
ministry. One of the rude sons of the forest once said to one of his com- 
panions, " Come, let us go and hear that man preach, and his wife jaw 
back at him ;" alluding to the responses made by Mrs. Otey, she beino- 
oftentimes the only respondent in the congregation. The clergy of the 
diocese in the year of the Bishop's consecration numbered 6 priests and 
3 deacons, the number of the churches in the entire State had grown to 
12, and the aggregate of actual communicants was 117. From this on, 
although there were numerous obstacles in the church, its growth though 
slow was steady. The ignorance of the people, and their prejudice 
against it, were very great. In order to remove the ignorance Bishop 
Otey's earliest efforts were devoted to the establishment of institutions 
of learning, based upon the principle of furnishing a Christian educa- 
tion to their students. He opened in his own house in Columbia a school 
for boys, which he named " Mercer Hall," and he, assisted by Bishop 
Polk, A. O. Harris and Francis B. Fogg, founded Columbia Female In- 
stitute in 1836. At the same time he had in contemplation the project 
of founding a University for the Southern States. This was undertaken 
in 1836, but was not consummated until July 1, 1857, when the " Uni- 
versity of the South" was formally organized, though the name vv^as not 
fully adopted until the next year. This organization was effected on the 
summit of Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, there being present at 
the meeting the Bishops of Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, 
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, together with some of the leading 
clergymen of all the Southern dioceses. A board of trustees was ap- 
pointed and Bishop Otey elected president. 

The following incident, which created great excitement, selected from 
numerous others that might be given with profit, did space permit, to throw 

♦Memoir of Bishop Otev, br Rt. Rev. William Mercer Green, D. T>. 
fRandall M. Ewiug. 



698 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

light upon the history of this church, is here introduced, copied from the 
"Memoirs," by Bishop Mercer: "On the 8th of August, 1857, the Bishop 
was called to consecrate a new church at Riverside, in the Eastern part of 
his diocese, built by Col. N. and the relatives of his wife. This was at a. 
time when what is now generally known as "Ritualism" had gained con- 
siderable footing in some of the larger and more advanced Eastern cities, 
but had yet to plant its first footstep among the mountains and valleys 
of Tennessee. On arriving at the church, accompanied by Bishop Polk, 
he beheld a cross on every gate, three crosses on the roof and one on the 
belfry. On entering the church he found the font at the south door, and 
on the altar and superaltar a large movable cross, two vases for flowers, 
and two very large candlesticks, and five other crosses, with multiform 
devices upon them. This was rather too much for the uninstructed taste 
of the Bishop. He had not been initiated among the more 'advanced' 
of his brethren. He was too old-fashioned to admire or even tolerate 
such novelties; therefore, at his command, these insignia were all re- 
moved before he would proceed to the consecration. Great offense was 
taken by the worthy family that erected the church, and no regular serv- 
ices were ever after held in it. It was permitted to fall to decay, and no 
vestige remains to mark the occasion but the site itself, one of the loveli- 
est that could possibly be chosen for a house of God." 

Ten years after the consecration of Bishop Otey there were, besides 
himself, thirteen resident clergymen in Tennessee, and the number of 
communicants had grown from 117 to about 400. A noticeable feature 
in the proportionate growth is the increase in the city parishes above 
that in the country, Christ Church, Nashville, and Calvary Church, 
Memphis, far outstripping the others in numbers, importance and influ- 
ence. At the end of another decade there were seventeen clergymen, be- 
sides the Bishop, and seventeen parishes, besides the mission stations, 
and the entire number of communicants was estimated at 800. Quite a 
number of substantial church edifices had been erected in various parts 
of the State, a few of them being of stone, as in Nashville and Clarks- 
ville, and some of wood, but the most of brick. In 18 GO, the last year 
for which there is a Journal of Convention for Bishop Otey's time, the 
number of clergy was twenty-seven; the number of organized parishes, 
twenty-six, and the number of communicants, 1,506. For the next five 
years the great civil war not only effectually checked the growth of the 
church, but almost destroyed what had been accomplished with such 
great labor. The attitude of the Episcopal Church was generally the 
same as that of Bishop Otey, with respect to the war. He was strenu- 
ously opposed to both war and disunion, if both could be avoided con- 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 699 

sistently with the honor and safety of the South; but when he saw that 
war was inevitable, he nerved himself for the contest, and for final advice 
and counsel to his flock; but the shock was too great for his once power- 
ful, but now enfeebled system, and no doubt shortened his life. He died 
on April 23, 1S63, having directed that the marble which might cover 
his remains should bear no other inscription than his name, the dates of 
his birth and death, and "The First Bishop of the Catholic Church in 
Tennessee." 

The return of peace found the Episcopal Church in Tennessee with- 
out a bishop. A call was promptly issued for a convention to assemble 
in Christ's Church, Nashville, to consider the question of electing a suc- 
cessor to Bishop Otey. Quite a full representative convention assembled 
on September 8, 1865, when it was found that the Rev. Dr. Quintard was 
almost unanimously the choice of the convention. Since his election the 
progress of the church has continued to be steady though slow. In 
1884 there were thirty-six white parishes, forty mission stations, and 
about 4,000 communicants. The charitable institutions of the diocese 
are numerous and creditable. There is the Orphan's Home at Knoxville, 
a similar institution at Memphis, where also is St. Mary's School, for 
girls; St. James Hall is at Bolivar, Fairmount, near Mount Eagle, and 
there is a fine school at Cleveland; there is a male school at Cleveland, 
one at Knoxville, one in Chattanooga, one at Mount Pleasant, one at 
South Pittsburg, but above all is the University of the South. 

Closely identified with the history of the church and education in 
Tennessee is the history of the University of the South at Sewanee, 
Tenn, To Bishop Otey is due the honor of the first conception of the 
university. In 1836, in an address to his convention, he urged the ne- 
cessity of an institution maintaining the highest degree of scholarship, 
and sought the co-operation of adjoining dioceses in founding a great 
university. He was warmly seconded in his efforts by Rev. Leonidas 
Polk, then a minister at Columbia, who, subsequently becoming Bishop 
of Louisidina, took a prominent part in the organization of the University 
of the South. In 1860 an endowment of over $500,000 and a domain of 
10,000 acres having been secured, the corner-stone of University Hall 
was laid with great ceremony. In the war, the endowment was lost, and 
the corner-stone, a massive block of native marble, was broken in frag- 
ments and carried away as relics by the • Union soldiers. Misfortune 
proves institutions as truly as it does men. Under the energetic leader- 
ship of Bishop Quintard the university began life anew in 1868, with its 
bare domain and its admirable organization as its only inheritance. Its 
beginning was an humble one ; but maintaining from the first a high stand- 



700 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

ard of education, it has steadily advanced, till now with 300 students, sub- 
stantial buildings, and a high reputation at home and abroad, it can see 
that these past trials have develoj^ed strength and proved the wisdom of 
its scheme of education. The university is to-day organized substantially 
according to the original plan, which was formulated after a careful study 
of the leading colleges of Eui'ope and America. A plan which has thus 
-stood the test of adversity is worthy of consideration. Among the 
causes of success are first, the concentration of the means and patronage 
of a large section in one institution; second, the maintenance of the 
highest scholarship (the requirements for degrees here are as severe 
as at Yale or Harvard) ; third, the elevation and location, free from 
malaria, pulmonary trouble and catarrh; fourth, it keeps a home in- 
fluence over the students by boarding them in private families; fifth, 
it controls a domain several miles in extent, prohibiting the sale of liq- 
uors, gambling and other evils incident to university towns (it is father 
of the four-mile law in Tennessee) ; sixth, it is not a sectional but a 
general institution, having more students from the North than any other 
school in the South. It is not narrow or bigoted, but teaches a Catholic 
Christianity as the basis of morality, and religion and science going hand 
in hand in all completeness of investigation. The vice-chancellor, Kev. 
Telfair Hodgson, D. D., is executive head of the institution. Elected to 
that responsible position in 1879, he has shown rare administrative pow- 
ers, and much of the material prosperity of the university is due to his 
wise management. 

Reference has been made in connection with the account of the great 
revival to the Rev. Barton "W. Stone. He was probably the first in Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee to preach the creed which subsequently constitu- 
ted the doctrines of the reformed or Campbellite Church, as it was 
called in earlier days, but to which, in more recent times, the name of 
'the Disciples of Christ or Christian Church has been applied. As a 
result of the labors of the Rev. Barton W. Stone a numerous body had 
originated in Kentucky and extended somewhat into Tennessee, separat- 
ing themselves from the Presbyterian communion, having for their 
object a union of Christians upon the Bible alone. 

But the movement which gave immediate origin and distinctive char- 
acter to the church of the Disciples was started in Pennsylvania, in 1809, 
by Thomas Campbell aided by his son Alexander. Their original pur- 
pose was to heal the divisions in the religious world, and to establish a 
common basis of Christian union. This, it was thought, could be accom- 
plished by taking the expressed teachings of the Bible as the only guide. 
After some time a considerable society was formed; and, curiously 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 701 

enough, as in the case of the Eev. Barton W. Stone, from the Presbyte- 
rian Church. This society, by the evolution of thought upon Bible 
teaching, became one of immersed believers, and soon afterward united 
with the Bed Stone Baptist Association, upon the stipulation that no 
standard of doctrine or bond of union should be required other than the 
Holy Scriptures. After some time another doctrine was discovered in 
the Scriptures, viz.: "Baptism for the remission of sins," which became 
a distinctive feature of the reformation. 

Controversy upon these doctrines increased in the Baptist Church, 
with which Alexander Campbell was then associated from 1813, when he 
united with the Bed Stone Association in 1827, when he began to form 
separate church organizations, entertaining his own peculiar views. In 
order to properly present his view of the doctrine of baptism for the 
remission of sins, the following extract from his "Christianity Bestored," 
published in 1823, is introduced: "If then the present forgiveness of 
sins be a privilege and a right of those under the new constitution in the 
kingdom of Jesus, and if being 'born again,' and being 'born of the 
water and the spirit,' is necessary to admission, and if being born of 
water means immersion, as is clearly proved by all witnesses, then remis- 
sion of sins in this life cannot be received or enjoyed previous to bap- 
tism. * * The remission of sins or coming into a state of 
acceptance being one of the present immunities of the kingdom, cannot 
be received or enjoyed by any one previous to baptism." 

Very soon after churches began to be formed on this and the other 
doctrines of Mr. Campbell, which embraced most of those held by the 
Evangelical Churches; new organizations soon sprang into existence in 
Tennessee, embracing the new doctrines, and here and there a Baptist 
Church went over in a body to the new faith. One of the first of these 
latter was the Baptist Church at Nashville, Tenn. Of this church, in 
May, 1826, Bev. Philip S. Fall had become pastor, and it soon became 
etident that he sympathized with the doctrines taught by Alexander 
Campbell. The church |ound themselves in hopeless controversy. The 
Mill Creek Church, as the senior church of this section, was requested to 
take action in the matter, but the Nashville Church declined to appear 
before its bar. The latter church then adopted the ordinance of weekly 
communions. The minority, powerless in the matter, withdrew, and met 
for worship October 10, 1830, in the court house. In January, 1828, the 
Nashville Church adopted the full form of the Disciples' worship, and in 
May repealed the entire Baptist creed. The church at this time num- 
bered about 450 members. In 1831 the "Stonites" in Kentucky and 
otlier Western States united with the Disciples and a strong sect or 



702 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE, 

denomination was added to the number wliich the Campbells thought; 
altogether too numerous when they commenced their reformation. 

A movement somewhat independent in its nature, made a few years 
later than this of the Rev. Philip S. Fall, deserves careful mention. It 
was that of Elders John Calvin Smith and Jonathan H. Young. They 
had both been immersed by Elder Isaac Denton and had united with the 
Clear Fork Baptist Church, Cumberland County, Ky., in 1821. In Sep- 
tember, 1822, Young and his wife transferred their membership to Wolf 
River Church, in Overton County, Tenn. In a few years they received 
letters from this church to a "church of the same faith and order" in 
East Tennessee, continuing there until 1829, when they moved back to 
the Wolf River Church, of which John Calvin Smith had in the mean- 
time become pastor, as also of Sinking Spring Church, Fentress County, 
Tenn. After the reading of the letter for membership in the Wolf River 
Church, Young asked permission to explain his position relative to the 
first article of the "Abstracts • of Principles." After he had stated his 
objections thereto and closed a short argument in their favor Smith also 
expressed his doubts as to the propriety of the first article, and then 
proposed that a vote be taken on the reception or rejection of Young and 
his wife into the church. They were unanimously received into fellow- 
ship, notwithstanding their objections to the creed. The preaching of 
Smith and Young became a wider and wider departure from the Baptist 
creed, and they were advised by their brethren to be more cautious, or 
they would run into Campbellism. A very prominent Baptist preacher 
said to Smith, "You will take a little and a little until finally you will 
'swallow a camel.'" 

Young was informed that he must account to the church for preaching 
the doctrines which he did, to which he replied that he was received into 
Wolf River Church with the definite understanding that he was opposed 
to the use of human creeds and confessions of faith in the church of 
Christ. He preached an able discourse at Sulphur Meeting-house, in 
Cumberland County, Ky., setting forth fully his sentiments on the dis- 
puted premises. The Wolf River Church was investigated by a commis- 
sion appointed for the purpose and after able discussions of the question, 
lasting from July to September, 1831, Young, seeing that he must, if he 
remained in the Baptist Church, accept the first article, and consequently 
the whole of the Philadelphia Confession of Faith, proposed that all who 
were willing to accept the Bible alone, as the only authoritative rule of 
faith and practice, should rise and stand with him. Seven or eight arose 
to their feet and stood with Young, and the church proceeded immedi- 
ately to cut them ofP for improper treatment of her order. Elder John. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 703 

C. Smith was also on the same or similar ^rounds excluded from mem- 

* . . . 

bership in the Baptist Church. Smith, Young and the others who were 

cut off, with a few brethren living in the neighborhood, formed them- 
selves into a church which became largely influential. 

The formation of other Christian Churches in Tennessee followed 
with great rapidity during the two decades from 1830 to 1850. Follow- 
ing is a partial list of these churches, with the dates of their organiza- 
tion, so far as could be ascertained, and the counties in which they were 
located: Two of these churches were organized as early as 1816, though 
probably as Baptist Churches. The church at Bethlehem, and at Wil- 
son's Hill, Globe Creek, Marshall County, in 1823, Liberty Church, 
Marshall County, separated from the Richland Association of United 
Baptists for communing with Christians and assisting to set apart a dea- 
con in that church. At that time it had 126 members; in 1846 it had 
450. In 1825 Roane Creek Church, in Carroll County, was organized^ 
and in 1828 Berea Church, in Marshall County, was organized; in 1831 
Smyrna Church, Cedar Creek, in Marshall County, and New Herman 
Church, in Bedford County; in June, 1832, the church at Rutland's 
Meeting-house, in Wilson County, separated from the Baptists by laying 
aside their abstract principles and agreeing to be governed by the Bible 
alone, and the church at Tally's old field was organized this year; in 
1833 the church at Paris, Henry County, was organized, and in 1844 
they built a very neat church edifice; March 30, 1834, Sylvan Church, 
Sumner County, was organized with nine members; in 1844, it had 115; 
the church at Brawley's Fork, Cannon County, and that at South Har- 
peth, Davidson County, were organized this year; in 1835 Rock Springs 
Church, Rutherford County, and Sycamore Church, Davidson County, 
were organized, the former having, in 1844, 130 members; in'1836, Leb- 
anon Church was organized with nineteen members, and reorganized in 
1842; the church at Bagdad, Smith County, was organized in 1835; in 
1838, Lewisburgh Church, in Marshall County, and in 1839 Big Spring 
Church, in Wilson County, were organized ; in 1840 Trace Creek Church, 
Jackson County, and that at Long's Meeting-house, Marshall County, 
and in 1841 a church at Blackburn's Fork, and at Caue Creek, Lincoln 
County, and the Torny Fork Church, Marshall County, were also organ- 
ized; in 1842 Hartsville Church, in Sumner County, Salt Lick Church, 
in Jackson County, and the church at Meigsville, on the Big Bottom, 
were organized; in 1843 the church' at Teal's Meeting-house, Jackson 
County, Pleasant Hill Church, Buckeye Church, Flynn's Creek, Union 
Church, Richland Creek, Marshall County, and the Cave Creek Church, 
Marshall County, were organized, and that at Murfreesboro reorganized 



704 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

in 1844; the church at Rich Meeting-house was organized, and there 
were in existence, date of organization not known, the following: 3 in 
Washington County, with 304 members; 4 in Carter County, with 301 
members; 2 in Johnson County, with 124 members, and 2 in Sullivan 
County with 252 members; in Rutherford County, besides Rock Springs 
Church, the date of the organization of which has been given above, there 
were the Spring Creek Church with 40 members. Cripple Creek Church 
with 130 members, and Big Creek Church with 60 members ; in Warren 
County Hickory Creek and Rockey River Churches; in Wilson County 
Liberty Church, on Stone River, besides small congregations at Cypress 
Creek, Blue Water and Bluff Creek; in Livingston County there were 8 
churches with 970 members; in McMinn County 4 churches with 150 
members. 

From 1845 to 1850 churches of this denomination continued to be 
organized at about the same rate, since which time their numbers do not 
seem to have increased so rapidly. In 1872 there were in the United 
States 500,000 Disciples or Christians, of which number Tennessee could 
not have had over 15,000. Since then, this sect has grown and pros- 
pered, especially in the Southern and Western States, but recent statis- 
tics, as applicable to Tennessee, are not easily obtainable. For about 
thirty years the Christians had a flourishing college of high grade five 
miles east of Nashville in Davidson County, named Franklin College, 
which has now ceased to exist, most of the advanced students of the 
denomination finding Bethany College, in West Virginia, better prepared 
to meet their wants. Since 1844 a valuable periodical has been published 
at Nashville under the different names of The Christian Review, Chris- 
tian Magazine and Gospel Advocate, the latter name having been in use 
since 1855. 

On May 10, 1821, Rt. Rev. Bishop David, accompanied by Rev. Father 
Robert Abell, arrived in Nashville, and was received by M. De Munbreun, 
who entertained them at his house. The following day the first mass 
offered in Tennessee was said. Previous to this time but four mission- 
ary visits had been made to the State since the early French settle- 
ments, and the number of Catholics in the State did not much exceed 
100. Tennessee then formed a part of the diocese of Bardstown, Ky., 
which also included Kentucky and an extensive territory to the west, and 
which had constituted the bishopric of Rt. Rev. Bishop Flaget. During 
the visit of Bishop David a proposition to establish a congregation in 
Nashville was made, and met with hearty approval from both Catholics 
and Protestants. Rev. Father Abell, who accompanied the bishop, 
preached every evening during his stay in the city, and a wide-spread 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 705 

incerest was aroused. It was not, however, until 1830 that a church was 
erected on the north side of what now constitutes the Capitol grounds. 
Father Abell proceeded to Franklin, where there was one Catholic family 
and where he held services. He also went to Columbia and delivered a 
wermon at that place. 

In 1834 the diocese was reduced to Kentucky and Tennessee, and in 
1837 the latter was made a separate diocese, known as the diocese of 
Nashville, of which the Kt. Eev. Dr. Richard Pius Miles was conse- 
crated bishop September 18, 1838. He was a native American and de- 
scendant of a Maryland family. Congregations had already been organ- 
ized at several points in the State, and mission work was pushed forward 
with the energy and zeal characteristic of the Catholic Church. In 1859 
the work, having considerably increased, became too arduous for the fail- 
ing strength of Bishop Miles, and in May of that year Et. Rev. Bishop 
James Whelan was appointed his coadjutor, with right of succession. On 
the death of Bishop Miles, which occurred February 1, 1860, he entered 
upon his duties, and remained until his resignation in 18G3. He was 
succeeded as administrator of the diocese by the Rev. Father Kelly, a 
Dominican priest, who remained until November, 1865. He was then 
relieved by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Patrick A. Feehan, of St. Louis, who 
was consecrated in that city on the first day of that month. He contin- 
ued in charge of the diocese until June, 1883, when he was succeeded by 
the Rt. Rev. Joseph Rademacher. While the Catholic Church in Ten- 
nessee does not embrace so large a membership in proportion to popula- 
tion as many other States, it is due rather to the small foreign element 
than a lack of prosperity or wise management. The Catholic popula- 
tion of the State at the present time is estimated by the bishop of the 
diocese at from 20,000 to 25,000, of which about 8,000 are residents of 
Nashville, and 10,000 or 12,000 of Memphis. The number in the latter city 
was greatly reduced by the yellow fever epidemic of 1878-79. Chatta- 
nooga and Knoxville also have large congregations. The whole number 
of churches in the diocese in 1886 was thirty. 

The church supports a large number of excellent schools and acade- 
mies, and one college. One of the best known institutions for young 
ladies is the Academy of St. Cecilia, at Nashville. This school was es- 
tablished in 1860 by six ladies from St. Mary's Literary Institute, Perry 
County, Ohio, and has long enjoyed a high reputation for the excellence 
of its management. The Christian Brothers College, of Memphis, was 
chartered in 1854 It has an attendance of about 200 pupils, and is pre- 
sided over by Brother Maurelian. 

The Lutherans are among the oldest denominations in Tennessee, 



706 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.- 

congregations of whom were organized as early as 1800. The first Lu- 
theran church in Middle Tennessee was established about 1825 by Eev. 
William Jenkins. It was located near Shelbyville, on Duck Eiver, and 
was known as the " Shaffner Church." The growth of the denomination 
in the State has been somewhat slow, owino^ to the small foreis'n immicfra- 
tion. The number of ministers, too, has never equaled the demand, con- 
sequently many Lutherans have united with other denominations. In 
1850 there were twelve organizations in the State; in 1860 eighteen, 
and 1870 twenty -two. The membership at the present time is about 
9,000, of which much the larger part is in East Tennessee. It is di- 
vided among three district synods, as follows: Middle Tennessee Synod, 
a district of the General Synod, numbering 910 members; Holston Sy- 
nod, with a membership of 1,566, and forming a district under the Gen- 
eral Council, and the Tennessee Synod (independent), with a member- 
ship of 8,185. Only a portion of the last named is included in the State 
of Tennessee. The Holston Synod supports a very excellent college at 
Mosheim, in Greene County. It was first organized in 1869, and after a 
suspension of several years was reopened in 1884. 

The oldest Jewish congregation in Tennessee is the "Children of 
Israel," organized in Memphis in 1852. In October, 1851, a benevolent 
society was organized in Nashville, at the house of Isaac Gershon, with 
Henry Harris as president. A room was rented for a synagogue on 
North Market Street, near the Louisville depot, and divine worship was 
held, the president officiating as reader. Two years later the first rabbi, 
Alexander Iser, was engaged, and soon after the first Hebrew congrega- 
tion in Nashville was formed under the name of Magen David, "Shield 
of David." The next year, 1854, the organization was chartered by the 
Legislature. 

In 1862 the first reform congregation was organized under the name 
Benij Jioshren, with Eabbi Labshiner in charge. After an existence of 
about six years the two congregations united, in 1868, under the name of 
K. K. Ahavah Shoelem, "Lovers of Peace." Soon after the Eev. Dr. 
Isedor Kaleish was elected as rabbi. The congregation then, as they 
had done for several years, Avorshiped in Douglass Hall, on Market 
Street, at the corner of the public square. After three years Dr. Kaleish 
was succeeded by Dr. Alexander Eosenspitz, who remained in charge of 
the congregation about the same length of time as his predecessor. In 
1876 a lot on Vine Street, between Church and Broad, was purchased, 
and the erection of the present handsome temple was begun. It was 
completed the following year and dedicated by Dr. Eosenspitz. In 1878 
Dr. Eosenspitz was succeeded by Dr. J. S. Goldamer, a native of Vienna, 



HISTOKY or TENNESSEE. 707 

and a graduate of tlie university of that city; also a graduate in philos- 
ophy and Jewish theology at the Rabbinical College, at Preszburg. He 
is eminent as a Hebrew scholar, and previous to his coming to Nashville 
was in charge of a congregation in Cincinnati for twelve years. He suc- 
ceeded in introducing the American ritual and mode of worship in the 
place of th© old Polish form, in conformity with the free institutions of 
this country and the progressive spirit of the age. A choir was also or- 
ganized. It is recognized as one of the best in the city, and renders in 
an excellent manner the Jewish sacred music. 

The adoption of the new ritual was displeasing to a small portion of 
the congregation, who under the name of K. K. Adath Israel formed a 
new society by electing I. B. Cohen, president, and L. Rosenheim, vice- 
president. The organization remains much the same at the present time, 
and continues to worship according to the orthodos mode. In 1885, at 
a cost of $12,000, a chapel and vault was erected, which is considered the 
finest structure of the kind in the United States. 

In 1864 a congregation was organized at Knoxville under the name 
of Beth El, or "House of God." The membership has. never been very 
large, and now embraces about twelve families, with E. Samuel as presi- 
dent and E. Heart as secretary. 

A congregation was organized at Chattanooga in 1867, and now num- 
bers about twenty-seven familes, under the care of Rabbi Julius Ochs. 
Dr. M. Bloch is president of the society, and Joseph Simpson, secretary. 
The church property is valued at $5,000. At Murfreesboro a few years 
ago a congregation was organized with a membership of sixteen or sev- 
enteen families, but owing to the removal of a large number from the 
town, only three or four families remain, and the organization is not 
maintained. Columbia and several other towns have small organizations, 
but no rabbis are employed. Almost every town in the State has one or 
more Jewish families, nearly all of whom upon the most important days 
especially. New Year's day and the Day of Atonement, attend services in 
the larger cities, as Memphis, Nashville or Chattanooga. 

The Jewish Church throughout the State is in a very prosperous con- 
dition, and is pervaded with a spirit of liberalty and toleration in keeping 
with the age. The congregation at Nashville under the care of Rabbi 
Goldamer, during the past eight years has increased from fifty-four to 135 
families. The Sabbath-school children number 108. The annual expenses 
of the church are about $5,500. Its property is valued at $25,000. The 
president of the society is L. J. Loewenthal ; the secretary, M. Wertham. 
The congregation at Memphis numbers 110 families under the care of Dr. 
M. Samfield. Its property is valued at $40,000. Its annual expenses 



708 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

are $6,500. The Sabbath-school children number 120. The president 
of the congregation is E. Lowenstein; the secretary, Samuel Hirsch. 

Previous to the civil war there were but few separate or independent 
colored churches in Tennessee, the institution of slavery being inimical 
to such separate organizations. But there were many colored members 
of white churches, especially of the Methodists. Since the war the col- 
ored people have organized churches of their own all over the State, and 
at the present time a colored member of a white church, if ever, is a 
very rare occurrence. Most of the churches of this race belong to the 
Methodist or Baptist denominations, these denominations being usually 
more demonstrative and emotional in their devotion than others; still 
there are Colored Episcopal, Congregational and other churches. It is 
altogether probable that a larger proportion of the colored race than of 
the white race belong to their various churches, the intelligence of the 
former not being as yet sufficiently developed to permit them to rest easy 
outside the pale of the church. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Biography or Eminent Citizens— A Comprehensive Sketch of the Social 
AND Professional Character, the Domestic Relations and the Public 
Services of a Number of Distinguished Tennesseeans. 

THE family of John Sevier was of French origin, the name originally 
being Xavier. On account of their being Huguenots they were 
exiled from France and went to England. They arrived in that country 
about the beginning of the last century. Valentine Sevier, the father of 
John Sevier, was born in London, and some time previous to 1740, fol- 
lowing the tide of emigration westward, he crossed the Atlantic and set- 
tled in the Shenandoah Valley in the colony of Virginia. Here John 
Sevier was born in the year 1744, and here too his boyhood days were 
spent. His opportunities for literary attainments were very limited, but 
what were afforded were well improved. 

Under the auspices and patronage of Lord Dunmore, who was then 
governor of Virginia, young Sevier received a captain's commission in 
the King's troops. Once driven from home it was difficult for the family 
to find a new one that gave satisfaction. The glowing pictui-es of the 
West, with its beautiful valleys and picturesque scenery, led Valentine 
Sevier, the father, to again change his home. The Sevier family settled 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 709 

on the Holston in what is now Sullivan County, but Valentine above 
mentioned settled on the "Watauga, "the beautiful river." Here Valen- 
tine Sevier made a permanent settlement between Sycamore Shoals and 
Elizabethton, and here he lived to a green old age. The early settlers in 
this section thought they were settling within the territorial limits of 
Virginia, but soon found they were under the jurisdiction of North Car- 
olina. For a number of years these settlers had to contend alone against 
the Indians and other enemies of the new settlement. Doubtless this 
independent schooling had something to do in shaping the character of 
John Sevier. In 1772 the settlers held an election in this new colony 
and chose thirteen commissioners, whose duty it was to exercise the func- 
tions of government. Out of the thirteen chosen five were elected a 
court, " by whom all things were to be settled." The district of this 
settlement was called the District of Washington. John Sevier was 
chosen one of the thirteen commissioners and one of the five out of the 
thirteen for a court. While a member of this court and commissioner 
Sevier addressed a memorial to North Carolina urging her to extend her 
government over the Washington District. The appeal was successful, 
and in 1776 he was chosen a member of the Legislature of that State 
and assisted in forming the constitution for North Carolina. The terri- 
torial limits of the States had been better defined and instead of extend- 
ing to the South Sea the Mississippi River was recognized as the western 
boundary. In setting forth the boundaries of North Carolina it may be 
said the germ from which sprang Tennessee was planted. The lan- 
guage of the boundary of North Carolina, which says that the "boundary 
shall not be construed as to prevent the establishment of one or more 
governments westward of this State by consent of the Legislature," is the 
language of Sevier. On the outbreak of the Revolution Sevier threw all 
of his wonderful influence in favor of the infant Republic. His home 
was ever the rendezvous of the leading Whigs, and frequently was the 
place of meeting of the clans preparatory to a descent upon the British 
and Tories or the Indians. The history of his work in the Revolution- 
ary and in the Indian wars is given in the military chapter of this work. 
After the battle of King^s Mountain thirty of the Tory prisoners were 
condemned to death. It was decided to hang only twelve of them. Cols. 
Sevier and Campbell determined, after eleven had been hanged, to save 
the twelfth man. The officer in charge of the work was much more 
zealous in hanging unarmed men than he had been in fighting the armed 
British, and seemed determined on carrying out sentence on the last. 
Col. Sevier ordered the work stopped, saying he was sick of it, and said 
to the officer: "If you had been as industrious in killing soldiers this 



710 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

morning as you are this evening in hanging prisoners we would not 
have had so many to hang." 

After the close of the Revolutionary war the several States ceded 
their surplus territory to the General Government. By the cession act 
of June 1, 1784, North Carolina ceded the whole State of Tennessee, in- 
cluding four organized counties. These counties were left without any 
government, in fact, about in the same condition as they were previous 
to the Revolution. They elected two men from each captain's company 
to meet in convention at Jonesborough on August 23, 1784. Of this 
assembly John Sevier was chosen president. The cession act was re- 
pealed in November, and Col. Sevier was made a brigadier-general for 
North Carolina. A second convention was called, of which Sevier was 
again made president. A legislature was elected, and Col. Sevier was 
chosen governor of the new State called Franklin, a position which he 
held from 1784 to 1788, when Franklin again became subservient to 
North Carolina. Gov. Sevier announced the separation and independence 
of Franklin. Gov. Martin, of North Carolina, declared the nrountain- 
eers rebellious subjects; likewise did Gov. Caswell. Counter proclama- 
tions were issued by Sevier. Gov. Johnson directed Judge Campbell to 
issue a bench warrant ao;ainst Sevier for hi^h treason. The warrant was 
directed to Col. John Tipton, a North Carolina rival of Sevier, who ar- 
rested him. To prevent his rescue Sevier was taken across the moun- 
tains to Morganton, where court convened to try him for high treason. 
The friends of Sevier also went to Morganton, and entered the court 
room and attracted the attention of the court while the prisoner made 
liis escape. In 1789, with the indictment still against him, Sevier was 
sent to the Senate of North Carolina. After he was sworn in a motion 
was made to inquire into Sevier's conduct, but was lost by an overwhelm- 
ing majority. In March, 1790, he was elected to Congress and took his 
seat in that body in June, being the first representative from the Missis- 
sippi Yalley in that body. North Carolina again ceded her territory 
west of the mountains to Congress. President Washington ap}y)inted 
William Blount territorial governor, who in turn appointed John Sevier 
as brigadier -general of the territory. On the removal of the seat of the 
new territory to Knoxville, Sevier left Nollichucky and settled near Knox- 
ville, and after a time he moved into the city. He was one of the com- 
missioners with Blount in a great treaty with the Indians on the Holston 
River. On August 25, 1794, he was appointed a member of the Legis- 
lative Council of the territory, and in a few days he was made one of the 
trustees of Blount College, now East Tennessee University. He re- 
mained an active member of the trustees till his death. On September 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 711 

23, 1794, lie introduced a bill incorporating Knoxville, and in a short 
time assisted in the establishment of Washington College. 

In 1796 the territory southwest of the Ohio became the State of Ten- 
nessee. Writs of election were directed to the sheriffs, directing them 
to hold a general election on March 28, 179G, for the election of mem- 
bers of the General Assembly and governor. The choice for governor 
fell upon John Sevier. He was re-elected in 1797 and again in 1799. 
Being ineligible for a fourth term he was out two years, when he was 
again elected for three terms in succession. This brought him to the 
year 1811, when he was chosen a member of Congress from the Knox- 
ville District, and again elected in 1813. This was during the period of 
war with Great Britain. He rendered efficient service on the committee 
of military affairs during that period. In 1815 Mr. Monroe appointed 
him commissioner to run the boundary line of the lands ceded by the 
Creeks to the United States. He left his home in Knoxville in June, 
and in September was taken sick of miasmatic fever and died on the 21th 
of the month at the Indian town Tuckabatchie. He was buried by a 
detachment of United States soldiers under Capt. Walker, on the east 
bank of the Tallapoosa, near Fort Decatur, Ala. While he was away on 
official duty to find his grave, his constituents at home again elected him 
to a seat in Congress, but it is doubtful if he ever heard of his election. 
He is described as being five feet ten or eleven inches in height, with 
a most symmetrical well-knit frame, inclining in late years to fullness ; 
his ordinary weight about 140 or 150 pounds; his complexion ruddy, fair 
skin ; his eyes blue, expressive of vivacity, benignancy and fearlessness ; 
the nose not aquiline but prominent, with a mouth and chin of chiseled 
perfection. His form was erect and his walk rapid. He was exceedingly 
colloquial, urbane, convivial and of most commanding presence. His 
dress was always neat. He claimed to be the best equestrian in the 
country, and spent much of his time on horseback. It is said that his 
individuality was so great that a stranger would never have difficuH^f in 
pointing him out in an assembly upon being told that John Sevier was 
there. He was a military leader for nearly twenty years, and fought 
thirty-two pitched battles but was never defeated, even in a skirmish. 
His plan of battle was the impetuous charge, of which he was the leader. 
He it was that introduced the Indian war-whoop into civilized warfare, 
and which struck the British with such terror. He was in many des- 
perate hand-to-hand encounters, but was never wounded. During all 
his military service, except the last, he never received a cent. His house 
was the place of rendezvous for his men, and a general without commis- 
ision he enforced discipline. Men die without any public service and 



712 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 

have towering shafts of marble erected to their memory, yet John Sevier,, 
who founded a great State and gave it forty years of public service, died 
and not only no monument marks his grave, but even his burial place is 
unknown. 

Gen. James Robertson,* "the father of Tennessee," was born in 
Brunswick County, Va., on the 28th of June, 1742. "While he was yet 
a youth his parents moved to Wake County, N. C, where he grew to 
manhood and married Miss Charlotte Reeves. "When that event oc- 
curred he had already obtained the rudiments of an education, and as 
"Wake County at that time was the center of the intelligence and culture 
of the colony, he had laid the foundation of the broad and liberal char- 
acter for which he was ever distinguished. He had also become imbued 
with the spirit of liberty which was invading every American colony, and 
in 1770, to escape the oppression of the tyrant Tryon, he resolved to 
seek a home beyond the mountains. Accordingly in the spring of that 
year, with a small party, of whom^Daniel Boone is believed to have been 
the leader, he visited the few settlers who had already located on the 
Watauga, and being favorably impressed with the country decided to 
make his home among them. He returned to Wake County after having 
made a crop, and it is thought he participated in the battle of Alamance, 
May 16, 1771. Soon after that event, with his wife and child, he again 
set out on a journey over the mountains to the Watauga, which was 
reached in safety. Soon after his arrival it was determined to form some 
sort of government, and he took an active part in securing the adoption 
of a set of written articles of government, which all agreed to support. 
In the early part of 1776 he was one of the committee who drew the pe- 
tition for the annexation of Watauga to North Carolina. 

As an Indian diplomatist. Gen. Robertson had no superior and very 
few equals. In 1772 he was chosen to visit and pacify the Cherokees, 
who had been aroused by the murder of one of their number by a hunter. 
This he successfully accomplished, and by his courage, address and 
friendly manner won the regard of the chiefs, with whom he remained 
several days. Two years later, in October, he participated in a battle 
with the Indians on the banks of the Kanawha, whither a company under 
Col. Isaac Shelby had gone to aid the settlers in West Virginia, then in 
danger of destruction by the Shawanees and their allies. In July, 1777, 
the Cherokee^ having become troublesome. Gen. Robertson, co-operating- 
with a force from Virginia, invaded their country and compelled them to 
sue for peace. During the same year he was appointed temporary agent 

*So much has been written concerning Gen. Robertson that only a brief outline of his life is hete pre- 
sented. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. ' 713 

of North Carolina, aud sent to Cliota, "the beloved town" of the Chero- 
kees, where he resided for some time, and while there rendered himself 
popular with the chiefs. 

In 1779 Robertson determined to remove still further west, and in 
February, accompanied by a party of eight, he set out to examine and 
locate land in the Cumberland, and to raise a crop of corn for the sup- 
port of those who were to come out in the fall. The hardships and pri- 
vations endured in the founding of the Cumberland settlements have 
been described in another chapter, and will not be here repeated. Dur- 
ing all of these troublesome times, and up to his death, Gen. Robertson 
was looked upon as a counselor and leader by all the colonists. Under 
the Government of the Notables he was the president of the committee or 
the judges, and upon the organization of Davidson County was one of 
the justices appointed to hold the county court. He was also the first 
representative of the county to the General Assembly of North Carolina, 
and continued by successive elections until the organization of the Ter- 
ritorial government. He was then commissioned by Washington major- 
general of the Mero District. 

As a legislator Gen. Robertson displayed the highest qualities of the 
statesman, and he could no doubt have attained eminence in a wider 
field. Although the Assembly of North Carolina had evinced a disposi- 
tion to ignore the settlements west of the Cumberland Mountains, he 
succeeded in securing the passage of many acts for the benefit of his 
county, notably among which was one providing for the establishment of 
Davidson Academy; another provided for a superior court of law and 
equity, and a third prohibiting the establishment of distilleries in David- 
son Coanty. In 1795 he resigned his commission as commander of the 
Mero District, and the following year was appointed Indian agent. In 
March, 1805, he was sent on a mission to the Chickasaws and Choctaws, 
and in July following, in company with the Indian agent, Dinsmore, met 
the chiefs of the former nation and obtained a total relinquishment of 
the title to a large tract of their land east of the Mississippi. In No- 
vember a treaty was concluded with the Choctaws. 

During: the war of 1812 Gen. Robertson rendered his last and 
greatest service to his country. Through his influence with the Indians, 
the Choctaws, Chickasaws and Cherokees, were induced to aid the United 
States against the Creeks and the British, and the people of Tennes- 
see were saved from the horrors of an Indian war. Gen. Robertson had 
long been subject to neuralgia, and while at the Chickasaw Agency he 
was seized with an attack of great violence, which ended his life Sep- 
tember 1, 1814. His remains were interred at the agency, where they 



71-i HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

rested till the year 1825, when tliey were removed to tlie cemetery at 
Nashville, By his side now rest the remains of his wife who survived 
him until June 11, 1843. They had eleven children, seven sons and 
four daughters. Two sons were killed by the Indians ; one daughter died" 
in infancy. Felix Robertson, one of the sons, was born at the Bluff 
January 11, 1781, and was the first white child born in the settlement. 

The ancestors of Judge John Haywood emigrated from England at 
an early period and settled in the city of New York, from which place 
they moved to Norfolk, Va. The destruction of the town with the home 
of the Haywoods led the grandfather, "William Haywood, to seek a home 
elsewhere. He moved to near the town of Halifax, on the Roanoke, N, 
C. Egbert Haywood, the father of Judge John Haywood, became a farm- 
er in the neighborhood. He was a man of ordinary means, and had 
little desire for books or social culture, caring more for field sports or the 
chase than literary attainments. 

John Haywood, son of the above, was born March IG, 17G2, at the 
family estate in Halifax County, N. C. The country afforded little * 
opportunity for an education: not only were there few schools, but there 
were few educated teachers. The father being comparatively poor, he 
was unable to send his son to a foreign country or even a neighboring 
province to school, as was the case with those more favored by fortune. 
The want of public schools was in some instances supplied by private 
teachers. In his early life he attended a private academy taught by a 
Rev. Mr. Castle, from whom he obtained a knowledge of the elements of 
an education. He acquired some knowledge of Latin, Greek, geography 
and other branches. His knowledge of any one branch of learning at 
this time was general rather than special. At an early period in his 
career he formed a resolution to study law, a profession for which he 
was well fitted by nature. He was without books, without money, and 
without an instructor. He began his studies by reading some of Ray- 
mond's reports, which were couched in the stilted and circumlocutory 
style of the period, and interspersed with innumerable Latin and French 
phrases. He soon rose to prominence at the bar. He made his first 
argument before the supreme court at the age of twenty -four. He dis- 
played such ability in this case as to attract marked attention, and he was 
no longer without clients. In 1794, as attorney-general, he procured not 
only the reconsideration but the reversal of judgment by the supreme 
court of a case decided unconstitutional the year preceding. In 1704 he 
became one of the judges of the superior court of law and equity, a posi- 
tion which he held five or six years. While on the bench he collected 
the decisions of the supreme court of North Carolina from 1789 to 1798. 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 715 

After leaving tlie bench he again began the practice, which he fol- 
lowed in North Carolina till 1807, when he moved to Davidson County, 
Tenn., and settled about seven miles from Nashville. The reputation 
Judge Haywood had made both as a lawyer and a judge in North Caro- 
lina soon brought him into prominence before the Tennessee bar. This 
was at a period when many persons were involved in suits over land 
claims and titles. Judge Guild, who was examined by Judge Haywood 
in October, 1822, for license to practice law, describes his visit to the 
judge as being somewhat peculiar. He found the judge lying out in his 
yard on a bull-hide in the shade. He looked as large as a sleeping bul- 
lock, as his weight was about 350 pounds. He found him grim, and 
when he told his business the judge began growling and grumbling, and 
said he did not see why he should be disturbed. He called two negro 
men, and had them take the bull-hide by the tail and drag him farther 
into the shade. He then began a very long and searching catechism on 
the law. He grew very communicative, and was well pleased with his 
work. Then followed a long lecture of advice, covering almost the whole 
of moral and legal ethics. He is said to have been agreeable in his 
manner, fond of society, and entertaining to the highest degree in his 
conversation. He kept his law office and library at his home in the 
country, and compelled his clients to attend on him there. Aside from his 
law studies Judge Haywood found time to pursue a wide field of literary 
pursuits. He published a work called " Natural and Aboriginal History 
of Tennessee," containing about 400 pages. In this he treats of the In- 
dians, their usages, etc., earthquakes, dreams, ghosts, goblins, bones of 
giants, pygmies, mastodons, caves and strange voices in air, portents, 
signs and wonders, all very curious and interesting. He also published 
in 1823 his "History of Tennessee," a book of about 500 pages, covering 
the period of settlement from 1768 to 1795. The "Evidences of Chis- 
tianity" followed. Many of Judge Haywood's conclusions in his literary 
works are based on very little evidence. That close reasoning that char- 
acterizes his legal conclusions is followed in his other works ; but is based 
upon insufficient evidence, and is therefore very often erroneous. Much 
of his writing is speculative and highly imaginative. One very curious 
argument Judge Haywood uses to prove that the Hebrews and Indians 
were the same people is to quote I Samuel, xviii: 27, to prove that 
the Hebrews scalped their enemies, as well as did the Indians. Many 
of his other arguments are in a similar vein. 

Judge Haywood died at his home near Nashville December 22, 1826, 
in the sixty -fourth year of his age. He died after a few days' illness, 
his death being hastened from his great corpulency. Judge Haywood 



716 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

left six children — three sons and three daughters: Thomas Haywood, 
a lawyer and teacher of classic education, died in 1868 near the Nolens- 
ville pike, about six miles from Nashville ; Dr. George was a well-known 
jjhysician of Marshall County; Dr. Egbert Haywood was a resident of 
Brownsville, Haywood County; one of the daughters mal-riedDr. Moore, 
of Huntsville, Ala. ; a second married Col. Jones, of Tuscumbia, and the 
third married Col. S. Jones, of Limestone County, Ala. 

The ancestry of William Blount has been traced with certainty to 
the invasion of England by William the Norman in 1066. The name 
was originally Le Blount, and from the successful issue of invasion to the 
Normans the two brothers accompanying the expedition became owners 
of large landed estates. In 1669 Thomas Blount, great-grandfather of 
William Blount, with two brothers emigrated to Virginia, where one of 
the brothers settled and became the head of a long line of descendants. 
■The other two brothers moved to North Carolina and settled in the vicin- 
ity of Albemarle. Jacob Blount, father of William Blount, was born 
in Bertie County, N. C, in 1726, and was married to Barbarjx- Gray, a 
lady of Scotch ancestry, in 1744, by whom he had eight children. On 
the death of his wife he married a daughter of Edw^ard Salten', hj which 
union there were five children. Jacob Blount was a member of North 
Carolina Assembly in 1775-76. His death occurred at his country seat 
in Pitt County in 1789. William Blount, eldest son of Jacob Blount, 
was born in Bertie County, N. C, March 26, 1749. Jacob Blount is 
said to have been a man of considerable estate, and to have educated his 
large family in accordance with his ample means and social standing. It 
is probable that the training of his sons was more in the line of the prac- 
tical than of the theoretical, that their training was more of action than 
of letters. William in early life rose to prominence by personal worth, 
and was married February 12, 1778, to Mary, a daughter of Col. Caleb 
Grainger. He and his father participated in the battle of Alamance, 
May 16, 1771, and all the brothers were leading spirits in the Kevolu- 
tionary war. Her half-brother, Willie, was for a time his private secre- 
tary; was judge of the supreme court of Tennessee, and was governor of 
the State from 1809 to 1815. 

William Blount was a member of the General Assembly of North 
Carolina the most of the time from 1780 to 1790. He was a member of the 
Continental Congress from that State in 1783-84, and again in 1786-87. 
His native State was active in the preliminary conventions which led 
to the final convention at Philadelphia, in 1787, of which he was a 
member. When the action of the convention was referred to the States, 
Blount used his whole power in the State convention for its ratification. 




ynm PHOTO BY muss, kulicin s gicrs msHviuE 



William Blount 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 717 

He is said to have been "a vigilant agent of his State and the faithful 
guardian of the interests of North Carolina" at the treaty of Hopewell 
with the Cherokees, November 28, 1785. He always took an active in- 
terest in the Western settlements and was ever a zealous friend to the 
Indians. His good influence was used with them in securing some of 
the most important and liberal treaties with the Cherokees, Choctaws 
and Chickasaws. The ordinance and the act amendatory to it for the gov- 
ernment of the territory southwest of the Ohio River, passed August 7, 
1789. This was after the second session act of North Carolina, which 
was intended to simplify matters and strengthen the hands of the Gen- 
eral Government. From personal acquaintance with Gov. Blount, made 
at the constitutional convention, and knowing his worth and acquaintance 
with the aifairs of the new Territory, Gen. Washington appointed him 
Territorial governor. His commission was received August 7, 1790, and 
on October 10 he entered upon his duties. He first took up his resi- 
dence at the home of William Cobb, at the forks of the Holston and 
Watauga Rivers, *and called around him the ablest men of the Territory 
to assist in his government. By the unanimous recommendation of the 
Legislature, he was appointed by President Washington as superintend- 
ent of Indian affairs. He made a tour of inspection of the Territory to 
inquire into the wants and needs of the people. The Indians with whom 
he was to treat were included in the tribes of the Creeks, Cherokees, 
Chickasaws and Choctaws. This was one of his most difficult tasks. 
The boundaries of these were not well-defined and some of the stipula- 
tions of former treaties not carried out. Many white men had settled 
upon the territory of the Indians, and this gave cause for complaint by 
the Indians. British and Spanish intrigue was at work upon the 
Indians, and to prevent complications with these countries his instruc- 
tions were to adopt defensive measures only in dealing with the Southern 
Indians, although surrounded by from 30,000 to 50,000 warriors. Con- 
sidering the difficulties of the surroundings, he managed with commenda- 
ble prudence. Being restrained as he was, many private injuries were 
inflicted by the Indians, which he was unable to punish; hence arose 
complaints, the grounds for which he was not responsible. 

Gov. Blount called the Legislative council and the House of Repre- 
sentatives in extra session at Knoxville on June 29, 17.95, to take steps 
toward the foimation of a State constitution. An act was passed July 
ll,||J-795, ordering a census and a vote on the question of formiiig a 
State constitution. The result of this poll was announced by the gov- 
ernor November 28, 1795, there being 6,501 votes for and 2,562 votes 
against a State constitution. On the same day he ordered a general 



718 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE, 

election to be lield December 18 and 19, for the election of five persons 
from each county to assemble in Knoxville January 11, 1796, to draft a 
State constitution. The final announcement of the passage of the act 
took place February G, 1790. On March 30 the names of William Blount 
and William Cocke were proposed for United States Senators, and 
on the following day were unanimously elected. The Legislature met 
again on July 30, and Congress in the meantime having declared the 
March election of senators illegal, from the fact that the State had not 
been admitted, these men were again elected on August 2. Gov. Blount 
took his seat in the Senate December 5, 1796. July 3, 1797, President 
Adams sent a message to both Houses of Congress, stating that the con- 
dition of the country was critical. The grounds for this suspicion was 
some correspondence Mr. Blount had had with various parties, which led 
to the belief that he had entered into a conspiracy to transfer the territory 
of New Orleans and Florida to Great Britain through the influence of 
an English army and the assistance of the Indians, who were to be 
drawn into the scheme. Five days after the giving of the notice Mr. 
Blount was expelled from the Senate on a charge of having been guilty 
of "high misdemeanor, entirely inconsistent with his public trust and 
duty as a senator." The vote stood twenty-five for expulsion to one 
against it. Mr. Tazewell, of Yirginia, alone voted in the negative. On 
the vote of the impeachment of William Blount as a civil officer within 
the meaning of the Constitution of the United States, etc., it was deter- 
mined in the negative. The vote stood eleven for conviction and four- 
teen for acquittal. 

It is claimed for Mr. Blount that if time had been given him he 
could have vindicated himself. So great was the confidence of the peo- 
ple in his innocence that Gen. James White, senator from Knox County, 
resigned his seat in the General Assembly of the State in his interest it is 
said, and the people of Knox County elected him to the vacant seat. At a 
called session, December 3, 1797, he was unanimously elected speaker of 
that body. He is described by Dr. Ramsey as a man " remarkable for 
great address, courtly manners, benignant feelings and a most commanding 
presence. His urbanity, his personal influence over men of all condi- 
tions and ages, his hospitality, unostentatiously yet elegantly and grace- 
fully extended to all, won upon the affections and regard of the populace, 
and made him a universal favorite. He was at once the social compan- 
ion, the well-read gentleman and the capable officer." This inscription 
on a slab in the grave-yard of the First Presbyterian Church in Knox- 
ville tells his end: "William Blount, died March 21, 1800, aged fifty 
three years." . 



HISTORY OP TENNESSEE, 719 

Gov. William Carroll was born in Pennsylvania March. 3, 1788. He 
had little advantages for an education, but was a man of extraordinary 
good sense. In 1810 lie left Pittsburgh, Penn., and came to Nashville. 
He engaged in mercantile business in which he was very successful. 
On the outbreak of the Creek war he was appointed captain. His fine 
personal appearance, brave and courageous manner, knowledge of mili- 
tary matters, frank and noble bearing attracted the attention of Gen, 
Jackson, who made him one of his most trusted lieutenants. He took an 
active part in the battle of Talladega December 9, 1813, and contribiited 
no little to its success. On the expiration of the term of service of the 
men Gen. Carroll was one of the most active in raising recruits for the 
very needy army of Jackson at Fort Strother. These forces, amounting 
to 900 men, were forwarded early in January, and on the 17tli started 
for Emuckfau, where they met and defeated the Indians on the 21st. In 
a retrogade movement on Fort Strother the Indians attacked the Ameri- 
can lines on the 21:th at Enotochopco, and were again defeated. On March 
24 the army again started, and on the 27th was fought the great battle 
of Tohopeka or Horseshoe. In these engagements Gen. Carroll sustained 
his reputation for skill and bravery. He soon after returned home to 
take charge of the new levies for New Orleans, On November 19, 1814, 
he embarked at Nashville with 2,500 men, and hastened down the river 
to assist in the defense of New Orleans, that place was reached December 
21, and in a few hours the men were in the position assigned them. 

On the final battle of January 8 Gen. Carroll occupied the position 
next to the extreme left. The center of Carroll was selected for the 
main attack. This was done on information that these men were militia. 
The British advance in column was made with great desperation, but was 
met with great coolness. There was an appalling loss of life in front of 
Carroll's men. The military fame of Carroll and Coffee is indelibly 
linked with the fame of Jackson in the gre*at achievements of that period. 
After the close of the war Gen. Carroll again returned to civil life. He 
was a very active business man, and brought the first steam-boat the "Gen. 
Jackson," to Nashville, in 1818, He continued in business till the finan- 
cial depression of 1818-20, when he met with severe reverses, which led 
him into politics. In 1821 he was a candidate and was elected governor 
of the State. He was re-elected twice in succession, but being constitu- 
tionally ineligible for a fourth term he gave way to Gen. Houston. He 
wa^ again recalled and served six years longer. His official career as 
governor was characterized by clearness, good judgment and firmness. 
His official documents though not classical are noted for good literary 
taste. In 1813 he was led into a duel with Jesse Benton, brother of 



720 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Col. Thomas H. Benton. It seems some of the younger element was 
jealous of Carroll's popularity. Several ineffectual efforts were made to 
bring about a collision between Carroll and some one of the young men. 
At last Jesse Benton was led into the quarrel and promptly challenged 
Carroll to a duel. Carroll appealed to Jackson to act as his second, but 
the latter insisted that Carroll should select some one else. Gen. Carroll 
told Jackson that he believed there was a conspiracy to run him (Car- 
roll) out of the county. This angered Gen. Jackson, who promptly said 
that while he was alive Carroll should not be run out of the State. 
Jackson endeavored to bring about a reconciliation between the two 
belligerents and partially succeeded. However, the duel was fought and 
both contestants received slight wounds. The part that Jackson took in 
this affair led to the altercation between him and Benton a few weeks 
afterward. The life of Carroll is summed up in the inscription on his 
monument: "As a gentleman he was modest, intelligent, accomplished; 
as an officer he has energetic, gallant, daring; as a statesman he was wise 
and just. Delivered an address in Nashville on March 15, 1844, con- 
gratulating Gen. Jackson and the country on the final passage of the act 
of Congress appropriating a sum of money to repay Gen. Jackson the 
amount of the fine with interest imposed upon him by Judge Hall, of 
New Orleans. This was the last public act of Gen. Carroll. He died 
on March 22, 1844, in the fifty-sixth year of his age." 

The ancestors of Andrew Jackson were long known near Carrickfer- 
gus,* in the north of Ireland. Hugh Jackson, the great-grandfather of 
Gen. Jackson, was a linen draper there as early as 1660, and as was the 
case generally in that county the same avocation was followed by mem- 
bers of the family for many years. Hugh Jackson was the father of 
four sons, the youngest of whom was named Andrew. Andi-ew was the 
father of Andrew Jackson, so well known throughout this country. The 
father of Andrew Jackson, the general, married Elizabeth Hutcliinson, 
the daughter of a poor but respectable linen weaver near their old home 
at Carrickfergus. With his wife, two sons, Hugh and Kobert, and 
several of his kinsmen, Andrew Jackson immigrated to America and 
arrived in Charleston, S. C, in 1767, but soon moved to a settlement 
known as the " Waxhaws," near the line between North and South 
Carolina. The father settled at Twelve Mile Creek, near a branch of 
the Catawba Eiver, in what was formerly called Mecklenburg, but now 
Union County, N. C. The family began work in clearing and cultivat- 
ing a piece of land, but it seems no title to it was ever acquired. In 
the spring of 1767 occurred the death of Mr. Jackson, a short time 

*The Crag of Fergus, or where King Fergus was drowned. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 721 

before the birth of Gen. Jackson. The body, with the family, was 
placed in a wagon and carried to the old church at Waxhaw, where the 
body was buried. Mrs. Jackson went to live with her married sister, 
Mrs. George McKemey or McCamie, where on March 15, 1707, the 
future President was born. Owing to the poverty of this brother-in-law 
Mrs. Jackson went to live with Mr. Crawford, another brother-in-law, 
who lived near the State line, in South Carolina. 

Here young Jackson spent the j&rst ten or twelve years of his life. 
He might have been seen a tall, slender, long, sandy haired, freckle- 
faced, bright blue-eyed boy while attending an "old field school," He 
was dressed in coarse coppered-clothes ; and barefooted attended a 
school at Waxhaw taught by Dr. Humphries, but it seems he never 
attained great proficiency in any branch nor any great love for books. 
The massacre at "Waxhaw on May 29, 1780, was the first introduction 
he had to the horrors of war. Here were butchered 263 of the Whio^s of 
the Carolinas, the wounded having received from three to thirteen 
wounds ; among the number killed was his brother Hugh. Ancbew was 
present at the engagement at Hanging Rock, but was too young to take 
an active part. He took Col. Davie at that time as his ideal commander, 
the dash and spirit of that enterprising officer well suiting the aggressive 
character of Jackson. 

Soon after this Jackson and his brother Robert, with many others, 
were captured by the British and Tories. It was while a prisoner that a 
British officer ordered Jackson to clean his boots, an order Avhich he 
refused to obey on the ground thai? he was a prisoner and should be 
treated as such. A sabre stroke on the head and arm was received for 
his disobedience. An order was then given to Robert to do the work; 
another refusal and another wound was the result. The young Jacksons 
were crowded into a prison pen at Camden after the defeat of Gen, 
Gates on August 16, 1780. Here without food and clothing and badly 
crowded the suffering of the prisoners was intense. Mrs, Jackson, by 
great exertion, succeeded in securing an exchange of her sons and a few 
others. With these she started to a place of safety, forty miles distant 
The elder son was wounded and suffering from small-pox. Ancb-eAv was 
compelled to walk through rain and mud, and burning with the fever of 
coming small-pox. Robert soon died and Andrew was reduced to death's 
door. The suffering of the prisoners in 1781 induced Mrs. Jackson to 
go to Charleston, 160 miles distant, to nurse the sick. Here she soon 
after died of ship fever. 

The disbarring of many Tory attorneys by the war opened a new and 
lucrative field for Whig lawyers. This led many young men to embark 



722 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

in the profession, among them Jackson. He began the study of law with 
Spencer McCay, in Salisbury, S. C, where he remained during the 
years 1785-86. Here it is said he played cards, fought cocks, ran 
horse races and occasionally got drunk, but was never dissipated. After 
a short practice in North Carolina, of which little is known, Jackson de- 
termined to seek his fortune in tlie West. The difficulties between North 
Carolina and the State of Franklin had been settled. Judge McNairy, a 
friend and former associate of Jackson, had been appointed judge of the 
Supreipe Court for the AVestern District, and Jackson obtained the ap- 
pointment of prosecutor for the same district. Others determined to follow. 
A party started from Morganton to cross the mountains to Jonesboro, the 
usual stopping-place this side of the mountains. The party left for Nash- 
yille by escort in November, 1788. Jackson seems not to have been 
without cases. In the Davidson County Court in 1790 out of 192 cases 
Jackson had 42; in 1793 out of lo5 he had 72, and in the July term he 
had 60 out of 135, and in 1791 he had 228 out of the 397. On the ad- 
mission of Tennessee as a State he resigned his attorneyship and was 
chosen first representative for the session by the Legislature, beginning 
December 5, 1796, and ending March 3, 1797. He appears not to have 
been present at the next session, beginning May 13, 1797, and ending 
July 10, 1797. Blount was expelled from the Senate July 8, 1797, and 
on November 22 Jackson succeeded him. August 28, 1798, he was ap- 
pointed to the office of judge of the superior court of law and equity, and 
soon after resigned his seat in the . Senate. He was noted while in Con- 
gress for the vigor with which he urged the militia claims of Tennessee 
on Congress. He resigned his seat on the bench in 1801, and again be- 
gan practice. The salary of a supreme judge Avas only i$600, and this 
doubtless led him to resign. It is said no reports of his decisions are 
extant, and that they were clothed in bad language, poorly spelled and 
Tingrammatical — not technical but generally right. 

After leaving the bench he devoted his time to his profession and to 
business, occasionally going down the river trading. He was very ag- 
gressive as an attorney. He was insulted by Col. Waightstill, to whom he 
first applied to read law, in a case wherein Jackson was defeated. Waight- 
still was challenged for a duel, which was accepted, and the duel fought 
without bloodshed. A quarrel arose between Jackson and his old friend 
Sevier. There was just a little favor asked, which Sevier did not readily 
grant, then an accusation concerning some land speculation in which 
Jackson accused Sevier of having a hand. In 1803 Jackson, who was 
still judge, opposed Sevier's re-election. At a public speaking in Knox- 
ville, Gov. Sevier denounced Jackson most bitterly and vehemently, and 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 723 

went so far as to question Mrs. Jackson's chastity. This threw Jackson 
into an ungovernable rage, and interference of friends only prevented 
bloodshed. A challenge soon followed. Sevier accepted on condition 
that the fight should be outside the State. Jackson insisted that it 
should be within the State. Each accused the other of cowardice. The 
matter finally ended without harm to either. In the fall occurred the 
duel between Gen. Jackson and Charles Dickinson. The melancholy 
ending of this encounter is well knowil Dickinson fired first, severely 
wounding Jackson who did not fall, but coolly aimed at his antagonist 
and pulled the trigger, the hammer stopping at half-cock. He re-cocked 
the weapon, took deliberate aim, fired and killed Dickinson. In 1813 
occurred the encounter between Jackson and the Bentons, in w"hich the 
General was severely wounded. 

The splendid military achievements of Jackson in the Creek war end- 
ing in his magnificent triumph at New Orleans on January 8, 1815, are 
facts of American history. The Seminole war again brought out his 
military genius, and his government of Florida at a very critical period 
showed his administrative qualities. There is a certain halo around mili- 
tary glory that captures the public mind. The name of Jackson was 
mentioned as early as 1815 by some of his admiring military friends. 
On July 20, 1822, the Legislature of this State formally nominated Jack- 
son for president in 1821. This brought him prominently before the 
people. Col. John Williams who was United States Senator from Ten- 
nessee, was a candidate for re-election. To succeed he must carry the 
Legislature of the State. The election of Col, Williams meant the suc- 
cess of the Whig ticket and the defeat of Jackson's prospects. It became 
necessary for Jackson's success to defeat Col. Williams. The friends of 
Jackson staked all by nominating him for senator. His name and fame 
carried the day and he was elected by a large majority. In the presi- 
dential campaign" of 1824, there were four candidates for the presidency, 
Gen, Jackson, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay and John Quincy 
Adams. Jackson had the largest electoral vote, also the largest popu- 
lar vote, but the matter being thrown into the House, Mr. Adams was 
elected. In 1825 Jackson resigned his seat in the Senate and returned 
home, but in October of the same year was again nominated for the presi- 
dency. The enthusiasm for him rose to a white heat, nor was the tongue 
of slander idle. In the election of 1828 Mr. Jackson received 178 votes 
to eighty-three for Mr. Adams. So popular was Mr. Jackson's first admin- 
istration that in 1832 he received 219 electoral votes to forty-nine votes 
for Mr. Clay. 

The military career of Jackson is also brilliant. He husbanded his 



724 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

resources until the time for a blow, then it was struck with the fierce- 
ness of a gladiator. He pushed his advantages to the utmost and never 
allowed his enemies time to recover. He often deceived them by a show 
of strength when he was really weak. His boldness and aggressive 
spirit made up for his deficiency in men and material. His administra- 
tive abilities may be more a question, yet whatever of error there might 
have been in them there will always be persons who will try to imitate 
his course. Many of his ideas were put into successful practice that 
would have been entirely impracticable if advocated by a man of less force. 
His aggressive administration did more to establish respect for American 
prowess than any other. His conclusions when reached were carried 
out. "Nothing terrestrial shall change the fixed purpose of my soul," 
said he on one occasion. He stood by his friends and was a good hater 
of his enemies. His aggressive nature coupled with the love of his 
friends often led him into difficulties. All his biographers say he was 
not quarrelsome ; this may be, but it seems hardly true. He loved horse 
racing and could indulge in the most bitter oaths ; was also frequently 
officious in duels. To all these things it may be said that public senti- 
ment was so little against these vices that they were looked upon as mere 
trifles. Jackson was not a profound scholar nor a great reader. He 
read men well and kept posted on the events of the day. His spelling 
has often been ridiculed. Parton says: '"Jackson lived at a time when 
few men and no women could spell;" furthermore he spelled better than 
Frederick II, Marlborough, Napoleon or Washington. Even "O. K." is 
said to have been written by him for "all correct." A case from the 
docket in 1790 in Jackson's handwriting, will illustrate how this error 
started. " A. Jackson presented a bill of sale which was approved and 
marked O. R." The initials being O. R. instead of O. K., are the ab- 
breviations for "ordered recorded," a very common form of simplifying 
the expression. Jackson, though never a very polished writer or speaker, 
had the faculty of getting at the truth in the most direct way. His do- 
mestic relations were always the most happy. The death of Mrs. Jackson, 
which occurred on December 22, 1828, was a severe blow to the General. 
He himself died, without heir, at the Hermitage on June 8, 1845. 

Sam Houston, a very noted and somewhat eccentric individual was 
born in Lexington, Rockbridge Co., Va., March 2, 1793. His ancestors 
were Scottish Covenanters, who fled to the north of Ireland to escape per- 
secution. A number of them came to Pennsylvania about the beginning 
of the eighteenth century. The father of Sam was a soldier in the Rev- 
oliitionary war, and at the time of his death, in 1807, was inspector of a 
brigade. The mother with her nine children — six sons and three daugh- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, 725 

ters — soon after moved to East Tennessee and settled in Blount County, 
near tlie Cherokee country. Young Houston learned to read and write 
before leaving: Virginia, and on his arrival at their new home was sent to 
school to an academy in the settlement. While attending school he com- 
mitted to memory almost the whole of Pope's translation of the Illiad. 
On his teacher's refusal to teach him Greek and Latin, he left school in 
disgust, with the remark that he would never recite another lesson. By 
the influence of his elder brother he entered a store as a clerk soon after 
leaving school. Becoming disgusted with his clerkship, he suddenly 
left and went to live with the Indians. His tall commanding figure and 
daring exploits as a hunter soon made him a great favorite among the 
Indians. The chief Ootooteka adopted him as his son. He remained 
with the Indians three years and grew to manhood, in size being fully 
six feet in height, of handsome, fine figure. He left his friends, the 
Indians, as suddenly as he had left home before. He was now eighteen 
years of age, and on his return home he opened a school. He charged 
the moderate rate of |8 per year for tuition ; one-third payable in cash, 
one-third in corn and one-third in domestic cotton cloth. 

He began his teaching in 1811, and soon had a floui'ishing school. 
The outbreak of the war with Great Britain afforded an opportunity for 
the display of his talents in a direction more congenial to his nature. 
In 1813 he enlisted as a common soldier, but soon rose to the rank of 
ensign. At the battle of the Horseshoe Bend, on March 27, 1813, he re- 
ceived a severe wound in the thigh from an arrow, and two balls in the 
shoulder. After the battle he was carried to Fort Strother on a litter. 
His wounds were thought to be mortal, but his robust constitution saved 
him. His bravery in battle made him a particular favorite of Jackson. 
After peace he was stationed at Knoxville as lieutenant, in charge of a 
post, but was soon afterward sent to New Orleans. While there his old 
wounds broke out afi-esh and he was compelled to undergo a very dan- 
gerous and painful surgical operation. After a winter of suffering he 
went to New York, where his health improved. In 1816 he returned to 
Tennessee, by way of Washington City, and was stationed at Nashville. 
On January 1, 1817, he was appointed to carry out a treaty with the 
Cherokee Indians. The next year he headed a delegation of Indians to 
Washington. While in that city he was accused of exercising too great 
zeal in putting a stop to the African slave trade through Florida, but was 
fully acquitted on trial. On March 1, 1818, he resigned his commission 
in the army and settled in Nashville, where he began the study of law. 
After a course of six months he was admitted to practice, and began his 
labors at Lebanon, Wilson County. His rise was rapid. In October, 



726 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

1819, he was attorney-general for the Nashville District, and in 1821 he 
was made major-general of the militia of the Western District. In 1823 
he was elected to Congress, and again in 1825. He was elected govern- 
or of the State by the very flattering majority of 12,000. In January, 
1829, Gov. Houston was married to Miss Eliza Allen, but from domestic 
infelicity he left her in April, resigned his office, gave up his candidacy 
for re-election, and again went to his old friends, the Cherokees, now be- 
yond the Mississippi. His old adopted father, Ootooteka, again kindly 
received him, and by a council of the chiefs, on October 21, 1829, he was 
made a citizen of the Cherokee nation, with full power. Detecting frauds 
in contracts with the Indians he went to Washington in 1832, where he 
plead the cause of the Indians so strongly that it led to an investigation, 
which caused the suspension of several clerks, and led to a personal en- 
counter between himself and W. R. Stansbury, of Ohio, in which the lat- 
ter received a severe castigation. For this offense Houston was arrested 
and fined $500, and was reprimanded by the speaker. President Jack- 
son, however, caused his fine to be remitted, and he left Washington in 
disgust and returned to the Indians in December, 1832, 

He soon after moved to Nacogdoches, Tex., and took a very active 
part in the affairs of that State. He was elected delegate to the conven- 
tion on April 1, 1833; while a member of that body he exercised great 
influence over its deliberations. On the outbreak of war between Texas 
and Mexico, Houston was made commander of the militia of the eastern 
district, and in October, 1835, joined his forces with Gen. Austin, who 
was besieging Bexar. Gen. Austin offered to resign the entire command 
to Houston, who refused to accept. By vote of forty-nine out of fifty 
Houston was made commander-in-chief of the Texan forces, but resigned 
March 2, 1836, because he was accused of wanting to make himself 
dictator. He was soon after re-elected commander-in-chief by the same 
vote. He took command of the Texan forces at Gonzales, March 10, 
which numbered 374 men. A force under Col. Travis held the Alamo 
against the orders of Houston, and were besieged and captured by Santa 
Anna and the garrison of 185 men massacred. A panic seized Houston's 
men when the news reached camp that Santa Anna was advancing with 
5,000 men. With difficulty Houston, who was absent at the time, col- 
lected his fugitives and fell back to Peach Creek. Here he was joined 
by 100 men, and soon after by 650 more. Being without artillery he 
was unwilling to give battle; in the meantime Col. Fannin was ordered 
to join him with the garrison of Goliad, but the order was not promptly 
obeyed. The entire garrison was surrounded and captured by Gen. 
Urrea and 357 men were shot. Intense feeling was aroused against the 



HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. V2. 

Mexicans. Santa Anna's army, flushed witli victory, captured Harris- 
burg, the capital, and burned ib, also New Washington. On April 10 
Houston received two six-pound guns from Cincinnati. His forces now 
numbered 783 men; Santa Anna 1,600 veterans. Houston attacked him 
at San Jacinto March 21. He opened with grape and cannister then 
charged with the cry, "Kemember the Alamo." Houston had his ankle 
shattered by a ball and his horse mortally wounded, but urged him up to 
the works which were instantly scaled. The Texans having no bayonets 
used clubbed muskets, bowie knives and pistols. Few Mexicans escaped ; 
630 were killed, 208 were wounded, and 730 were captured. The next 
day Santa Anna was captured in disguise. Houston exerted all his 
influence to stay the butchery of the Mexicans and saved Santa Anna. 
While prisoner Santa Anna acknowledged the independence of Texas and 
agreed to withdraw his forces therefrom. Houston resigned his posi- 
tion in favor of Gen. Rusk and went to New Orleans for treatment for 
his wounds. On his improvement he returned to his old home in Texas. 
A call was made in July for the election of a president of the repub- 
lic in September. Houston was selected to be a candidate, but with 
great reluctance consented. He was inaugurated October 22, 1836, and 
took his old competitors, Gen. Austin and Hon. Henry White, into the 
cabinet. He released Santa Anna and sent him to Washington to con- 
fer with President Jackson. He soon opened communication with the 
Washington government with a view to the annexation of Texas. His 
administration was as brilliant as his military career. The constitution 
prevented his re-election in 1838, when he was succeeded by M. B. 
Lamar. In 1841 he was again called to the presidency. In his inaugural 
address he said: "There is not a dollar in the treasury; we are in debt $10,- 
000,000 or ^15,000,000. We are without money, without credit, and for 
want of punctuality are without character." On the annexatioii of Texas 
he was chosen one of the United States Senators from that State, and 
was elected again in 1853 to serve till March 4, 1859. He was defeated 
for re-election in 1858, but was chosen governor again in August, 1859. 
He opposed the Kansas-Nebraska bill in a great speech March 3, 1854, 
and lamented the repeal of the Missouri compromise. He was a friend 
to the American or Know-nothing party. He favored the Lecompton 
constitution in the Kansas difficulties, and opposed secession at the out- 
break of the war. He resigned his office rather than subscribe to the 
oath presented by the convention. His death occurred at Huntersville, 
Tex., July 25, 1863. Personally Houston was a man of great courage, 
and was the soul of honor. While in Congress he made charges against 
Col. Irwin, postmaster at Nashville. These charges were resented by a 



728 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

challenge sent to Gen. Houston from Col. Irwin by the liand of Col. John 
Smith, of Missouri. This Houston refused to receive from Smith. The 
act of Houston was criticised by Gen. William White as beino- discour- 
teous to Col. Smith. A dispute arose which resulted in a challeno-e and 
duel. Gen. White was severely but not fatally wounded. 

Col. David Crockett,* son of John Crockett, of Irish birth, was born 
at Limestone, on the NoUichucky Eiver, in Washington County, Tenn., 
on August 17, 1786. His mother's maiden name was Rebecca Hawkins. 
After some youthful adventures, a little schooling and a third courtship, 
j^oung Crockett married a beautiful Irish girl. About 1808 he with his 
wife and two children moved to Lincoln County, Tenn., where in the two 
following years he began to distinguish himself as a hunter. In 1810 or 
1811 he moved to Franklin County, and soon after the massacre at :^ort 
Minims went as a volunteer to the Creek war, participating in most of the 
important battles until its close in 1815. Soon after the close of the 
war his wife died, leaving three children, and in a short time he married 
as his second wife the widow of a soldier, who had two children, and by 
whom he had three more. He subsequently removed to the country 
purchased of the Chickasaw Indians, in what is now Lawrence County, 
and became successively magistrate, colonel of militia, and member of 
the Legislature. Having lost his property, failed in business, and given 
up all to his creditors, he determined to go farther West, especially as 
game was becoming scare in the locality where he lived. 

In 1822 he removed to West Tennessee and settled in what is now 
Gibson County, but at that time Weakley County. Here he eno-ao-ed in 
his favorite sport, bear hunting, and thus supplied his family with an 
abundance of meat. He also secured a large quantity of peltry, which 
he exchanged for coffee, sugar, powder, lead and salt. He was now 
elected for a second term of the Legislature, serving during the years 
1823-21, voting against Gen. Jackson for United States Senator. In 
1825 he became a candidate for a seat in Congress against Col. Adam E. 
Alexander, then serving as the first representative to that body from 
West Tennessee, but was defeated by two votes. For the next two years 
he was engaged in the lumber trade and in bear hunting, killino- in 
one season no less than 105 bears. But his speculation in the lumber 
trade was a total failure. He then became a candidate a second time for 
Congress and defeated Col. Alexander and Gen. William Arnold by a 
majority of 2,718 votes. He acted with the "Jackson j3arty" durino- the 
administration of President Adams, but during his second term he voted 
against the Indian b ill, a favorite measure of President Jackson's. In 

♦From a manuscript in possession of the Tennessee Historical Society. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 729 

1830 he was a candidate for a third term in Congress, but owing to his 
opposition to the administration party he was defeated by his opponent 
William Fitzgerald. Two years later, however, despite the efforts of the 
partisans of the administration, he defeated Mr. Fitzgerald by a majority 
of 202. He co-operated with the Whig party forming the rechartering 
of the United States Bank, and opposing the removal of the deposits. 

In the spring of 1834 Col. Crockett made a trip through the Northern 
States, visiting Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and other 
cities, and was everywhere received with marked attention, especially by 
the Whigs. He was presented in Philadelphia by the younger AVhigs 
with a very fine rifled gun, a present he prized very highly, and which he 
subsequently bore with him in many a bear hunt, as well as during his 
campaigns in Texas. Retiring to Washington, where he remained 
until the close of Congress, he returned home, and was a candidate for 
re-election, Adam Huntsman being his opponent. Crockett was defeated, 
having not only Huntsman but the influence of Andrew Jackson and 
Gov. Carroll backed by the Union Bank at Jackson to contend against. 
Feeling that "Crockett's occupation was gone" and being disgusted 
with the ways of scheming politicians, he determined to go to Texas. 
He made a parting address to his constituents, in which he reviewed his 
course in Congress and warned them against the policy of "the Govern- 
ment " and the President's disposition to nominate Mr. Yan Bur en as 
his successor. He also alluded to the unfair means used to defeat him 
in his late canvass, and closed by telling them that he was done with 
politics for the present, and that they might all go to h — 1 and he would 
go to Texas. 

Taking leave of his wife and children, and shouldering his rifle 
"Betsy," he started at once on the highway to Texas, to a heroic death 
and to a fame as lasting as the memory of the bloody Alamo itself. He 
made his journey as rapidly as he could, and reached San Antonio in' 
time to join the patriots before Santa Anna's army, previous to the 
siege of the city. He was one of the six Americans who survived the 
assault upon the Alamo on March 6, 1836. The prisoners were taken 
before the Mexican chief, who gave orders for the massacre of the whole 
number. Col. Crockett, seeing their treachery, sprang like a tiger at his 
foes, when a number of swords were sheathed in his indomitable heart. 
His body, with others of the slain, was buried in a heap in the center of 
the Alamo. Thus ended the life of Col. David Crockett, the celebrated 
bear hunter of Tennessee, the eccentric congressman from the West and 
one of the heroes of the Alamo, whose fame is as immortal as history. 

On the 11th of September, 1777, was born Felix Grundy, the young- 



730 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

est of seven sons of George Grundy, of Berkley County, Va. He 
was of English parentage. The family moved from Virginia to Browns- 
ville, Penn., in 1779, and 1780 to Kentucky, which State was then indeed 
a "dark and bloody ground." At least three of the family fell victims 
to the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savage ; not only were several 
of the family victims of the savages, but their home and household ef- 
fects were swept aAvay also. This was a time according to the language 
of himself when "death was in every bush, and when every thicket con- 
cealed an ambuscade." He was placed in the academy at Bardstown, Ky., 
under that eminent educator. Dr. Priestley, who afterward became presi- 
dent of the University of Nashville. Being the seventh son tlie mother 
destined him for a physician, but that profession being distasteful to him 
he chose the law. He entered the law office of Col. George Nicholas, a 
gentleman who stood at the head of the Kentucky bar at that time. In 
1798 he began practice and soon attained eminence as a criminal lawyer. 
It was in this department of the law that he ranked highest and in which, 
he had few if any equals and no superiors. 

He was chosen a member of the convention to revise the constitution 
of Kentucky in 1799, and the same year became a member of the Legis- 
lature of that commonwealth, where he remained for several successive 
terms. In 1806 he was appointed judge of the supreme court of errors 
and appeals and on the resignation of Justice Todd Mr. Grundy became 
chief justice of the State, at the age of twenty-nine. The salary of the 
office being small, he resigned and moved to Nashville in 1807, to enter 
a broader field of usefulness. He was admitted to the practice of law in 
the several courts of the State on Saturday, November 14, 1807. Of his 
professional ability Hon. John M. Bright, who delivered an oration on the 
"Life, Character and Public Services of the Hon. Felix Grundy," says: 
"At the first step in his profession, he took rank with one Haywood and 
Whiteside, and as an advocate he rose in time far above competition, 
and challenged every age and every country to produce his peer. After 
his settlement in Nashville, it is said, out of 165 individuals whom he de- 
fended on charges of capital offenses, one only was finally condemned 
and executed. * * * jj^g name was a tower of strength 

to the accused, and his retainer a city of refuge. At his bidding prison 
doors flew open, and the captive leaped from his falling chains into the 
arms of his swooning wife. At the bar he was always dignified in his 
bearing, conciliatory in his address, Saxon in his diction, and never 
stooping to coarseness in his allusions. His speeches not only breathed 
a high tone of morality, but the purer essence of religion. He was fa- 
miliar with the Bible and perhaps drew from it the sparks that kindled 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 731 

into the boldest imagery that ever shed a luster on the bar. Although 
he sometimes indulged a pungent humor and a caustic wit, he ever held 
a resort to vituperation and abuse as dishonorable as the chewed bullets 
and poisoned arrows of savage warfare. I have sought in vain to find 
some clue to the secret of his success." Doubtless his earnestness, com- 
mand of words, his pictures from nature, his consciousness of his own 
strength, his ability to read human nature and power to portray charac- 
ter had much to do with it. On December 4, 1811, Mr. Grundy became 
a member of Congress where he remained for two terms, positively refus- 
ing to accept the nomination in 1815. This was during the period of 
tlie second war with Great Britain, when great questions were de- 
bated and there were great men to discuss them, i. e., Clay, Webster, Cal- 
houn, Randolph and others. 

The interval from 1815 to 1819 Mr. Grundy spent in building up his 
profession and his fortune. In 1819 he became a member of the State 
Legislature, where he remained for six years. While a member of the 
Legislature he, with Mr. William L. Brown, was made a member of a 
committee with unlimited power to settle the very delicate question of 
the boundary line between Tennessee and Kentucky. This question had 
caused some bitterness between the sister States but was amicably settled 
February 2, 1820. At a called session of the Legislature of 1820 to de- 
vise some means to release the public from financial distress, Mr. Grun- 
dy was the author and successful advocate of a bank, founded exclusively 
upon the funds of the State. On the death of those two eminent states- 
men, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, on July 4, 1826, Mr. Grundy 
was chosen to deliver the funeral oration for the State. The effort was 
one worthy of the occasion. Following the election of Gen. Jackson to 
the presidency came the election of Felix Grundy to the United States 
Senate. He was re-elected in 1833 and served in that body till 1838. He 
was a member of the committee, with the great "Pacificator," which 
shaped the compromise tariff bill of 1833. He was made Attorney-Gen- 
eral of the United States in September, 1838, by appointment of Mr. Van 
Buren. He resigned this ofiice in 1810 and was again elected to the 
United States Senate, but his death occurred before taking his seat. In 
1810 Mr. Grundy took a very active part in the presidential campaign of 
that year in favor of Martin Van Buren against Gen. Harrison. Al- 
though suffering from physical infirmity, he entered into the canvass 
with all the ardor of his youth and in the full vigor of his great intellect. 
He survived this work but a short time. At 1 o'clock of Saturday after- 
noon, December 19, 1810, was witnessed the closing of the earthly- 
career of this great man. 



732 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Huerli Lawson "White was the son of Gen. James White, one of the 
earliest pioneers of East Tennessee, and in many respects a remarkable 
man. Gen. White was born of Irish parentage, and spent the early part 
of his life in North Carolina, where in 1770 he married Mary Lawson. 
During the Bevolutionary war he served as a soldier from that State, but 
at its close removed with his family to Fort Chissel, Va. In 1787 he 
immigrated to Knox County, Tenn., and in 1792 laid the foundation of 
the present city of Knoxville. He was a member of the Franklin con- 
vention in 1785; of the Territorial Assembly in 1794, and the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1796. During the Creek war, although advanced in 
years, he served with distincton as brigadier-general of militia. Taken 
all in all he is one of the most conspicuous figures in the early history of 
East Tennessee. 

Hugh Lawson White was born October. 30, 1773, and was conse- 
quently a lad of fourteen when with his father he came into Tennessee. 
His early life was spent in hardy toil, with very limited facilities for ob- 
taining even the rudiments of an education. At the age of fifteen, however, 
by earnest effort, he had sufficiently advanced to take up the study of the 
ancient languages, which he did under the direction of Rev. Samuel 
Carrick, with some assistance from Judge Roane. His studies were soon in- 
terrupted by Indian hostilities, and he volunteered as a soldier under the 
leadership of John Sevier. In this campaign he distinguished himself, 
not only for bravery, but for strength and endurance. At the age of 
twenty he was appointed private secretary to Gov. Blount, with whom he 
remained until the close of his term of office. He then went to Phila- 
delphia where he took a course of study, after which he engaged in the 
study of law with James Hopkins of Lancaster, Penn. In 1796 he re- 
turned to Knoxville, and at once assumed a leading position at the bar. 
Eive years later, at the age of twenty-eight, he was elected judge of the su- 
perior court, then the highest judicial tribunal in the State. He resigned 
in 1807, and was elected to the State Senate. He was re-elected two 
years later, but did not serve the second term, as he was elected by the 
Legislature one of the judges of the supreme court. He continued in 
that capacity until December 31, 1814, when he again resigned. He 
had been elected president of the Bank of Tennessee in November, 1812, 
and from that time until July, 1827, he continued to direct the operations 
of that institution. In 1820, his health being impaired, he returned to 
his farm, but the country had need of his services, and he was not al- 
lowed to remain in seclusion. The next year he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Monroe one of the three commissioners to settle the claims under the 
treaty providing for the transfer of Florida from Spain to the United 




John Bell 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 733 

States. This occupied his time and attention for three years. In 1825 
he was elected to succeed Andrew Jackson in the United States Senate, 
and continued as a member o£ that body until 1840. 

During his senatorial career he delivered but few speeches of any 
considerable length. He usually spoke briefly and to the point, and his 
opinions were always received with marked respect. On most questions 
he was in harmony with the Democratic party. He opposed the Federal 
system of internal improvements, the rechartering of the United States 
Bank and the sub-treasury bill. He voted against the famous " expung- 
ing resolution" on constitutional grounds, but offered a set of resolutions 
in lieu of it. In 1836, through the influence of certain members of his 
party, he was prevailed upon to take a step which embittered the few re- 
maining years of his life. It had become evident that President Jackson 
wished to make Mr. Van Buren his successor in the presidential chair. 
This was distasteful to a large element of the party, especially in the 
South. In October, 1835, resolutions were passed by the General Assem- 
bly of Tennessee nominating Judge White for the presidency, and he 
finally consented to make the canvass. For this step he was bitterly de- 
nounced by President Jackson, Judge Grundy, Cave Johnson, James K. 
Polk and many others, heretofore strong friends. Yet with all the lead- 
ers of his own party in Tennessee against him, and with no chance of 
success, he carried the State by a majority of 10,000 votes — a magnificent 
testimonial to the high estimation in which he was held. The General 
Assembly of 1839-4:0, having passed certain resolutions of instruction to 
its senators in Congress, which the latter could not support. Judge White 
resigned his office and retired to private life. He died very soon after 
—April 10, 1840. 

In his domestic life he met with much afiiiction. In 1798 he married 
Miss Elizabeth M. Carrick, the daughter of Eev. Samuel Carrick, his 
' former instructor. To their union were born four sons and eight daugh- 
ters, two of whom died in infancy. Of the remainder eight died just at 
the threshold of adult life, and all within the short space of six years. 
His wife also died of the same desease, consumption, March 25, 1831. 
In November, 1832, Judge White was again married to Mrs. Ann E. 
Peyton, of Washington City, at whose house he had boarded for several 
years. 

John Bell was born about six miles from Nashville, Tenn., on Febru- 
ary 18, 1797. He was the son of a farmer, Samuel Bell, a man of mod- 
erate means, who gave him a good education at Cumberland College, 
then under the presidency of Dr. Priestly. His mothers maiden name 
was Margaret Edmiston, a native of Virginia. At the age of nineteen 



734 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

lie was admitted to the bar, and located at Franklin. The next year he 
was elected to the State Senate, in which body he served during that 
session, but declined a re-election. The next nine years he devoted ex- 
clusively to his profession. In 1826 he became the candidate for Con- 
gress against Felix Grundy, then in the zenith of his brilliant career, and 
was elected over his distinguished competitor by a majority of 1,000 
votes. He continued in Congress by re-election for fourteen years. At 
first he was an ardent advocate of free trade, but afterward changed his 
views and favored protection. He was made chairman of the Committee 
on the Judiciary when the "Force Bill" and the question of nullifica- 
tion were before the courts. Upon the question of the removal of the 
deposits of the United States Bank he took issue with President Jack- 
son, and in this breach great results were involved. Henceforth, Mr. 
Bell ceased to act with the Democratic party, and in 1834 he defeated 
James K. Polk for the speakership of the House. In 1836 he strongly 
advocated the election of Hugh L. White in opposition to Van Buren, 
and succeeded in carrying Tennessee for his candidate. In 1838 he voted 
against the resolution excluding anti- slavery petitions from Congress. 
For ten years he was chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, dur- 
ing which time the Cherokees were removed from Georgia. 

In 1841 he became Secretary of War under Harrison, but resigned 
in the fall of the same year upon the separation of Tyler from the 
Whig party. He was soon after offered a seat in the Senate by the Whig 
majority of the Tennessee General Assembly, but he declined an election 
in favor of Ephraim H. Foster. He remained in retirement until 1847, 
when he was elected to the State Senate, and during the same year was 
chosen to the United States Senate. He was re-elected in 1853. Dur- 
ing: his service in the Senate he delivered some of the most able and ex- 
haustive speeches ever listened to by that body. His speech on the war 
with Mexico was pronounped by Calhoun the ablest delivered upon the' 
subject. In 1860 he was nominated by the Constitutional Union party 
for the Presidency, with Edward Everett occupying the second place upon 
the ticket. They received the electoral vote of Virginia, Kentucky and 
Tennessee. When secession was proposed as the result of the election 
of Lincoln to the Presidency, Mr. Bell threw his whole influence for the 
preservation of the Union, but after the call for troops by President Lin- 
coln he took strong grounds for secession. He assumed the position 
that no ordinance of any kind was necessary to sever the connection of 
the State with the Federal Government, and that the Legislature wS,s 
alone competent to declare the Union dissolved and Tennessee an inde- 
pendent sovereignty: During the war he took no active part iu either 



f 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 735 

political or military affairs. After its close he was engaged in business 
until his death, which occurred at Cumberland Iron Works September 
18, 1869. 

In December, 1818, Mr. Bell was married to Miss Sally Dickinson, a 
daughter of David Dickinson, of Rutherford, and a granddaughter of 
Col. Hardy Murfree, of Revolutionary distinction. She was a woman of 
refinement and superior education. During her youth she attended one 
of the famous educational institutions of the Carolinas, making the jour- 
ney from her home, a distance of about 406 miles, on horseback. Among 
her schoolmates was Mrs. James K. Polk, who probably accomplished 
the journey in the same manner. Mrs. Bell died leaving four children, 
who yet survive. Mr. Bell was married a second time, about 1835, to 
Mrs. Jane Yeatman, a daughter of Mr. Ervin, of Bedford County, who 
survived her husband until 1876. She was an accomplished lady of re- 
markable intellectual vigor, of fascinating powers of conversation and 
possessing an energy of character quite phenomenal. For more than a 
quarter of a century she was a conspicuous and charming member of 
Washington society. She left two daughters, both of whom reside in 
Philadelphia. The home life of Mr. Bell was of the most pleasing char- 
acter. Whatever were the cares of the day, all were banished when he 
entered the sacred precincts of home. There his hours were passed in 
the kindly and sympathetic interchange of conversation upon domestic 
topics and the news of the day, varied at times with instructive discus- 
sions upon more important themes. There was no affectation of supe- 
rior wisdom ; no claim made or even suggested for deference to him or 
his opinions. He was natural and simple as a child, and affectionate as 
a woman. A pure, chaste man, no scandal ever smirched his reputation. 
Late in life he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and while 
residing in Georgia, during the civil war, he spent much time in reading 
the Bible. 

As a statesman it is doubtful if Tennessee has produced another man 
his equal. " He resembled Halifax, as described by Macauley, as one who 
always saw passing events, not in the point of view in which they commonly 
appear to one who bears a part in them, but in the point of view in which 
after the lapse of many years they appear to the philosophic historian." 
His love and devotion to his native State was one of his leading traits, 
and he loved to be called "John Bell of Tennessee," sometimes using the 
phrase himself in his popular addresses. 

Cave Johnson was one of the most distinguished men of Ten- 
nessee. He was the second son of Thomas and Mary (Noel) Johnson, 
and was born January 11, 1793. Thomas Johnson's father was Henry 



736 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Johnson, who removed from Pennsylvania to North Carolina during the 
war of the Revolution, in which he served as a private soldier. Arriv- 
ing in North Carolina he settled near Salisbury where he resided until 
1796, when he removed to Robertson County, Tenn., and located two and 
a half miles east of Springfield. Some time afterward he moved three 
miles south of Springfield to Karr's Creek, where he died in 1815. He 
married Miss Rachel Holman, who died about the same time as her hus- 
band. They were the parents of nine children: William, Thomas, 
Henry, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob V., Rebecca, Mary and Rachel. Thomas 
Johnson was born July 4, 1766, and settled in Robertson County in 
1789 as a surveyor. The next year he was married to Mary Noel, at 
Craig's Station, Ky., and took her to Robertson County in 1790. Cave 
Johnson, their second son, was named after Rev. Richard Cave, a Baptist 
minister in Kentucky, who is believed to have been a brother of Mrs. 
Thomas Johnson's mother. Their other children were Cave, who died 
in infancy in 1791 ; Henry Minor, born in 1795 ; Taylor Noel, born in 
1797 ; Nancy, born in 1799; Willie Blount, born in 1801, and Joseph Noel, 
born in 1803. Cave Johnson was born three miles east of Springfield, 
January 11, 1793. He was sent to the academy about two miles east 
of Nashville, then under the control of George Martin. In 1807 he was 
sent to Mount Pleasant Academy on Station Camp Creek, in Sumner 
County, then under the control of John Hall, where he remained a year, 
when he was sent to Cumberland College, now the University of Nash- 
ville. Here he remained until the troops of the State were called to 
Mississippi in 1811. With his college mates he formed a volunteer com- 
pany of which he was elected captain, and whose services he tendered to 
Gen. Jackson, to accompany him to Mississippi. The General declined 
their services on account of their youth and advised them to continue 
their studies, which from necessity they did, though not without deep 
mortification on their part and severe denunciation of Gen. Jackson on the 
part of some of them. In /the summer of 1812 he commenced the study 
of law with William M. Cooke, a profound lawyer, a most estimable gen- 
tleman and then one of the judges of the supreme court. He continued 
with Mr. Cooke until the fall of 1813, when his father's brigade was 
called upon to join Gen. Jackson in the Creek Nation. He accompanied 
his father in the capacity of deputy brigade quartermaster during the 
campaigns of 1813 and 1814, and in May, 1814, returned home, the In- 
dians having been subdued and peace restored. He continued his study 
of the law with P. W. Humphreys, on Yellow Creek, and toward the lat- 
ter part of the year obtained his license to practice law, and commenced 
the practice full of hope and confident of success. 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 737 

He was at that time strongly impressed with the belief that his first 
duty was to get him a wife, fully satisfied that his success in his chosen 
profession would enable him to support a family. He therefore paid his 
addresses to Miss Elizabeth Dortch, who was then in her fifteenth year, 
and was by her, as he says, "very properly rejected." By this rejection 
he was deeply mortified and caused to resolve that he would never ad- 
dress another lady. He then devoted himself to his profession. In the 
fall of 1817, he was elected attorney-general by the Legislature sitting at 
Knoxville upon the nomination of W. C. Conrad, but without any effort 
of his own. From this time he devoted himself with great assiduity to 
his profession until 1828 when he was elected to Congress, succeedino- 
Dr. J. Marable, who had been the member for some years. He was re- 
elected to Congress without opposition in 1831. In 1833 he was ao-ain 
the candidate and was elected over both his competitors, Gen. Eichard 
Cheatham and Dr. John H. Marable, notwithstanding strenuous efforts 
were made for his defeat. In 1835 he was again elected over William 
K Turner by a very large majority. In 1837 he was defeated by Gen. 
Cheatham by a majority of ninety votes. After this defeat he resumed 
the practice of the law, and beginning to think seriously of the folly of 
his youthful resolution against matrimony. Miss Elizabeth Dortch had 
married a Mr. Brunson in 1817, and in 1826 became a widow with three 
children. Mr. Johnson's early attachment for this lady revived and they 
were married February 20, 1838. The election of Augast, 1839, resulted 
in returning Mr. Johnson to Congress by a majority of 1,496. In 184:1 
he was again elected to Congress without opposition. In 1843 he was 
opposed by but elected over G. A. Henry by nearly 300 votes. In 1844 
James K. Polk was elected President of the United States, and at the 
close of Mr, Johnson's term in Congress invited him to take charge of 
the Postoffice Department, which he did and served as Postmaster-General 
four years. Soon after this Mrs. Johnson died of cancer in the breast. 
During the canvass prior to the elections of 1853, Judge Mortimer A. 
Martin, of the circuit court died, and Mr. Johnson was appointed judo-e 
pro tern., and served until Judge Pepper was selected to fill the vacancy. 
Mr. Johnson was then appointed president of the Bank of Tennessee, en- 
tered upon the duties of that ofiice in January, 1854, and served six 
years. In January, 1860, he removed from Nashville to his home and 
remained there most of the summer. On the 8th of June, 1860, he was 
appointed by President Buchanan commissioner on the part of the United 
States under the convention with Paraguay for the adjustment of the 
claims of the United States and Paraguay Navigation Company. On this 
commission he was engaged nearly three months. 



738 HISTOEY OP TENNESSEE. 

In 1S61, when the question of secession first came up to be acted 
upon, Mr. Johnson urged the people to stand by the Union. During the 
war he remained quietly at his home taking no part in the troubles be- 
tween the two sections of the country, except to express his opinions on 
public men and public measures, his opinions, however, after the break- 
ing out of the war, being uniformly in favor of the Southern Confederacy. 
In 18 G5 he was required to give reasons why he should not be sent within 
the Confederate lines, which reasons being satisfactory to Gen. Thomas 
he was allowed to remain quietly at his home. On the 19th of August, 
1865, he was pardoned by Andrew Johnson, President of the United 
States. In the spring of 18GG he was elected by the counties of Eobert- 
son, Montgomery and Stewart their senator in the General Assembly of 
the State, but by that body refused admission as such senator. His 
death occurred November 23, 1806, By his marriage with Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Brunson he had three children: Hickman Johnson, T. D. Johnson, 
and Polk G. Johnson, all of whom served the Confederacy in the great 
civil war. 

James Knox Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C, Novem- 
ber 2, 1795. He was the eldest of a family of ten children — six sons and 
four daughters — born to the marriage of Samuel Polk and Jane Knox. 
His paternal ancestors were emigrants from Ireland in the early part of 
the eighteenth century. They settled upon the eastern shores of Mary- 
land. The branch from which James K. descended removed first to 
Pennsylvania, and about 1735 to North Carolina. There his great-uncle. 
Col. Thomas Polk, and his grandfather, Ezekiel Polk, took a prominent 
part in the convention which adopted the Mecklenburg Declaration in 
1775. In 1806 Samuel Polk with his family immigrated to Maury 
County, and was soon after followed by nearly all of the Polk family. 
He located up on Duck River, where he obtained possession of a large 
body of land, which gradually increasing in value, made him one of the 
wealthiest men of the county. 

His wife was a superior woman of fine practical sense, who trained 
her children to habits of punctuality and industry, and inspired in them 
a love of morality. Young James early evinced a great desire and 
capacity for learning, and having secured the elements of an education 
at home and in the neighborhood school, in 1813 entered the Murfrees- 
boro Academy, from which, in 1815, he entered the sophomore class of 
the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. From this institution, 
after three more years of diligent application, he graduated with the 
highest honors. He then entered upon the study of law in the office of 
Felix Grundy, of Nashville, with whom he remained until he had com- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 739 

pletecl his legal education. After his admittance to the bar he returned 
to Columbia and opened an office; as he was thoroughly equipped for 
the profession and well prepared to meet all of its responsibilities, it was 
but a short time until he was recognized as a leader both at the bar and 
on the stump. 

In 1823 he was chosen to represent his county in the lower house of 
the General Assembly, and in the fall of 1825, after a vigorous cam- 
paign, was elected a member of Congress. During the next four years 
he was an active opponent of the measures proposed by President 
Adams. He had long been a close friend of Gen. Jackson, and when 
the latter was elected President he became the leader of the administra- 
tive party. He opposed the Federal system of internal improvements, 
the rechartering of the United States Bank and the protective tariff law. 
Indeed, he was in such perfect accord with Jackson and carried out his 
plans so faithfully that he was accused of being servilely dependent upon 
the President. While such a charge was entirely without foundation, it 
is not improbable that his relations with Gen. Jackson had much influ- 
ence upon his career. He continued in Congress for fourteen consecu- 
tive years, during the last four years of which he filled the speaker's 
chair. He withdrew March 4, 1839, and soon after began a vigorous 
campaign for the office of governor. He was elected, but before he had 
completed his first term the great Whig victory was gained, and at the 
next two gubernatorial elections he was defeated. In 1844 the annexa- 
tion of Texas was the most important question before the public, and Mr. 
Polk's position, as an advocate of the measure, had much to do with his 
nomination for the presidency in that year. After a campaign, based 
mainly upon that question, he was chosen over Henry Clay by a majority 
of sixty-five electoral vote&. Before his inauguration the great ques- 
tion of annexation had been settled, but the difficulty with Mexico was 
thereby begun, and the greater part of his administration was occupied 
in considering questions connected with the war with that country. 
Other important measures of his term of office were the admission of 
Iowa and Wisconsin into the Union, the passage of the low tariff law 
of 184G, the establishment of the department of the interior, and the 
settlement of the northwestern boundary question. Having retired from 
the presidency in March, 1849, he returned to Nashville, where he had 
previously purchased the property since known as Polk Place. There 
his death occurred June 15, 1849. 

Mr. Polk was not a man of great brilliancy of intellect, and possessed 
little imagination, yet he was lively and sociable in his disposition, and 
had the rare power of communicating his own enthusiasm to those with 



710 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

whom lie came iu coutact He was well versed in human nature, and 
possessed a memory of remarkable retentiveness ; while he did not pos- 
sess the force of character of Jackson, the rugged native ability of 
Andj-ew Johnson, nor the far-seeing statesmanship of John Bell, he was 
distinguished for shrewdness, quickness of perception, firmness of pur- 
pose and untiring energy. 

In his selection of a companion for life he was peculiarly fortunate. 
In January, 1824, he married Miss Sarah Childress, a daughter of Capt. 
Joel Childress, of Rutherford County, Tenn. She was only fifteen years 
of age at that time, a lady of rare beauty and culture. She accompanied 
her husband to Washington when he entered Congress in 1825, and was 
with him, with the exception of one winter, during his entire eighteen 
years' residence in that city. Since the death of Mr. Polk she has 
resided at Polk Place, but has seldom appeared in society. 

William Gannaway Brownlow was the eldest son of Joseph A. Brown- 
low, who was born and raised in Rockbridge County, Va., and died in 
Sullivan County, Tenn., in 1816. The father was a man of good sense and 
sterling integrity, and served in a Tennessee company during the war of 
1812. Two of his brothers were at the battle of the Horseshoe, and two 
others died in the naval service. His wife was Catharine Gunnaway, 
also a native of Virginia, who was left at her husband's death with five 
helpless children. She survived him, however, less than three months. 

William was born in Wythe County, Ya., August 29, 1805, and con- 
sequently was only about eleven years of age when his parents died. He 
was taken by his mother's relatives, by whom he was reared to hard labor 
until he was eighteen years old, when he removed to Abingdon, Va., and 
apprenticed himself to a house carpenter. He early education had been 
imperfect and irregular, and after completing his apprenticeship he 
labored until he acquired the means of again going to school. He after- 
ward entered the traveling ministry of the Methodist Church, and trav- 
eled for ten years without intermission, all the time studying and improv- 
ing his limited education. 

In 1828 he began to take an active part in the politics of Tennessee, 
advocating the re-election of John Quincy Adams to the Presidency. He 
seemed to have a natural love for controversy, and while the vigorous 
sectarian discussions of that day were congenial to him, he found a bet- 
ter field for his peculiar talents in politics than in the ministry. In 
either position he was fearless in the expression of his opinion, and in 
1832, while traveling a circuit in South Carolina in which John C. Cal- 
houn lived, he publicly denounced nullification. In 1837 he began the 
publication of the Whig at Jonesboro, but in a short time removed to 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 741 

Knoxville, where he soon secured for it a very large circulation. In 
1843 he became a candidate for Congress against Andrew Johnson, but 
was defeated. In 1850 he was appointed by Fillmore one of the several 
commissioners to carry out the congressional j^rovisions for the improve- 
ment of the navigation of the Tennessee Biver. 

For thirty years preceding the civil war he participated in nearly 
every political and religious controversy which occurred, and became 
widely known as the "Fighting Parson." In 1856 he wrote a book en- 
titled "The Great Iron Wheel Examined and its False Spokes Ex- 
tracted," it being a vindication of the Methodist Church against the 
attacks of Kev. J. Pi. Graves, in a work called "The Great Iron Wheel." 
Tavo years later he was engaged in a debate upon the slavery question in 
Philadelphia with Eev, Abram Pryne, of New York, in which he de- 
fended the institution of slavery as it existed in the South. Although a 
strong pro-slavery man, his love for the Union was intense, and when 
the secession movement of 1860 began he severely denounced it. Even 
after troops began to pass through Knoxville he did not in the least 
abate his denunciations, and kept a Federal flag floating over his house. 
In October, 1861, his influence had become so dangerous to the cause of 
the Confederacy in East Tennessee that the publication of his paper was 
suspended and the offi.ce outfit destroyed. He was forced to leave the 
town and seek safety in the mountains. After remaining in seclusion 
for three or four weeks he was induced to return upon the promise of 
the Confederate authorities, that he should be sent within the Union 
line. This promise was violated, however, and on December 6, upon a 
warrant issued by J. C Ramsay, Confederate States District Attorney, 
he was arrested and placed in jail where he remained until January 1, 
when he became seriously ill. On the order of his physician he was 
then moved to his home, where he remained under a strong guard until 
March 2. He was then sent with an escort to Nashville, then in posses- 
sion of the Federal forces. After remaining a short time he went on a 
tour through the Northern States, visiting several of the large cities and 
delivering addresses to large audiences. In April, 1862, his wife and 
family were also sent out of the Confederacy, and remained in the North 
until after the occupation of East Tennessee by Gen. Burnside in the fall 
of 1863. Mr. Brownlow then returned to Knoxville, and in November 
of that year resumed the publication of his paper. On March 4, 1865, 
he was elected governor, and in August, 1867, re-elected, defeating Em- 
erson Etheridge. Before the expiration of his second term he was elected 
to a seat in the United States Senate, in which body he served from 
March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1875. During the greater part of that time 



742 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

lie was a confirmed invalid, and had to be carried to and from his seat in 
the Senate chamber. At the close of his term, he returned to Knoxville 
where after an illness of only a few hours he died April 29, 1877. 

Gov. Brownlow was a unique character. He can be compared with 
no other man. He was made up of antagonistic qualities, yet no one was 
ever more consistent in his course of action. In his political animosities 
and religious controversies he was bitter and unrelenting. He Avas a 
master of epithets and a reservoir of sarcasm. In his choice of a word 
he cared nothing except that it should reach its mark, and it rarely failed. 
In private life to his friends and neighbors he was ever polite, kind and 
charitable. A friend said of him: "The heart of the fearless politician, 
who in excitement hurled the thunderbolts of burning invective at his 
antagonists, and was willing even in his zeal temporarily to lay aside his 
religious creed and enforce arguments with something stronger than 
words, could bleed in the presence of a child's grief. Nothing in his 
career seemed to alienate him from the affections of his neighbors and 
friends. They overlooked and forgave the faults springing from his 
impetuous nature, for they knew something of the heart which beat 
"within." 

Shadrack Forrest, the great-grandfather of Gen. Forrest, was of 
English extraction, and moved from West Virginia, about 1730, to 
Orange County, N. C. Nathan Forrest, grandfather of N. B. Forrest, 
left North Carolina about 180G, and settled with his large family for a 
time in Sumner County, but soon after moved to Bedford County. Nathan 
Forrest married a Miss Baugh, a lady of Irish descent. The eldest son 
of this marriage was AVilliam Forrest, the father of the subject of this 
sketch. William Forrest married Mariam Beck in 1800. Mr. and Mrs. 
Forrest were the parents of seven sons and three daughters. The young- 
est son, J. Forrest, was born after the death of the father. In 1835 
William Forrest moved with his family to near Salem, Tippah County, in 
the northern part of Mississippi. This country had been recently opened 
to immigrants by a treaty with the Chickasaw Indians. Here William 
Forrest died in 1837, and left N. B. the care of his widowed mother and 
her large family of little children. By that diligence and energy that 
characterized his whole life he soon succeeded in placing the family above 
want. His opportunities for an education were very limited, barely cov- 
ering the rudiments of the elementary branches. In 1840 he lost two of 
his brothers and his sisters of disease, and came near dying himself. In 
1841 he joined Capt. Wallace Wilson's company to go to Texas to assist 
in the cause of freedom there. The expedition was badly managed, and 
the majority of the men returned from New Orleans. A few of the num- 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 743 

ber, however, went on to Austin to find no employment and that their 
services were not needed. He returned home to pass through a very 
severe spell of sickness. 

In 1842 he engaged in business with his uncle at Hernando, Miss. 
He became engaged in an affray with three brothers, Maleck, for espous- 
ing the cause of his uncle. He alone fought and defeated them, but his 
uncle was killed. J. K. Moore, a lawyer, was killed while riding in 
company with Gen. Forrest by a desperado named Dyson. Forrest's life 
was threatened, but his courage and revolver saved him. September 25, 
1825, Gen. Forrest married Mary Ann Montgomery, a distant relative of 
him who fell at Quebec in 1775. In 1849 he met with financial reverses 
in Hernando, but instead of despairing he only redoubled his exertions. 
He came near losing his life in 1852 in the explosion of the steam-boat 
"Farmer" within a few miles of Galveston. In 1852 he moved to Mem- 
phis and began dealing in real estate ; he also dealt largely in slaves. 
He was elected alderman of the city in 1857, and re-elected in 1859. By 
1859 he had accumulated a good fortune, and in 1861 he had several large 
plantations, and raised his 1,000 bales of cotton. On the outbreak of the war 
he volunteered as a private in Capt. J. S.White's company, on June 14, 1861. 
In July Forrest was asked by Gov. Harris and Gen. Polk to recruit a 
regiment for the cavalry service. This he proceeded at once to do. On 
July 20 he went to Louisville, where he procured a partial outfit for 
his men, consisting of 500 Colt's revolvers, 100 saddles and other sup- 
plies. The regiment was organized at Memphis, in October, 1861, by 
electing N. B. Forrest, lieutenant-colonel; D. C. Kelley, major; C. A. 
Schuyler, adjutant; Dr. S. M. Van Wick, surgeon, and J. P. Strong, 
sergeant-major. The regiment consisted in the aggregate of 650 men, 
organized into eight companies. The first fighting done by Col. Forrest 
was in Kentucky. His men attacked and defeated the gun-boat "Cones- 
toga" in the Cumberland Kiver, near Canton, Ky. A superior force 
of the enemy was defeated at Sacramento by a brilliant charge. He 
joined the forces at Fort Donelson on the 12th. He contributed largely 
to what success there was connected with that unfortunate affair, and suc- 
ceeded in bringing away his regiment with little loss. He displayed 
great ability here. He next covered the retreat from Nashville. 

On the 6th and 7th of April he was present at the battle of Shiloh. 
Forrest, who was now colonel, contributed as much to the success of that 
battle as any other man. His regiment was the last to leave the field. 
In a charge near the close of that engagement he was wounded. From 
Pittsburg Landing to Corinth the regiment was engaged almost daily. 
Forrest made a brilliant dash and captured Murfreesboro, with a garrison 



744 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

equal to liis whole force. He captured pickets around Nashville and 
took part in the campaign in Kentucky. He made a raid through West 
Tennessee, and returned in time to take part in the battle of Stone River. 
He was almost daily engaged in skirmishing in Middle and East Ten- 
nesse till the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863. He 
was next sent to the Army of Northern Mississippi. He then entered 
West Tennessee with a few- men, and in a short time had increased his 
force to about 3,500. Engagements were fought at Somerville, Tenn., De- 
cember 26; at Colliersville, December 27; at West Point, Miss., Febru- 
ary, 1864; at Paducah, Ky., March 25; at Fort Pillow, April 12; at Bol- 
ivar, May 2; at Tishomingo Creek, June 10; at Harrisburg, Miss., July 
14; at Town Creek, July 15; at Oxford, Miss., in the early part of 
August; at Memphis, August 21, and in the raid through Middle Ten- 
nessee and the capture of Athens, Ala. In Hood's advance into Ten- 
nessee Forrest joined him at Florence, Ala. From the time of crossing 
the Tennessee to the recrossing of that stream in that disastrous cam- 
paign his men were in thirteen engagements. Had Forrest's advice been 
followed at Franklin, November 30, the fruits of that victory would have 
been attained without its terrible cost. 

To his skill in covering the retreat, and advice in its management, 
was the army saved from greater rout. After the retreat of Hood from 
Tennessee Forrest was engaged at Centerville, Ala., March 31, 1865, and 
at Ebenezer Church April 1. His forces were engaged in the defense of 
Selma, as a cover for Mobile. April 2 closed his military career, on the 
fall of Selma. Few men ever made so brilliant a military record in so 
short a time. Without book knowledge he made a study of men, and 
took in the military situation of the country at a glance. His dash, un- 
tiring energy, industry and power of endurance were remarkable. He 
had the happy faculty of inspiring his men with confidence in himself as 
a leader. He seemed to grasp the most minute details of an army and 
its wants, and had a wonderful fertility of resource. He seldom if ever 
blundered, and never failed to extricate his men from the most perilous 
positions. It might be questioned whether Forrest could have succeeded 
so well with a large body of men, or in other words whether he had the 
capacity for maneuvering large bodies. To this it jnay be answered that 
he made no mistakes, whether commanding a battalion of a few hundred 
or a division of 5,000 men. His quick fiery temper suited him for a 
cavalry leader rather than for the leader of the more sluggish infantry 
columns. Had all other commanders been as successful as was Gen. 
Forrest the result would have been very different. He was made a briga- 
dier-general in 1862, a major-general in 1863 and a lieutenant-general. 



HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 745 

early in 1865. He laid aside his arms as quickly and quietly as he had 
taken them up. At the close of the war he returned to his home, accepted 
the situation, and did his best to heal the wounds left hj the war. Before 
his death he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
in which faith he died. 

Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth President of the United States, 
was born in Kaleigh, N. C, December 29, 1808. His father, Jacob 
Johnson, who died in 1812, was city constable, sexton of a church and 
porter of the State bank. Extreme poverty prevented Andrew fi'om re- 
ceiving any education, and at the age of ten he was apprenticed to Mr. 
Selby, a tailor. In 1824, a short time before the expiration of his ap- 
prenticeship, having committed some little misdemeanor, he ran away 
and went to Laurens Court House, S. C. He obtained work as a journey- 
man and remained there until May, 1826, when he returned to Ealeigh. 
During the following September, accompanied by his mother, he came to 
Tennessee and located at Greeneville, where in a short time he married. 

Up to this time his education was limited to reading, but under his 
wife's tuition he learned to write and cipher. In 1828, taking an interest 
in politics, he organized a workingmen's party in opposition to the aris- 
tocratic element, which had before controlled the town of Greeneville. 
He was elected alderman, and two years later was made mayor. During 
this time a village debating society was formed, and he took a prominent 
part in its discussions, manifesting much of the ability which he after- 
ward displayed. In 1835 he offered himself as a candidate for a seat in 
the lower house of the General Assembly, and after a vigorous canvass 
was elected. During the following session his opposition to the internal 
improvement bill temporarily lost him his popularity, and at the next 
election he was defeated. Succeeding events, however, proved his views 
to have been correct, and in 1839 he was returned to the Legislature. 
From this time forth he was almost continuously in public life. He was 
an elector for the State at large on the Van Buren ticket in 1840, and in 
1841 was elected to the State Senate. Two years later \\q took his seat 
in Congress as representative from the First District of Tennessee, a 
position which he continued to hold by re-election for ten years. During 
this time he advocated the annexation of Texas, the war with Mexico and 
the tariff of 1846. 

In 1853 he was elected governor of Tennessee over G. A. Henry, the 
Whig candidate, and again in 1855 over Meredith P. Gentry, after one 
of the most exciting campaigns ever witnessed. In December, 1857, he 
took his seat in the United States Senate, to which he had been elected 
by the Legislature of Tennessee. He soon distinguished himself as the 



746 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

advocate of the homestead law, which was vetoed by President Buchanan.. 
Although he usually voted with the Southern members on the slavery 
question, he was not strongly in sympathy with them. In the canvass of 
1860 he supported Breckinridge and Lane, but when secession was openly 
proposed he opposed it with all of his ability. This caused many of his 
former adherents to denounce him as a traitor to his State and party, and 
in almost every city in the State he was burned in effigy. March 4, 1862,. 
he was nominated military governor of Tennessee by President Lincoln,, 
and on the 12th of the same month he arrived in Nashville. He con- 
tinued as military governor until March, 1865, when he was succeeded 
by William G. Brownlow. 

On June 7, 1864, the Republican Convention at Baltimore nominated 
him for the vice-presidency, and on the 4th of the March following h& 
was inaugurated. Upon the assassination of President Lincoln he im- 
mediately took the oath of office and entered upon his duties as Presi- 
dent. From his public utterances it had been inferred that he would 
treat the Southern leaders with great severity, but his course was quite 
the reverse, and then began the difficulty between himself and Congress 
which ended in his impeachment trial. After a long contest he was 
finally acquitted, on a vote of thirty -five for conviction to nineteen for 
acquittal. 

At the Democratic Convention of 1868 he was a candidate for nomi- 
nation for the Presidency, but received little support. In March, 1869, 
he returned to his home at Greeneville, Tenn., and the next year be- 
came a candidate for the United States Senate. He lacked two votes of 
an election. In 1872 he was a candidate for congressman at large, but 
dividing the vote of, his party with B. P. Cheatham was defeated by 
Horace Maynard. In January, 1875, he was elected to the United States 
Senate for the full term of six years, and at the extra session in March, of 
that year, took his seat. He died suddenly of paralysis on July 31, 1875, 
at the residence of his daughter in Carter County, Tenn. Mr. John- 
son was essentially combative in his temperament, and was rather im- 
patient of opposition. That he had the courage of his convictions is 
evident from his course at the beginning of the war, when for a South- 
ern Democrat to champion the cause of the Union was to sacrifice both 
friends and reputation. ~ He cannot be said to have enjoyed, to any 
great degree, the personal good-will and esteem of his fellow-citizens, 
but he never failed to inspire their confidence and respect. He possessed 
no personal magnetism, wit nor brilliancy, and his countenance usually^ 
wore an expression bordering on sadness. 

The following by one of his colleagues in Congress is a fitting tribute 



HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 747 

to his character: "If I were to write the epitaph of Andrew Johnson, I 
would inscribe on the stone which shall mark his last resting place, 
" Here lies the man who was in the public service for forty years, who 
never tried to deceive his countrymen, and died as he lived, an honest 
man — ' the noblest work of God.' " 

Gen. Felix Kirk Zollicoffer was born in Maury County, Tenn., May 17, 
1812, and was the son of John J. and Martha (Kirk) Zollicoffer. The 
father was a native of North Carolina. He was descended from an il- 
lustrious Swiss family, which included several of the most distinguished 
military men, divines and scholars of that nation. Several centuries ago 
three Zollicoffer brothers were granted a patent of nobility on account of 
distinguished service rendered to the Government, and from them de- 
scended the Zollicoffers of Switzerland and of America. The latter branch 
of the family immigrated to this country probably near the close of the 
seventeenth century. 

Gen. Zollicoffer, after having received such an education as the 
schools of his native county afforded, learned the printer's trade, and at 
the age of seventeen, in company with two other young men, began the 
publication of a paper at Paris, Tenn. Their enterprise proving a fail- 
ure young Zollicoffer went to Knoxville, where he found employment and 
remained until 1834, when he removed to Huntsville, Ala. He was em- 
ployed at that place in the office of the Southern Mercury for a short 
time, after which he returned to Maury County and located at Columbia, 
taking charge of the Observer. On September 24, 1835, he was united 
in marriage with Louisa P. Gordon, of Hickman County, a daughter of 
the brave Indian scout, Col. John Gordon. The next year he volunteered 
as a soldier, and served with the Tennessee troops during the Seminole war. 
In the early part of 1837 he returned and resumed his connection with the 
Observer, of which he continued the editor until after the campaign of 
1840, strongly opposing the election of Mr. Yan Buren: As editor of 
the Nashville Banner, he entered upon his duties January 3, 1842, and at 
once made a decided impression. During the gubernatoi'ial campaign of 
the following year he contributed much to the election of James C. Jones 
over James K. Polk. For some time he had been a sufferer from an 
aneurism of the aorta, that daily threatened his life, and after the elec- 
tion he retired from the editorial chair. On the 1st of November follow- 
ing he was elected by the Legislature comptroller of the State, a position 
he continued to hold by re-election until 1849. In August of that year 
he was chosen to represent Davidson County in the State Senate, and 
during the session made himself one of the leaders of that body. 

In January, 1851, he again connected himself with the Banner. 



7J:8 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

He succeeded in inducing Gen. William B. Campbell to accept the 
nomination for governor, and the brilliant victory which was secured 
was due more largely to his efforts than to those of any other man. The 
result of this canvass added greatly to the influence of Gen. ZoUicoffer. 

The next year occurred the contest for the Presidency between Gens. 
Scott and Pierce. Gen. ZoUicoffer had favored the nomination of Mil- 
lard Fillmore, and attended the National Convention at Baltimore to 
advocate it, but when Gen. Scott was chosen as the leader of the Whigs 
he supported him with his accustomed vigor and ability, and, although 
the candidate was decidedly unpopular with the Whig party, Tennessee 
was brought to his support. 

On April 20, 1853, having received the Whig nomination for Con- 
gress in his district, he severed, for the last time, his connection with the 
press. He was elected after a brilliant canvass and served for three suc- 
cessive terms. He then voluntarily retired to private life. During the 
early part of 1861 Gen. ZoUicoffer did all in his power to prevent the 
dissolution of the Union, and was a member of the Peace Conference at 
Washington, but after the call for troops by President Lincoln he es- 
poused the cause of the South and advocated secession. Upon the organ- 
ization of the State military Gov. Harris called him to his aid, and com- 
missioned him brigadier-general. He Avas placed in command of the forces 
in East Tennessee, where, during the fall of 1861, he gathered an army of 
about 4,000 men and took part at Cumberland Ford. Opposed to him 
were about double that number of troops under Gen. Thomas. On Jan- 
uary 19, 1862, deceived as to the strength and position of the enemy he 
unfortunately ordered an attack, and during the engagement was killed. 
Yarious accounts of the death of Gen. ZoUicoffer have been published, 
but the most authentic is about as follows : 

Gen. ZoUicoffer while inspecting his lines found himself between a 
Mississippi regiment and the Fourth Kentucky Federal Ptegiment under 
Col. Fry, who was about to lead them in a charge upon the Confederate 
lines. Gen. ZoUicoffer thinking the latter regiment a part of his own 
command, accompanied by his aid, rode up to Col. Fry and said: "You 
are not going to fight your friends, are you? These men" (pointing to 
the Mississippi regiment), "are all your friends." In the meantime 
ZoUicoffer's aid, perceiving their mistake, fired at Col. Fry, killing his 
horse. Col. Fry sprang to his feet and fired at Gen. ZoUicoffer, killing 
him instantly. The troops thus deprived of their trusted leader retreated 
in confusion. Gen. ZoUicoffer left a family of six daughters, five of 
whom are still living. Mrs. ZoUicoffer died in 1857. 



GILES COUNTY. 749 



GILES COUNTY. 



THE surface of Giles County is mucli brolien and very rough, being made up of wind- 
ing valleys and high ridges, some of which rise to a height of from 300 to 500 feet 
above the common level. The county is divided almost equally north and south by Rich- 
land Creek, the most important but not the largest stream in the county. This creek has 
a large, wide valley, which contains some of the richest farm land to be found anywhere 
in the State. Richland Creek has also many tributaries, each of which has its valley of 
fertile land. Elk River, the largest stream of the county, flows across the southeastern 
corner, receiving numerous creeks and branches. Sugar Creek, in the southwest part of 
the county, supplies splendid water-power for machinery. The water falls through a 
succession of cascades more than thirty feet within a distance of 100 yards, and it is 
cheaply utilized. Though called a creek, Richland is really a river, and was declared nav- 
igable by act of Legislature passed in 1809, the said act prohibiting the building of dams or 
other obstruction that would impede the passage of boats. The act was repealed in 1811, 
80 much as related to that above the shoals, at Pulaski. Other creeks are Big Creek, Lynn 
Creek, Robertson Fork, Weakley Creek, Haywood Creek, Buchanan Creek, Silver 
Creek, Indian Creek, Jenkins Creek, Bradshaw Creek, Shoal Creek, Little Shoal Creek 
and Leatherwood Creek, all of which are very good streams. The northern boundary of 
the county lies on Elk Ridge, an arm of the highlands. This ridge runs nearly east and 
west, dividing the waters of the Elk from those of Duck River, and cutting off the portion 
of the Central Basin of Middle Tennessee lying in Giles and Lincoln Counties. 

The geology of the county is simple and easily understood. The strata are horizontal, 
and, excepting the summits of the ridges, are mainly limestone. The ridges are capped 
with the lowest and flinty layers of the Lower Carboniferous Period, below which forma- 
tion, outcropping on the slopes and underlying the lowlands, are the limestones which 
belong to the Silurian Age. There is also a thin formation of black slate, called the black 
shale, in the county, which lies next below the sub-carboniferous strata and above the 
limestones, and is often mistaken as an indication of stone coal. All the soils in that part 
of the county which lie in the Central Basin are fertile. The hillsides and slopes of the 
ridges are very fertile and productive, and the amount of alluvial soil in the county, owing 
to the numerous streams, is great. The lands bordering on Elk River and Richland Creek 
are the best in the county for cotton. On Big Creek around Campbellsville the lands 
are very fertile, and continue so on to the south and east, but on the north and west they 
run into "barrens," on the highlands, where the laud is very thin. The products of the 
county are cotton, corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, hay, tobacco, Irish potatoes, sweet pota- 
toes, hops, grass and grass seeds, sorghum, all the different fruits and wine. 

The cereal products of the county in 1885 were as follows: Corn, 1,545,605 bushels; 
oats, 33,289 bushels; wheat, 190,205 bushels; rye, 5,020 bushels. During the same year the 
live-stock in the county was horses and mules, 11,123 head; cattle, 15,126 head; sheep, 
12,651 head; hogs, 46,762 head. In 1870 the county ranked first in the production of corn 
in the State, producing in that year 2,054,163 bushels of that product. In the same 
year 8,367 bales of cotton were produced in the county, and in 1885 between 12,000 and 
15,000. 

A treaty was made with the Chickasaw Indians in July, 1805, by which they ceded 
their claim to all lands north of Duck River and east of the Natches road as far as the ridge 
that divides the waters of Elk from those of Buffalo. This line passed through Giles 
County, entering it near the northwest corner, crossing the Lawrenceburg road at the 

47 



750 HISTOKY OF TENNESSEE. 

eight-mile post, passed four or live miles west of Pulaski, crossed Elk River about three 
miles above Prospect and the State line at Phillips' mill, leaving a considerable portion of 
the western and southwestern part of the county in the Chickasaw territory. 

Probably the first white men to penetrate and explore the forests and canebrakes of 
Giles County were the commissioners and their guard of citizens, who were sent to laj^ off 
a district fifty-five miles wide in the northern part of Middle Tennessee in satisfaction of 
land warrants issued by North Carolina to officers and soldiers of the Continental line, 
and also to lay off a tract of 25,000 acres south of said district, donated by said State to 
Gen. Greene. Among those to whom grants for land" lying in Giles County were issued 
were the following: Martin Armstrong, 5,000 acres; William P. Anderson, 540 acres; 
Stockley Donelson, 5,000 acres; Robert Fenner, 300 acres; John Haywood, 5,000 acres; 
Henry Montford, 200 acres; Phillips and Shepperd, 5,000 acres; George Simpson, 152 acres; 
Henry Shepperd, 2,000; Howell Tatum, 311 acres; Henry Toomer, 340 acres; George 
Breckenridge, 150 acres; George Shields, 252 acres; Sam Shields, 116 acres; John Dob- 
bins, 165 acres; James Reynolds, 5 acres; Charles Girard, 232 acres; James P. Tayloi-, 
640 acres; James Williams, 100 acres; JohnChilders, 300 acres; John Dougherty, 500 acres; 
John Reynolds, 300 acres; James Montgomery, 200 acres; John Strother, 95 acres; John 
Temple, 83 acres; Richard Hightower, 100 acres; John Hughes, 50 acres; James Temple, 
300 acres, and John Armstrong, 5,000 acres. 

The first permanent settlement in the county was made in about 1805, on Elk River, 
near the mouth of Richland Creek, and in the neighborhoods of the present towns of 
Elkton and Prospect, one of which lies above and the other below the mouth of said 
creek, by William Crowson, his four sons and son-in-law, Vincent, Thomas Whitson, 
Jordan Word, James Ford, James Wilkerson, Parish Sims, Thomas Dodd, John Rey- 
nolds, William Jenkins, Thomas Kyle, Thomas Easley, Simon Ford, John Hunnicutt and 
John and William Price. When these pioneers came they found the county a vast cane- 
brake and forest, the cane being from twenty to twenty-five feet high. The settlers united 
their forces and cleared away the cane and built log houses for each other, and the same 
kindness and courtesy was extended to each new-comer for years thereafter. 

Other settlements were made in the county as follo.ws: Thomas Reed, William Riggs, 
Joseph Moore, Daniel Cox, James Kimborough, Joseph and Elijah Anderson, Thomas 
Westmoreland, Rev. Aaron Brown and sons (Thomas and William). John Butler and John 
Barnett settled in the now Aspiu Hill neighborhood from 1807 to 1809; Dr. Gabriel Bum- 
pass, William Buchanan and sons (Maximillian, Robert, John and Jesse), Timothy Ezell, 
Mike Ezell and William Ezell settled in the neighborhood of Cross Waters in 1807 and 
1808; John and Lewis Nelson settled a few miles northeast of Prospect in 1809; Lewis Kirk, 
Alex Black and Nathan and Robert Black settled on the site of Pulaski in 1806-07; Ralph 
Graves settled about 200 yards east of the present corporate limits of Pulaski, and in the 
neighborhood of the town Charles and James Buford, Somersett Moore, John Clark and 
son (Spencer), William Gideon, Nelson Patteson and sons (James and Bernard), Solomon 
E. Rose, Tyree Rhodes, William Kirley, Charles Neeley and John White settled between 
1807 and 1809; Reese Porter and sons, Reese, John, David, James B. and Thomas C, set- 
tled in the Mount Moriah Church neighborhood in about 1807; John Dickey, James Ross, 
Hamilton Campbell, Joseph Bozler, James Ashmore and Daniel Allen settled in the 
Campbellsville neighborhood between 1808 and 1809; John Fry, William Dearing, George 
Malone, Gabriel and John Foulks, Daniel Harrison, John and William Rutledge, Jacob 
and Andrew Blythe, Joel Rutledge, Nicholas Absalom, Hugh Bowen, Thomas Moody, An- 
drew Pickens, John McCabe, James Angus, James Wilsford and James Brownlow settled 
on the waters of Lynn Creek between 1808 and 1810; John and Samuel Montgomery, Le- 
ander M. Shields, Samuel Shields, James Shields, Joseph Braden, Archibald Crockett, 
Alexander Shields and Robert Crockett settled in the neighborhood of Elk Ridge Church 
in 1808-10; Robert Gordon and sons (Thomas and John), the Widow Clark and sons, John 
and Sam Jones, Robert Alsop, Jacob Jarmin and John Henderson settled in the Brick 
Church neighborhood between 1808 and 1810; Adam Hightower, Hardy Hightower. John 



GILES COUNTY. 751 

Kennedy, John Eliflf, James McKnie;ht, Samuel McKnight, Joel Jarmin, JoIiti Youn^ and 
Nicholas Holly settled in the Bradshaw Creek uei.i?hborhood between 1807 and 1810; Rev. 
/ Alex McDonald and brothers (Joseph, Robert and John), and their relatives, William McDon- 
ald and James McDonald, settled in the Mount Pisgah Church neighborhood in 1808; Will- 
iam Phillips, William Menifee, and sons (John and William, and son-in-law,Benjamin Long), 
and John Phillips, settled in the Elkton neighborhood in 1808 and 1809. Other early set- 
tlers were P. Moore, Peter Lyons, James Hurst, James Knox, Walter York, John Jones, 
William Woods, Allen Abernathy, William McDonald, N. Bo.ss, Abner Cleveland, JohE 
Wilson, William McGuire, David Flinn, James Flinn. Nathan Farmer, John Reasouover, 
William Centhall, John White, Thomas Taylor, John M. Cabe, James Grimes, John 
Yancy, James Hart, Robert Curren, Warrick H. Doyle, Edmund J. Bailey, Benjamin 
Tutt, James Morgan, William Eubanks, Joseph Johns, Richard Little, Absalom Bosin, 
John Cunningham, Owen Shannon, James Shannon, Isham Carter, William Hanby, 
Benjamin Phillips, Gabriel Higenbotham, Robert Miller, Lawson Hobson, Jonas Kindred, 
Samuel Parmly, Charles McCallister, James Reed, Andrew Erwiu, Drury Storall, Johu 
Bridwell, William Ball, Eaton Walker, Guilford Dudley, Jonas Kindred, John Scott, 
James Hunt, Douglas Blue, Josejjh Boyd, Samuel Black, John Bryant, William Riddle, 
William B. Brook, James Lindsey, Henry Scales, William Pillows, Robert McAshley, 
Richard Briggs, Jelly Pemberton and Orpha Black. 

A number of the early settlers located on the Indian lands, cleared away the cane and 
undergrowth, built log cabins and began cultivating the soil. Complaints being made to 
the Government, the United States soldiers stationed at Fort Hampton, on Elk River, 
about four miles above its mouth, were sent to drive out the settlers. The soldiers burned 
the settlers' houses, threw down their fences and destroyed their crops, and succeeded in 
driving the people across the reservation line. After the soldiers returned to the fort, the 
settlers returned to their ruined homes, rebuilt their houses and fences, and planted their 
crops, only to be again driven out as soon as word was received at the fort of their pres- 
ence on the forbidden territory. This destruction of property and crops by the Govern- 
ment soldiers occurred during the years 1809-11, and was a great hardship to the set- 
tlers, many of whom held grants for the disputed lands they occupied. 

Previous to 1809 the settlers of Giles County were compelled to go to mill in William- 
son County, or crush the corn into meal by means of the moitar, as there were no mills at 
that period in the county. In that year, however, Nathaniel' Moody erected a small 
Avater-power corn-mill on Robertson Fork, one-half mile south of Old Lynnville. Soon 
afterward Robert Buchanan built a water-power grist-mill on Buchanan Creek, and at 
about the same time George Cunningham built one on Richland Creek; Hardy Hightower 
built one. on Bradshaw Creek; John White built one on Robertson Fork, near what 
was afterward Buford's Station; Jacob Bozler built one on Big Creek and John Williams 
built one on the south side of Elk River, near where Norvell's mill was afterward erected, 
all of which were common corn-mills of water-power. Lewis Brown built the first horse- 
power mill in 1810. After Pulaski had been selected as the county seat, Nathaniel Moody 
moved his mill to a point near town on Richland Creek. This was in 1811, and during the 
same year. Clacks or Maytield's mill was built on the same stream, about one mile below 
Mount Moriah Church, and John Laird built a mill on Lynn Creek. James Cox built a 
water-power mill on Sugar Creek in 1818, which was afterward known as Malone's mill, 
and during the same year James Paisley built a horse-power mill in the Shoal Creek 
neighborhood, and Elijah Ruthony built a water-power mill on Sugar Creek. 

The powder used in the early days by the settlers was all 'manufactured within tlie 
county. One of the first powder-mills built in the county was owned by Daniel Allen, and 
stood near Allen's Spring, since known as Wright's Spring, a few miles northwest of the 
present site of Campbellsville. John Williams also operated a powder-mill near the State 
line, one mile southwest from Elk Mount Springs, and James Ross owned one in the west- 
ern part of the county. The saltpeter used by these manufacturers was obtained frons 
different sources, principally from a cave near Campbell's Station in Maury County. 



752 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Many of the early settlers brought with them cotton seed, and though at first only 
small patches of that useful article were grown from a production fpr home consumption 
only, it soon grew into one of the largest crops produced in the county, forming one of 
the chief exports, and as such continues at the present. Cotton-gins were soon established, 
and to-day the county is dotted over with them. One of the first cotton-giils built in the 
county was that of Lester Morris, and was erected in 1810 near Rehobeth Church. The 
power at first was furnished by hand, bvit later on the gin was enlarged and converted into 
horse-power. The first water-power gin was built in 1811 or 1812 on Lynn Creek, by John 
Laird. Soon afterward John Henderson built a water-power gin on a branch about a mile 
south of Cornersville, now in Marshall County, and Maj. Hurlston built a water-power gin 
on Dry Creek. 

The mills and cotton-gins in the county at present are as follows, by districts: First 
District — Jacob Morrell has a steam saw-mill and cotton-gin; John Brown has a water- 
power grist-mill on Ragsdale Creek; S. H. Morrell has a water-power grist-mill on same 
creek; R. L. Donnevan has a water-power grist-mill on Sinking Creek; and J. N. Ruder, 
Edward Copeland, W. F. Smith, James Arnett, Thomas E, Dailey, Thomas Whitfield, A. 
R. Garrison, L. J. Bledsoe and Dr. Patterson each have one-horse-power cotton-gin. Sec- 
ond District — James Rivers has a water-power grist-mill on Richland Creek; M. B. McCal- 
lister has a water-power grist-mill on Elk River; Smith & Bell have a steam saw-mill near 
Prospect, and cotton-gins are too numerous in the district to mention, there being not less 
than twenty-five or thirty, each farm of any consequence owning its own gin. Third 
District — Thomas E. Smith has a steam saw and grist-mill and cotton-gin combined; 
Joseph Edmunson has a similar mill, and Owen, English & Fowler have a steam saw and 
grist-mill; and Sterling Brownlow and Isaac Casey have each a horse-power cotton-gin. 
Fourth District — Graves & Dougherty have a steam saw and grist-mill, and James Mar- 
bett has a horse-power cotton-gin. Fifth District — James Patrick has a water-power corn 
and wheat-mill and cotton-gin on Shoats Creek, and J. E. Pryor, S. C. Johnson, James 
Tidwell, A. W. Parker and Felix Petty each have horse-power cotton-gins. Sixth Dis- 
trict — The Vale Mills, corn and cotton-gin, water-power, on Richland Creek; Babe Nance 
has a steam saw-mill, and Elihu Coflfrnan and William Edwards each have steam cotton- 
gins; David Shore, Samuel Williamson, Samuel Hower, James Short, Wiley Rogers 
and William Morris each have horse-power cotton-gins. Seventh District — W. I. Rainey 
and Mi"s. Elder have water-power grist-mills on Richland Creek, and T. B. Wade has a 
horse-power cotton-gin. Eighth District— F. D. Aymett has a water-power grist-mill on 
Leatherwood Creek, and John M. Aymett, F. D. Aymett, Giles Reynolds, George Suttle 
and Thomas Harwell have horse-power cotton-gins. Ninth District — Andrew Chambers 
has a water-power flour, grist and saw-mill combined; Bud Morrell has a water-power 
corn-mill on Richland Creek; Jacob Morrell has a flour and grist water-mill on Elk 
River, and C. O. Bull, R. I. Baugh, E. N. Grigsby, John R. Beasley, Gray Hopkins, Wil- 
burn M. Stephenson, James Scruggs, MTarion Ellison and James Rivers have cotton-gins, 
all of which are of horse-power, except those of Baugh and Rivers. Tenth District — J. 
K. Craig has a horse-power cotton-gin. Eleventh District — Joseph Parsons has a steam 
flour and grist-mill; William Abernathy has a water-power grist-mill on Buchanan Creek, 
and Monroe Smith has a horse-power cotton-gin. Twelfth District— T. S. Williamson has 
a steam saw and grist-mill; J. M. Young has a water-power flour and grist-mill on Rich- 
land Creek; W. T. Copeland has a steam grist-mill and cotton-gin combined, and T. 
B. Wade, G. S. White, John Phillips, B. T. Reynolds, Frank Bramlett, William Rivers, 
Robert Rhodes and James Buford have cotton-gins, all with one exception, Wade's, being 
of horse-power. Thirteenth District — J. T. Steele has a water-power flour, corn and saw- 
mill combined on Big Creek; Joshua Morris has a water-power corn and saw-mill on 
the same creek, and Mrs. Buford and Mrs. Rhae have horse-power cotton-gins. Four- 
teenth District— L. Alexander has a flour, corn and saw-mill, water and steam-power, on 
Big Creek; Capt. Watson has a water-power flour and grist-mill on Brownlow Creek; 
A. Williams has a water-power wheat and corn-mill on Factory Creek, and Isaac Yokely 



GILES COUNTY. 753 

and Mow Hays have horse-power cotton gins. Fifteenth District — Joseph Goldman and 
Griffls Bros, each have water-power grist-mills on Robertson Fork; Mrs. Fry has a 
water-power grist-mill on Lynn Creek; Wilkes & Calvert have a steam-power cotton- 
gin, and B. F. Walker has a horse-power cotton-gin. Sixteenth District — Horse-power 
cotton gins are owned by Ephraim Gordon, Hugh Topp, Mack Dougherty, David Sim- 
mons, G. H. McMillan and Thomas Spofford. Seventeenth District— J. M. Gordon and R. 
F. Jackson have horse-power cotton-gins. Eighteenth District — Levi Reed has a water- 
power grist-mill on Egnew Creek; John Rector has a steam saw-mill, and Henry Purger 
has a horse-power cotton-gin. Nineteenth District — J. M. Parker and Sam Collins have 
horse-power cotton-gins. Twentieth District — J. M. Brownlow has a steam saw-mill, and 
J. H. McCormick has a horse-power cotton-gin. 

Giles County was created in 1810 in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly 
passed November 14, 1809, and at the suggestion of Gen. Jackson was named in honor of 
Gen. William B. Giles, one of the governors of Virginia. Giles County was formed out 
of Maury County and is bounded as follows: North by the counties of Maury and Mar- 
shall, east by the counties of Marshall and Lincoln, south by the State of Alabama, west 
by Lawrence County, and has an area of 600 square miles. The act erecting Giles County 
is as follows: 

An act to establish a county south op maury county, and north of the southern 

boundary op the state. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That 
there be a new county established within the following described bounds, to wit: Be- 
ginning at the southeast corner of Maury County; thence due south to the southern bound- 
ary of the State; thence west as far as to form a constitutional county; thence north to the 
line of Maury County, and with said line to the beginning, which county shall be known 
by the name of Giles County. 

Section 2 provides that James Ross, Nathaniel Moody, Tyree Rhodes, Gabriei 
Bumpass and Thomas Whitson be appointed commissioners to select a place on Richland 
Creek, near the center of the county, for a county seat, at which site the commissioners 
shall procure at least 100 acres of land, upon which they shall cause a town to be laid off, 
with necessary streets at least eighty feet wide, reserving at least two acres for a public 
square, on which shall be erected a court house and stocks, also reserving a public lot suf- 
ficient to contain a jail, in a convenient part of town, which town shall be knowp by the 
name of Pulaski. Section 3 provides for the sale of town lots by the commissioners at 
public auction to the highest bidders. Section 4 provides that the commissioners shall 
contract with suitable workmen to build a court house, prison and stocks, the same to be 
paid for out of moneys arising from the sale of town lots. Section 8 provides for the due 
administration of justice and for the time and place of holding courts. Section 9 provides 
that nothing in this act shall prevent the collection of taxes due Maury County at the 
time of its passage, by the sheriff of that county. Section 12 provides that this act shali 
be in force from and after the 1st of January, 1810. 

On November 22, 1809, the General Assembly passed another act, electing the follow- 
ing magistrates for Giles County: John Dickey, Jacob Baylor, Somersett Moore, Charles 
Neiley, Robert Steele, Nathaniel Moody, William Phillips, Benjamin Long. Thomas 
Westmoreland, David Porter and Maximillian H. Buchanan; at the same lime Thomag 
H. Stewart was appointed Judge and Amos Balch attorney -general of the Fourth Judicial 
Circuit, embracing Giles County. 

The commissioners met early in 1810 and selected a place then known as the "Shoals," 
on Richland Creek, as a site for the county seat, which was named Pulaski, in honor of 
the gallant Polish count who fell at Savannah in 1779 while fighting for American inde- 
pendence. The land so selected was vacant land, lying south and west of the Indian 
reservation line. However, assurances of title were given, which authorized the commis- 
sioners to make the selection, and on November 11, 1812, a deed for the land was made to 
the commissioners by President James Madison. 

There are 377,600 acres of land in the county. 194,479 acres being improved, and the 



ioi HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

total value of properly assessed for taxation in 1885 was $4,587,977, an averaij-e of $8.82 
per acre. The tax levy for 1886 was as follows: 30 cents for State, 30 cents for county, 20 
cents for school, 11 cents for roads, and $1 each by State and county for school, making a 
total assessment of $2.91 on each $100 worth of property. In 1834 the first turnpike was 
built through Giles County, it being the Columbia, Pulaski, Elkton & Alabama Pike. 
The present pikes are the Pulaski & Elkton Pike, built about 1840, of which there are 
thirty miles; the Pulaski & Brick Church Pike, built in 1882, fourteen miles; the Pulaski 
& Bradshaw Pike, built in 1882, twelve miles, and the Pulaski & Vale Mills Pike, built in 
1883, five miles. The Nashville & Decatur Railroad, the only one in the county, passes 
through from north to south. In 1856 the county subscribed $375,000 in aid of this rail- 
road, payable in five annual installments. The road was completed in 1860, and has 
proven a great boon and benefit to the entire county. The Memphis & Knoxville Rail- 
road has bfen surveyed through the county, and should the road be built the county 
would be quartered by railways, and Giles would have transportation facilities equaled 
by few counties in the State. The building of the latter road, however, is very indefinite. 

The first court held in the county was a court of pleas and quarter sessions, and was 
lield on the third Monday in February, 1810, at the house of Lewis Kirk, who lived in a 
log cabin on a bluff on the bank of Richland Creek at the foot of the "shoals," and about 
200 yards above where the Nashville & Decatur Railroad depot now stands. The magis- 
trates who had previously been appointed as such by the General Assembly, were sworn 
into ofiice, and they at once elected John Dickey, chairman, German Lester, clerk, Jesse 
Westmoreland, register, and Charles Neeley, sheriff. By order of the court a log cabin 
was erected in Kirk's yard, in which the courts were held, and in a short while thereafter 
a rough log house was erected on the same yard for a jail. In this rude prison were kept 
those convicted of misdemeanors, contempt of court, etc., while the felons were sent to 
the Williamson County jail, and afterward to the Maury County jail for imprisonment. 
After the sale of town lots, August, 1811, the cave having been previously cut from a por- 
tion ot the Public Square, a second court house was erected on the Public Square, and 
the records and courts moved thereto. This second building was constructed of round 
logs, which were covered with boards. The house stood for about two years, when it was 
destroyed by fire, presumably by the citizens, they having become impatient and indig- 
nant at the delay of the commissioners in giving them a more commodious and sightly 
building. A log jail was erected on the southeast corner of the Public Square at about 
the same time of the log court house,. and it, too, was destro3^ed by fire soon after the 
court house burned. 

The commissioners then contracted with Archibald Alexander, of Pulaski, to erect a 
new court house, and with Philip P. Many, of Williamson County, to build a new jail." 
This court house was a two-story brick, and answered well the purpose for which it was 
built. In about 1850 the building was torn down, and on the same site a handsome brick 
was erected, which stood until 1856, when it was destroyed by fire. The present court 
house was completed in 1859, and cost the county about $27,000. It is a large two-story 
brick, 60x150 feet, with four entrances and halls. Two large court rooms are on the 
second floor, while on the first are located six large well ventilated and lighted offices, in- 
eluding a chancery court room, an artistic cupola surmounts the building in which is a 
town (;lock, which was presented to the courrty court by Judge Henry M. Spafford, de- 
ceased in 1880. During the time between the destruction of the court house in 1856, and 
the completion of the present building in 1859, the courts were held on the first floor of 
the Odd Fellows Hall. The jail contracted by Philip P. Maney was of brick, and was erected 
on the northwest corner of the Square. AVhen within a few hours work of completion it 
was destroyed by fire, having caught fire by sparks falling from someone's pipe or cigar in- 
to the shavings. Another jail was soon erected by the same contractor, which stood until 
about the close of the late war, when it was destroj'cd by fire by the retreating Confeder- 
ates. The present jail is a handsome brick building, situated on First Main Street, about 
150 yards from the Public Square, and was completed in 1867 at a cost of $25,000. It is 



GILES COUNTY. 755 

provided with suitable apartments for a jailer's family, and has ten well-constructed cells, 
with necessary corridors. 

In 1865, the County Court purchased 130 acres of land in the Eleventh District, four 
miles east of Pulaski, for a county poor farm, and erected log buildings thereon for the 
accommodation of paapers. In 1867. frame buildings took the place of the log house, 
and these were replaced with a good brick building in 1884, which cost about $4,000. 

The Giles Circuit Court convened its first session in the log court house at Lewis 
Kirk's, on the second Monday in June, 1810, present and presiding the Hon. Thomas H. 
Stewart, judge; Amos Balch, attorney-general. James Berry was appointed clerk, and 
the session was opened by Sheriff Charles Neeley. The court continued to hold its ses- 
sions at the above place until the December term, 1811, wlien the court was opened at that 
place, and an adjournment was taken, to meet at once in the new court house on the 
Public Square. After the destruction of the court house in 1814, the court W3.s held dur- 
ing the April term at the house of David Martin, in Pulaski. During the year 1815 the 
house of Isaac Smith, of Pulaski, was used as a temporary court house. From 1810 to 
1822 there are ho records of this court, they having been destroyed. The records are also 
missing between 1831 and 1836, between 1848 and 1852, between 1855 and 1858, and there 
were no courts between 1860 and 1865, but since the last date they are complete. 

In 1827, for malicious stabbing. James Z. Maclin was sent to jail for twelve months; 
for an assault and battery, with murderous intent. Sterling Harwell was fined $25 and 
sent to jail for twenty days. In 1830 Arthur Jarnigar, for committing forgery, was given 
thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, sent to jail for one week and made to sit in the pillory 
two hours each morning for three consecutive days; and Dury Smith, for manslaughter, 
was branded on the brawn of the left thumb with the letter M; and sent to jail for one 
month. In 1836 James McNunc was sent to the penitentiary for two years for an assault 
and attempt to commit murder. 

In 1837 William Inzer, for larceny, was sent to the penitentiary for three years. James 
Tooey, five years for malicious stabbing, and Isaac Dale was convicted of murder and 
sentenced to be hung. In 1838 John W. Craft was sent to the penitentiary for three years 
for perjuiy. In 1853 William Hall was sent up for two years on a charge and conviction 
of malicious stabbing; in 1855 Martin, a slave, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 
be hung. 

- In 1860 N. C. Wisend, for grand larceny, was sent to prison for seven years; in 1865, 
Samuel Marks, for the same offense, was given ten years; and in 1866 Benjamin Aber- 
nathy, Stephen Brown, Jacob Kennedy and Meredith Dabney, for grand larceny, were 
given terms of imprisonment of three years, one year and seven years, respectively. In 
1867 Henry Ars, for stealing a horse, was imprisoned for a term of ten years; Pleasant 
Beckwith, for murder, in 1868, was sent to prison for one year; and John Lightfoot and 
George Springer were tried jointly on a charge of larceny and each sent up for three 
years; in 1869, Csesar Allen, for larceny, was given one year; James Kelley, for rape, was 
sent up for fifteen years; and Pleasant Madison, for horse stealing, ten years. In 1870, 
Sterling Eddins and Harup Mason, for larceny, were each sent to the penitentiary for one 
year; in 1871, James Montgomery, horse stealing, fifteen years; Lewis Swinnea, murder, 
twenty years; William Allen, larceny, five years; Green Turner, horsestealing, sentenced 
to be hung; Philip Maples, for administering poison, three years; and Lewis Taylor, lar- 
ceny, three years. In 1872 Jesse Donaldson, Amanda Abernathy, Virginia Abernathy, 
Felix White and Richard Collier, for larceny, were given terms of imprisonment ranging 
from fifteen months to four years, while for murder, Jordan Petty was sent up for four- 
teen years; Jack McGuire, for stealing a horse, twenty-one years; and George Chapman, 
for forgery, went up for three years. In 1873, John Adams, Isaac Ballentine, Benjamin 
McDonald and Sterling Eddins, for larceny, were sent to penitentiary for three, one, four 
and six years, respectively; Andrew G. Downing and Richard Benson were given fifteen 
and ten years, respectively, for horse stealing. In 1874, William Jones, George Washing- 
ton and Calvin Rhoades were sent to penitentiary for five, four and seven years, respect- 



756 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

ively, and for murder Walker Ingram was sent for twenty years, and John O'Connor ten 
years for horse stealing. 

In 1875 Andrew Faran, Claibourn Johnson, James Vance and Fountain Walker were 
given terms of three, two, three and fifteen years, respectively, for larceny; and for steal- 
ing a horse John Caldwell was sent up for twenty years. In 1876, Neil S. Icter, for house- 
breaking; Andrew Beaty, for forgery ; James Powell, house-breaking; and James Bell, C. 
T. Tramier and Sterling Butler, for larceny, received imprisonment of six months, three 
years, ten years, two years, fifteen months and four years, respectively. In 1877, James 
Johnson and Henry Matthews were each sent to the penitentiary for one year for larceny; 
Mirabeau Clark, ten years for horse stealing; Ralph Garrett, five years for arson; and 
George Riggan, ten years for house-breaking. In 1878, Arch Brown and Henry Smith 
were sent to penitentiary for three years each; William Jordan, murder, thirteen years; 
and George Washington and William Caldwell, eight and six years, respectively, for 
horse stealing. In 1879 Dick Collier was sent up for eight years on a charge of house- 
breaking; William Coats, ten years for attempt to poison; and Del Duncan, John Jack- 
son, John Sweeney and Tom Ballentine, for larceny, were given terms of one year each 
in the penitentiary. 

In 1880 W. T. Williams, for larceny, was sentenced to the penitentiary for 8 years; 
David Cheairs, for arson, 6 years, and Green Terry and Allan Shaw, 6 months and 5 
months in the county jail for larceny. In 1881 Mat Pendegrass and Ben Eddins received 
6 months and 3 years, respectively, for horse stealing: Felix Smith, 5 years for burglary, 
and Bill Smith, William Franklin and Alonzo Rhodes, 3 years, and 11 months, and 29 
days, respectively, for larceny. 

The Chancery Court of Giles County was held for the first time in April, 1832, with 
M. A. Cook as chancellor and Charles C. Abernathy, clerk and master. The members of 
the Pulaski bar have been as follows, the time in which they practiced being in the order 
given: John Minns, W. H. Field, William C. Flourna, John H. Rivers, Colin 8. Tarpley, 
Aaron V. Brown, James W. Coombs, V. E. J. Shields, Adam Huntsman, Neil S. Brown, 
Thomas Jones, Robert Rose, Alfred Harris, Lunsford M. Bramlett, Archibald Wright, 
A. F. Gough, James Davenport, Davidson Netherland, Thomas M. Jones, Calvin Jones, 
John C. Brown, John C. Walker and Nathan Adams. The present bar is composed of 
Thomas M. Jones, John S. Wilkes, Solan E. Rose, John A. Tinnon. E.,T. Taliaferro, 
John T. Allen, Noble Smithson, Z. W. Ewing, Charles P. Jones, Andrew J. Abernathy, 
J. Polk Abernathy, Amos R. Abernathy, Hume Steele, Flourna Rivers and John C. 
Brown. 

The following is a list of the court and county oflScers in the order in which they 
served: Judges — Thomas H. Stewart, Alford S. Harris, Robert M. Mack, William E. 
Kennedy, Lunsford M. Bramlett, Edmund Dillahunty, W. P. Martin, Henry Ward, A. 
M. Hughes, W. P. Martin, William L. McLemore and Edward D. Patterson. Attorney- 
generals— Alford Balch. Robert L. Cobb, Gideon J. Pillow, Edmund Dillahunty, James 
H. Thomas, Nathaniel Baxter, Archilaus M. Hughes, Nathan Adams, Archilaus M. 
Hughes, Austin C. Hickey, James Smithson, Joseph H. Fussell and John L. Jones. 
Chancellors— M. A. Cook, Lumsford M. Bramlett, Terre H. Cahal, A. O. P. Nicholson, 
Samuel D. Frierson, John A. Brien, Samuel D. Frierson, John C. Walker, David Camp- 
bell, Horace H. Harrison, William S. Flemming and Andrew J. Abernathy. Clerk and 
masters— Charles C. Abernathy, Daniel L. Morrison, James McCallum, W. H. McCallum, 
A. Cox, J. B. Stacy. Chairmen of county court since 1865 — Daniel G. Anderson, J. F. 
Smith, W. H. Abernathy J. L. Jones. County trustees since 1868— Thomas S. Riddle, 
Sterling H. Brown, Daniel B. Garrett, W. G. Lewis, R. M. Bugg, H. C. McLaurine, H. 
L. Booth and W. R. Craig. County court clerks since 1810 — German Lester, Edward D. 
Jones, J. L. Jones, A. R. Richardson, E. W. Rose, D. A. Wilburn, H. H. Aymett, P. H. 
Ezell, Will S. Ezell. Circuit court clerks since 1810 — James Berry, Henry Hagan, Ster- 
ling Lester, Charles C. Abernathy, C. H. Abernathy, W. Williford, F. T. McLaurine, H. 
M. Stanley, J. H. Morris, J. W. Braden. Sheriffs since 1810— Charles Neeley, James 



GILES COUNTY, 757 

Buford, Max H. Buchanan, James Perry, Lewis H. Brown, Thomas C. Porter, Thomas 
S. Webb, John A. Jackson, Asa Ezell, James D. Goodman, Joshua Morris, John Kouns, 
Berry H. Piden, John W. West, D. H. Parsons, R. H. Mitchell, R. A. Blow, H. Arrow- 
smith, John D. Butler and J. Polk English. Registers since 1810 — Jesse Westmoreland, 
Fountain Lester, David McCormack, P. T. T. McCanless, Andrew Fay, Daniel G. Ander- 
son, John Dyer, J. J. Phillips and J. F. Fogg. 

Quite~a nOmber of the Giles County pioneers served in the Revolutionary war, and 
for their services as soldiers of the line received grants from the State of North Carolina 
for the lands in this county, upon which they af terw'ard settled. But of them there is no 
record accessible, and their names have long since passed from the memory of the citizens 
of the present, if memory of them they ever had. While no companies went from Giles 
County into the war of 1812 a large number of her citizens joined companies that went 
out from neighboring counties, among whom were Lester Morris, George Everly, Charles 
Buford, James Patteson, Sol. E. R. Rose, Wm. Kirley, Maj. Hurlston, Wm. McDonald, 
Wm. Kyle, Col. Cleveland, John Clark, Nelson Patteson, John Phillips, Thomas Smith, 
Dr. Gilbert, D. Taylor, Charles C. Abernathy, Wm. K. Gordon, and many others whose 
names could not be secured. Dr. Taylor served on Gen. Jackson's medical staff. 

Within a short time after the organization of the county the county militia was estab- 
lished as an adjunct to the State militia, and for twenty years or more was in active organ- 
ization. The first regiment organized was the Thirty-seventh, which embraced the 
entire county. Of this regiment Robert Steele was the first colonel elected, and Claibourn 
McVey and John Buford the first majors. After the war of 1812 the regiment was reor- 
ganized or divided, and a new regiment, the Fifty-second, was formed of the northern 
half of the county, leaving Pulaski with the old regiment. Thomas K. Gordon was the 
first colonel, and Richard H. Allen and James Simmons the first majors, elected for the 
new regiment. Of the old regiment James Terrill was elected colonel and Thomas Wilker- 
son and Wm. Rose majors. Col. Terrill removed from the county in 1821, when Maj. 
Rose was elected colonel, and Gillan Hamell and Abel Wilson majors. The militia was 
again re-organized in 1825, and an additional regiment, embracing the northwestern por- 
tion of the county, including Pulaski, was organized. Of this regiment Richard H. Allen 
was elected colonel ; Simpson H. White, lieutenant-colonel, and John H. Rivers and Ed- 
ward Tipton, majors. From 1830 the militia began to decline, and upon the adoption of 
the new constitution in 1834 ceased to exist. Previous to the new constitution's adoption 
the county was divided into Captains District, and the election or appointment of justices 
of the peace was regulated by companies or beats, or, as now, by civil districts. During 
its day the militia was a great institution indeed, and militia offices were much sought 
after. Giles County's contribution to the Florida war in 1836 consisted of two full com- 
panies, which were raised in June, 1836, and on July 4 following, were mustered into the 
First Tennessee Regiment of Mounted Volunteers, at Fayettville, Lincoln County. The 
companies were designated in the regiment as First and Sixth Company First was com- 
manded by Capt. Thomas M. Jones, now Judge Jones, of the Pulaski bar, and Quincy 
Black and Robert L. Dixon were the lieutenants. Company Sixth was under command of 
Capt. James Gibson, with Joshua and John Morris, brothers, as lieutenants. Among the 
members of the above companies, whose names are obtainable, were Archibald Wright. 
Neil S. Brown, Sol. E. Rose, Jesse Mays, J. N. Patteson, Joseph E. Anthony, George B. 
Allen, Robert H. Rose. J. Carroll Smith, Samuel D. Wright, Homer Jones, Charles G. 
Keenan, Milton Payne, Wm. Baugh, Daniel Brinkle, Henry E. Pitts, Henry C. Lester, 
Jesse D. Page and Warren P. Anderson. 

As in the Florida war Giles County furnished two full companies to the war with Mex- 
ico in 1846. The first company organized left Pulaski in June, 1846, under command of 
Capt. Milton A. Haynes and Lieuts. W. P. Chambliss, William Richardson and - 
Brownlow. They volunteered for twelve months, and were mustered into the First Ten- 
nessee Regiment of Cavalry, under command of Gen. Jonas E. Thomas, of Maury Coun- 
ty. Among the members of this company were William Evans, Ira Martin> E. G. B. Lee, 



758 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Samuel Farmer, Sterling Farmer, David Hammond, James T. Wheeler, Samuel C. John- 
son, Alexander Black, Samuel S. Williamson, David H. Hannah and Nathan Adams. At 
the expiration of the twelve mouths' service for which the company enlisted the survivors 
returned home, and when the second call for volunteers was made Lieut. W. P. Chambliss 
raised a second company, of which he was elected captain, and A. M. Flemming, first lieu- 
tenant; Thomas Gordon, second lieutenant; J. L. Jones (at present Chairman of the Giles 
County Court), brevet second lieutenant; Patrick Chambliss, orderly sergeant; William D. 
Everly, second orderly sergeant; William Fallis, third orderly sergeant, and Milton Ra- 
son, fourth orderly sergeant. The company left Giles County for Nashville in October, 
1847, where it was mustered into the Third Tennessee Regiment of Foot Volunteers, Gen. 
Cheatham commanding, as Company C. Among the members of Company C were James 
Adams, Abe Cable, — Davis, W. R. Edwards, Samuel Elliff, Joseph EllifE, J. A. Foster, 
Hardaway Tucker, Calaway Tucker, George Chesser, Samuel Farmer, — Wilson, — 
Walker, A. A. Walker, J. N. M. Farmer, Edward Rasen, Michael Fry, Samuel Edmon- 
son, — Spirey and John Carr. 

Giles County took a decided stand in favor of secession at the breaking out of the late 
war, and cast an overwhelming majority vote in favor of separation from the Union and 
representation in the Confederate Congress. In response to the call of Gov. Harris for 
State volunteers early in 1861 the " Martin Guards," the first company raised in the coun- 
ty, was organized, placed in command of Capt. Hume R. Field, and dispatched at once 
to Nashville, where, upon the organization in April, 1861, of the First Tennessee Regiment 
of Infantry, the company was mustered into service as Company K. The regiment went 
into camp at Alisonia, Franklin County, which was given the name of Camp Harris, 
thence to Camp Cheatham, in Robertson County, where the soldiers were given full in- 
structions. On July 10, 1861, it was ordered to Virginia. 

Under special orders from Gov. Harris the Third Tennessee Regiment of Infantry was 
organized at Lynnville, this county, on Maj^ 16, 1861. The regiment consisted of ten full 
companies of picked men, five of which were supplied by Giles County. The roll of field 
and strtfl: officers of the regiment was as follows: Colonel, John C. Brown; lieutenant-colo- 
nel, Thomas M. Gordon; major, Nathaniel F. Cheairs; adjutant, Thomas M. Tucker; quar- 
termasters, Beuj. P. Roy and J. L. Herron; commissary, B. L. Wilkes; surgeons, 
Samuel H. Stout and James A. Bowers; assistant surgeon, Wiley S. Perry; chaplains, 
Marcus Williams and Thomas J. Davenport; sergeant-major, William Polk; quartermas- 
ter-sergeants, J. F. Alexander and J. W. Littleton; commissary-sergeant, John S. 
Wilkes; ordnance sergeants, Wallace W. Rutledge and James J. Walker, hospital stew- 
ard, Eber Fry. The Giles Count}' companies in this regiment were as follows: Company 
A, first captain, John C. Brown, succeeded by Calvin J. Clack, numbered 120 men; Com- 
pany B, fir.st captain, Thomas M. Gordon, succeeded by E. H. F. Gordon, 130 men; Com- 
pany D, captain, William Peaton, 108 men; Company G. captain, Calvin H. Walker, llO 
men; Company K, captain, F. C. Barber, 110 men. ■' 

The regiment was mustered into the State service as soon as organized, and from 
Lynnville went into camp near Springfield, Robertson County, where it remained until 
July 26, 1861, when it moved to Camp Trousdale, Sumner County, from whence they were 
ordered to Fort Donelson, reaching the fort on February 8, 1862. On September 26, 1862, 
the regiment was reorganized as follows: Colonel, Calvin H. Walker; lieutenant-colonel; 
Calvin J. Clack: majors, Thomas M. Tucker and F. C. Barber; adjutant, David S. Martin, 
Giles County companies: Company B, captain Robert A. Mitchell 105; Company G, form- 
erly Company A, captain David Rhea, 99 men; Company I, formerly Company D, cap- 
tain, D. G. Alexander, 90 men; Company H, formerly Company G, captain, James J. 
Walker, 101 men; Company A, formerly Company K, captain F. C. Barber, 100 men. 
The reorganization took place at Jackson, Miss., after the exchange of prisoners at 
Vicksburg, and the regiment went at once into active service, their first engagement 
occurring a few days afterward at Springdale, Miss. 

In the summer of 1861 the Thirty-second Tennessee Regiment of Infantry was organ- 



GILES COUNTY. 759 

ized at Camp Trousdale, Sumuer County, iu which regiment Giles County was represented 
as follows: Winstead's company, captain, John M. Wiustead; Worley's company, captain, 
Willis Worley; Hannah's company, captain, John W. Hannah; Hunnicutt's company, 
captain, W. H. Hunnicutt. The regiment upon leaving camp went into East Tennessee, 
and thence into Kentuck}', In October, 1863, the regiment was reorganized, the reorgan- 
ization affecting the Giles County companies as follows: Winstead's company, captain, 
Field Arrowsmith; Worley's company, captain, James Young; Hannah's company, cap- 
tain, John L. Brownlow; Hunnicutt's company, captain, J. M. Bass. The reorganization 
of this regiment also occurred at Jackson, Miss. 

Holman's battalion of partisan rangers was raised under commission from Judah 
P. Benjamin, Secretary of War of the Confederacy; bearing date, June 27, 1862, directed 
to Maj. D. W. Holman. The battalion consisted of four companies, two of which were 
furnished by Giles County, they being those of Capt. Andrew R. Gordon, of 160 men, 
and of Capt. James Rivers, of 100 men. 

The above is a list as near as coiild be obtained of the soldiers furnished to the Con- 
federac}' by Giles County. The county was continually overrun with both Federal and 
Confederate soldiers throughout the war, being on the line of march from Nashville to 
Huntsville, Ala. Pulaski, Lynnville, Elkton and Prospect were each visited by Federal 
troops in large numbers, and Pulaski and Lynnville were fortified, a formidable fort or 
earth-work was erected on Fort Hill, a high steep hill overlooking the town and sur- 
rounding country at the former place. The first Federals to visit Pulaski in any number 
was a detachment of Gen. Negley's brigade which was sent out from Columbia, under 
Col. Mark Monday, in April. 1862, to drive off Gen. John Morgan, who with his cavalry 
was harassing and plundering the Federal wagon trains on their way to Gen. Mitchell at 
Huntsville, Ala. After doing considerable damage. Gen. Morgan withdrew from Giles 
County in May, upon the approach of Col. Monday, going into Bedford and Wilson 
Counties. Col. Monday went into camp with his men at Pulaski, and I'emained until 
September, 1862, w^hen his command joined Gen. Negley's brigade and went into Ken- 
tucky after Gen. Bragg. In August, 1863, Col. Hayes made a raid on Giles County with 
a regiment of cavalry, who made a camp of one daj^ and night in Pulaski, and returned 
to Columbia. During the same year Lynnville and Elkton were both raided by the Fed- 
erals, the whole county, in fact, being relieved of horses, cattle and grain. In October, 
1863, Gen. Wheeler retreated south through Giles County, pursued by Gen. Wilder, who 
made a short stop at Pulaski on his way south, and in the course of a few days returned 
and again camped for a number of days, going thence to Shelbyville. 

In November, 1863, Gen. W. T. Sherman and his entire army passed through Giles 
County, en route to Chattanooga, making a short stop at Elkton, and Gen. William Dodge, 
with the Sixteenth Army Corps, went into camp at Pulaski, remaining until April, 1864. 
A portion of the above corps was stationed at Lynnville, where earth-works were thrown 
up. Gen. Starkweather, with four regiments of infantry and as many regiments of caval- 
ry, camped in Pulaski and Giles County, during the summer of 1864, engaged in guarding 
the Tennessee River. Gen. Starkweather was succeeded in command by Gen. R. W. John- 
son, who remained at Pulaski until November of the above year. In that month Gen. 
Stanley was sent to Pulaski with the Fourth Army Corps, and camped for three or four 
days. 

Gen. Schofield, in command of the Army of the Ohio, brought the Twenty-fourth 
Army Corps toPulaskiin the latter part 1864, and remained until Gen. Hood crossed the 
Tennessee? River at Florence, Ala., and was approaching Columbia, when he evacuated 
the town and fell back to Franklin, and then to Nashville. Gen. Hood came on into 
Middle Tennessee. At Lawrenceburg, his advance composed of Gen. Forrest's cavalry, 
repulsed the Federals, who then fell back to Pulaski, and the following day quite an en- 
gagement occurred at Campbellsville,this county, when the Federals were again repulsed. 
Gen. Forrest's cavalry made sad havoc wuth the railroad, tearing up the rails and destroy- 
ing all bridges inthe county. At Pulaski he stationed a battery on East Hill and made a 



760 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

feint movement by throwing a few shells into the Federal fort on Fort Hill, to cover his 
move toward Shelbyville. 

After the battle of Nashville, Gen. Hood retreated south through Giles County, fol- 
lowed by Gen. George H. Thomas, with the Twenty-third, Fourth and Sixteenth Army 
Corps. The retreat through Giles County was almost a continuous battle all along 
the Columbia & Pulaski Turnpike. At Anthony Hill, this county, Gen. Hood made a 
stand and repulsed the Federals, only to resume his retreat. Another stand was made at 
a point on Sugar Creek, where the Federals were repulsed a second time, after which 
they fell back to Pulaski, while Gen. Hood's army proceeded leisurely into Alabama. 
The command of the Twenty-third, Fourth and Sixteenth Army Corps was turned over 
to Gen. Johnson, who remained with them in camp at Pulaski, until the close of the 
war in 1865. During the stay of the Federals in Pulaski, at different times, the court 
house and Giles College building were used as quarters for the soldiers, and the different 
church buildings were converted into hospitals. 

On November 20, 1863, Samuel Davis, a Confederate spy, was captured inside the 
Federal lines at Pulaski, with complete plans of the Federal fortifications at Pulaski, 
Franklin, Nashville and, in fact, all over Middle Tennessee, Davis was tried by a court- 
martial, on the charge of being a Rebel sp3% and was hung on East Hill, in front of Squire 
James McCollum's residence, at 10 o'clock on Friday morning, November 27, 1863. Davis 
claimed that his plans had been furnished him by a Federal officer, high in command, 
whom he stated was standing in the crowd in front of the scaffold awaiting his hanging, 
but whose name he refused to divulge, even when offered his life and liberty as an in- 
ducement to do so. Opinion is divieed as to whether the doomed man was really a brave 
man, and sought death rather than divulge a friend's name, or whether he was playing 
for glory, even in his last moments. 

The county seat and principal town of Giles County is Pulaski, which stands on the 
east bank of Richland Creek, and on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad, seventy-five miles 
south of Nashville and eighteen miles north of the Alabama State line. The town is one 
of the prettiest in the State and has a population of 2,500. The site for Pulaski was se- 
lected by the commissioners early in 1810, and during that year a portion of the cane and 
under-growth was removed from the Public Square. In August, 1811 the first town lots 
were sold at auction and a court house and stocks were erected on the Public Square. 
Lewis Kirk and Alexander, Nathan and Robert Black were the first white citizens of Pul- 
aski; they settling on the town site at least three years before it was selected as such. 
Kirk built a log cabin on a bluff on Richland Creek, at the foot of the " shoals," while 
the three Blacks erected their cabins on what is now First Main Street. Other settlers or 
citizens of the town before the sale of town lots in 1811, were William R. Davis, William 
Ball, James Berry, German and Fountain Lester, David Martin, Richard Scott, James 
Drew, James H. Williams, William Hanby, Thomas Smith, John McCrackin, John G. 
Talbott, Henry Hogan, Dr. Shadrack Nye, Joseph Trotter, Joseph H. Hodge, Dr. Gilbert 
D. Taylor, David Woods, Lewis, James and William Connor, Sam G. Anderson, Nathan- 
iel Moody, Alfred M. Harris and Lunsford M. Bramlett. 

The first attempt at tavern-keeping was made by Lewis Kirk, who entertained the 
justices and oflScers of the court at his house during the sessions of court in 1810 and 1811. 
Richard Scott was the first merchant in Pulaski. He opened a small store near Kirk's 
house, on Richland Creek, in about 1809. In 1810 Scott sold his store to John G. Talbott 
and William Ball opened a grocery store in the same vicinity. At that time the above 
were the only houses in Pulaski. The first merchants to do business after the town was 
laid out were Richard Scott, David Martin, John G. Talbott, James Doren, John McCrack- 
in and Henry Hogan. The taverns of that day were kept by Capt.Thomas Smith, on the north, 
east corner of the Public Square and by James Alexander, on the southeast corner of the 

the Public Square; the latter being afterward kept by Kennon and was known by 

that name. The physicians of Pulaski who practiced between 1809 and 1815, and prob- 
ably later, were Dr. Gilbert D. Taylor, Dr. Shadrack Nye, Dr. David Woods, Dr. Alfred 



GILES COUNTY. 761 

Flournoy, Dr. Elisha Eldridge and Dr. Charles Perkins. The first tan-yards established 
in the town were those of James Hanby and Lewis and James Connor. The first com- 
fortable residence erected in Pulaski was built by German Lester. 

The Legislature declared Richland Creek navigable as far as Pulaski in 1809, and for 
thirty years thereafter the produce of the county was shipped from Pulaski in large flat- 
bottomed boats, which were made in the town, and frequently small keel boats and 
pirogues were made, which were loaded and taken to New Orleans, where merchandise 
was purchased and brought back in the boats. From three to four months were required 
to make the trip. Goods for the first merchants were hauled in wagons from Baltimore, 
Md., whither the merchants themselves would journey once each year with cattle, cotton, 
etc., which they would exchange for dry goods, groceries and other commodities. 

In November, 1815, the Legislature appointed Tyree Rhodes, Ralph Graves and John 
Hicks commissioners to build a bridge across Richland Creek, at Pulaski, the bridge to be 
paid for out of moneys derived from the sale of town lots. The bridge was built near the 
depot, and was the first one in the county. A substantial covered frame bridge was sub- 
sequently erected in its place, which is in use at the present. 

The manufacturers of Pulaski, between 1818 and 1825, were as follows: John 
E. Holden, cabinet-maker; James Lynch, turning-lathe; William Holden, woolen- 
factory, afterward converted into a steam saw-mill; Robert Hamby, tannery; George 
Everly, battery; Thomas Wilkerson, gunsmith; Adam R. Farres, silversmith; Henry 
Cowper, saddlery; Henry Piden, blacksmith; Samuel Anderson, cabinet-maker. During 
the same period Capt. James Patteson kept a hotel, and William Willis a livery stable. 
A census of the heads of families in Pulaski, taken in 1820, returned the following: Sam- 
uel Pearson, Jeremiah Parker, Alfred M. Harris, Shadrack Nye, Nathaniel Moody, James 
Patteson, James Perney, Samuel J. Anderson, Thomas Wilkerson, James Connor, John E. 
Holden, William English, William Connor, Francis Guthrie, Nathaniel Allman, William 
Royle, Bernard M. Patteson, Lunsford M. Bramlett, German Lester, W. R. Davis, Robert 
Gibson, Tyran M. Yancy, Amos Davis, John Brown, Jesse Day, Francis Hicks, William 
Hamby Mathias Sharon, John B. Connor, Robt. Crockett, Marterson, B. McCormack, 
A. V. BrowJi* Elizabeth Berry, Judith Birch, Elizabeth Hooks, Mary Scott, William Ball, 
Thomas White, Joseph H. Hodge, John McCrackin, William Rose, Francis Alexander, 
Joseph Trotter, Henry Hogan, Fountain Lester and Archibald Story. 

The merchants of Pulaski in business between 1820 and 1830, were Thomas Martin, 
James Perry, Nathaniel G. Nye, Andrew M. Balentine, Andrew Fay, Samuel Kercheval 
and Toggert & Christy. Between 1830 and 1840 the merchants were Edward Rose, 
Keenan, Walker & Guy, James McConnell, H. E. Lester, Lester & Hoag, P. H. Brady, 
Andrew Fay, Joseph C. Ray & Co., Brown & Ezell, Block Bros., Bell & Mason, Lither- 
man & McNairy. Simonton & Oliver, Jones & Armstrong, J. W. Carpenter, Riddle, Smith 
& Robinson and Butler & Story. Between 1840 and 1850: Balentine & Gough, J. H. 
Taylor, M. Nassau, H. C. Lester & Bro., Martin & Tapp, Booker & Shepperd, W. H. 
Lime, Samuel Kercheval, Bell & Mason, Yerger & Shawl, Balentine, Ezell & Co., Mason 
& Ezell, Martin & Ray, Benjamin Carter, J. C. Carter, B. F. Carter & Sons, A. M. Car- 
ter & Co., and May and Neil. Between 1850 and 1860: Ezell & Bro., May & Neil, Mar- 
tin, Ray & Co., A. M. Carter & Co., May & Bros., Mason & Ezell, P. H. Ezell, Balentine 
& Son, Batte & Patteson, Martin & Amos, Armstrong & Nassau, Fuller & Abernathy, J. 
P. Skillerm, Davidson & Allen, Brannon & Carson, Martin & Stacey, John Kounts and 
Ray, Harris & Co. There were no merchants in business during the war, all stores, save 
an occasional sutler's stand, being closed. Between 1865 and 1870 the merchants were 
R. A. Gordon, Shepperd & Son., Ezell & Edmonson, Balentine & Ezell, Taylor & Son, 
May Bros., Cox & Reynolds, John B. Ezell, Flautt, Martin & Co., Rosenau & Bros., and 
A. Lazere'ss. The merchants of ,' 1870 and 1880 were Arrowsmith & Brannon, H. 
Abrams, Dickenson & Co., J. R. C. Brown & Co., J. H. Cannon & Co., P. H. Ezell & 
Son, Flautt, Martin & Co., Heins & Hannaburgh, R. B. Gibson, Erwin & Lindsey, George 
W. McGrew, J. P. & A. E. May, James T. McKissack & Co., L. Nassau, Pullen & Chil- 



762 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

dress, Pope & Toller, L. Rosenau &Bros., J. P. Rankin, Rosenau & Loreman, Sumpter& 
Lacy, S. P. Sternau, Robert Shepperd & Co., aud H. O'Lenskey. 

Business of Pulaski at present: W. H. Abernathy, clothier; Brannon & Smith, Aber- 
nathy & Lightfoot, L. Rosenau & Bros., A. E. May & Son, Solinsky & Feinburgh, F. Ar- 
rowsmith & Co., W. S. Rose & Son and H. G. Brown, dry goods; Nelson, May & Martin 
and Carter & Buford, hardware; H. M. Grigsby. Anderson & Arrowsmith, Craig & Co. 
and Pope & Gordon, drugs; F. M. Burch, W. J. Nance & Son, J. S. Reynolds, T. J. Wells, 
J. S. Childress & Co., R. W. Woodward, Spear & McGrew, D. E. Spear & Son, James 
Davis, J. P. Rankin, Barrington & Lewis and R. S. Williams, family groceries; W. R. 
Craig, grain dealer; John West and James T. Oaks & Co., undertakers and furniture 
dealers; Walter Moffitt, merchant tailor; J. H. Cannon & Co., boots and shoes; T. H. May 
aud W. B. Smith.son, books and stationery; B. S. Cheek and G. N. McGrew, confections; 
Miss M. A. Smith & Co. and Mrs. F. M. Rudd, milliners; John Matthews and H. Rose- 
crans, saddles and harness; P. M. Ezell and J. C. Young & Co., tinware; W. H. Rose 
and I. H. Rainey, livery stables; Maclin & Robinson, meat market; hotels — Linden House, 
J. A. P. Skillern, proprietor, and the St. Giles Hotel, Bledsoe & Brown, proprietors; Jones 
& White, real estate agents; W. B. Smithson, E. Edmonson, Will S. Ezell, James R. 
Crow and George T. Riddle, insurance agents; Edward F. McKissack, J. T. Grant, G. A. 
McPeters, dentists; Drs. C. C. & C. A. Abernathy, Dr. J. C. Roberts, Dr. William Batt, 
Dr. W. E. Wilson, Dr. Gordon and Dr. Millhouse, practicing physicians. The Giles Na- 
tional Bank, S. E. Rose, president, John D. Flautt, cashier, w^as established in 1872, and 
the People's National Bank, J. P. May, president, George T. Riddle, cashier, was estab- 
lished in 1883. Both banks do a general banking business. The town has one of the best 
opera houses to be found outside of the cities. The building is 42x84 feet, with an arched 
ceiling, beautifully frescoed, and has a seating capacity for 800 persons. 

The manufactories of Pulaski are as follows: W. N. Webb & Son, general machine 
shops; Webb & McGrew, woolen factory; McCord & Co., flouring-mill; T. W. Pittman & 
Co., planing-mill; Williams & Watson, planing and saw-mill; Graham & Son, carriage 
factory; McGrew & Son, J. B. Childress, tan-yards; Leon Godfroy and J. A: Casey, silver- 
smiths; Morris & Bro. and Woodring & Sullivan, marble works; Bradley Bros, and D. E. 
Spear, blacksmith; Owen Callihan and W. A. Manning, boot aud shoe-makers. There are 
two newspapers in Pulaski, the only ones in Giles County, both of which are excellent 
papers with fair patronage, and both belong to the Democratic'party in politics. The Pu- 
laski Citizen, of which McCord & Smith are proprietors and L. D. McCord is editor, was 
established in 1858, and the Pulaski Democrat, J. G. Ford, editor and proprietor, was 
established in August, 1886. In addition to these two papers, there is a job' printing office 
in Pulaski, of which Charles F. Carter is proprietor. 

The secret societies of Pulaski are as follows: Lawrence Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., 
was the first lodge in Giles County., being instituted in August, 1816. In 1821 the lodge 
forfeited its charter by a failure to elect officers, and in 1824 a new charter was obtained 
and the lodge revived as Lafayette Lodge, No. 57. During the suspension of Masonry, be- 
tween 1834 and 1841, the lodge ceased to work, and in 1842 was again revived under a new 
charter as Pulaski Lodge, No. 101, and continues as such at the present. Pulaski Lodge, 
No. 12, I. O. O. F., was established in 1845, The charter was destroyed during the war 
but the lodge did not suspend active work, and at the close of the war a duplicate charter 
was obtained and is in force at the present. Pulaski Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M., was organ- 
ized in 1859; Stonewall Lodge, No. 112, K. P., was organized in 1874; Friendship Lodge, 
No. 104, K. of H., was organized in 1875; Richland Council, No. 407, A. L. of H., estab- 
lished in 1881; Mystic Lodge, No. 25, xi. O. U. W.. established in 1877; Giles Council, No. 
409, R. A., organized in 1880; Pulaski Lodge, No. 170, G. T., organized in 1884; Pulaski 
Y. M. C. A., organized in 1880; Pulaski Commandery, No. 12, K. T., organized in 1871. 
There fs one church each of Methodist Episcopal South, Cumberland Presbyterian, 
Presbyterian, Episcopal and Christian denominations in Pulaski. 

Pulaski was incorporated in 1820, and Elisha Eldridge was the first mayor, and Shad- 



GILES COUNTY. 763 

rack Nye the first recorder and treasurer. The present town officers are as follows: Mayor, 
P. Smith; recorder and treasurer, John Dyer; marshal, J. M. McDonald; policeman, 
Joseph Flippin; aldermen — J. H. Lightfoot, M. C. Caraody, T. J. Walls, R. B. Crow and 
H. A. Rosecrans. 

The streets are as follows: Those running east and west — Washington, Madison, Jeifer- 
son. College, Flower, Hemp, Cotton and Depot; those running north and south — First, 
Second, Third, Mill Lane and Cemetery. The streets are lighted with gas, the gas being 
manufactured and furnished by the Pulaski Gas Company, the works of which were es- 
tablished in 1882. The company is composed of Messrs. Chess, Carley & Co., of Louisville, 
Ky. The local manager is Mr. F. Winship. The streets are also macadamized and fur- 
nish some delightful drives. The Giles County Agricultural Society was organized in 
1876 and hold annual exhibitions at their grounds near Pulaski. 

Elkton, one of the oldest towns of the county, is situated in the Ninth District, fifteen 
miles southeast from Pulaski, three miles above the mouth of Richland Creek, on Elk River, 
and has a population of between 150 and 200. Soon after the organization of the county 
two towns were laid off on Elk River, one immediately at the mouth of Richland Creek 
and the other a short distance below. They were named Upper and Lower Elkton. Later 
on another town was laid off about three miles above the upper town, on Elk River, and 
lots sold by Dr. Purcell and others, which town was named Elkton; thus at one time there 
were three separate and distinct towns on Elk River within a few miles of each other, and 
all bearing the same name with the prefix of Lower and Upper only to distinguish them. 
In the course of fifteen or twenty years Lower and Upper Elkton lost their identity as 
towns, the citizens moving from time to time to Elkton and other points, and of the 
•three villages only Elkton remains at present. The business of Elkton at present is as 
follows: A. W. Moore and T. E. Dailey, general merchandise; A. G. Ezell «fe Milton Car- 
ter, J. J. Upshot, John R. Beasley and P. W. Nave, dry goods and groceries; N. M. 
Hollis & Co., and Stephen Dunn, blacksmiths. There are two white and one colored 
churches in Elkton, as follows: Methodist Episcopal and Cumberland Presbyterian, and 
Colored Missionary Baptist. The schools of the town consist of a chartered high school, 
or academy, and the common school for the colored people. 

Lynnville, th.e second town in size and importance, is situated forty- three and a half 
miles north of Pulaski, in the Fifteenth District, and on the Nashville & Decatur Rail- 
road, and has a population of about 400. Originally the town stood about a mile from the 
railroad, and was known as Old Lynnville, but in 1860, upon the completion of the rail- 
road, was moved over to the road, being at present in the old town about seventy-five in- 
habitants and one store, which is kept by Smith & Reed, an undertaking establishment by 
J. C. Gibbs, and a blacksmith shop by Clifford Fry, while John Wagstaff runs a water 
power gi'ist-mill on Lynn Creek, near town. The old town was laid off on Lynn Creek in 
about 1810-11. A Cumberland Presbyterian, Christian and Colored Methodist and Baptist 
Churches are situated in the old town, though no school is taught there. The business of 
liynuville proper is conducted as follows: Smith &Bros., Geo. S. Tate, Wagstaff &Bro., 
C. H. Witt, and F. M. Walker, dry goods; J. B. McCall, Shields Bros., H. Thomas and 
Heindman & Mcintosh, family groceries; W. B. Pepper and Royster & Co.. drugs; 
Griffis Bros., grain dealers; John Boulie, tin shop; J. W. Dickerson, undertaker; J. B. 
Bray, planing-mill; James Ridenberry, wood-worker; Thomas Fry and J. H. Lancaster, 
blacksmiths. The churches are the iPresbyterian, Methodist and Primitive Baptist, all 
white. Half way between Lynnville and Old Lynnville is a splendid high school, which 
. is operated under a four-mile law charter, and which supplies! the educational facilities 
for both towns. 

Prospect, a flourishing village on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad, has a population 
of 200. The town lies thirteen miles south of Pulaski, in the Second District. The mer- 
chants of Prospect are R. F. Mays, Gilbert & Reed and J. H. Hazlewood, general stores^ 
and Dr. Cardwell, drugs. N. V. Davis and Dr. Cardwell operate cotton-gins, and T. H. 
Browning has a blacksmith shop. The secret societies are the Masons, Knights of Honor 



764 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and Good Templars, the first named order having a large and commodioua hall. There 
are but two churches in the town, the Methodist South and Colored Baptist. The Pros- 
pect High School is the one institution of learning in the town. 

Aspin Hill, with a population of 150, is another town in the Second District, situated 
eight miles south from Pulaski, on the railroad. The one store of the village is kept by 
W. G. Inman, who does a general merchandise business. There is also a Methodist 
Church and a good public school at Aspin Hill, and the people are a thrifty, moral class. 

Campbellsville lies in the Fourteenth District, eight miles west from Lynnville, and 
has a population of about seventy-five. There are two stores in the village, those of Mirh & 
Hubbard and Cowan & Co., general merchants. Dew & Wright are the blacksmiths. The 
only church in the town is the Cumberland Presbyterian. A good high school is also 
located in the town. Other villages are Buford, Wales and Veto on the railroad, and 
Bunker Hill, Bradshaw, Bodenham and Pisgah away from the railroad. 

The first school in Giles County of which there is now any record or recollection was 
the Pulaski Academy which was chartered by act of the General Assembly, passed No- 
vember 23, 1809, just nine days after the passage of the act establishing the county. 
The act appointed as trustees of the academy John Sappington, Nelson Patteson, Tyree 
Rhodes, Samuel Jones, Somersett Moore, Charles Buford, and Charles Neeley. There 
being a surplus of money from the sale of town lots, the commissioners were authorized 
by the General Assembly to invest a portion of the same in a tract of land upon which to 
locate and erect a college building and the present commanding and beautiful site on 
East Hill was purchased. In September 1812, the name of the academy was changed 
from Pulaski Academy to that of Wurtemburg Academy, and William Purcell, David 
Woods and Alfred M. Harris were appointed additional trustees. In 1849 a college 
charter was obtained for the academy by the name of Giles College, when the present 
large, commodious brick building was erected at a cost of about $15,000. 

In 1810 a school was taught by John Morgan in the Weakley Creek neighborhood, 
and in 1811 a school was taught in the same neighborhood by Rev. James B. Porter. 

The-first classic school taught outside of Pulaski was established by Rev. David 
Weir in 1812, near the junction of Lynn Creek and Robertson Fork. The school was 
one of the leading ones of its day, and was taught for many years. 

At a very early date an excellent female academy was established in Pulaski, and 
suitable buildings were erected on the lot now owned by J. B. Childress. In 1830 the 
property was exchanged for the lot upon which the Episcopal rectory now stands, which 
building was erected for the academy. This building became damaged by a crack in the 
walls in 1853, to such an extent as to be considered dangerous, and a short time before 
the late war the property was sold and the school discontinued. 

The teachers of Wurtemburg Academy from 1824 were as follows: William W. 
Patter, William Loring, William Price, Mr. Meudum, John C. Brown, Daniel G. Ander- 
son, Benjamin F. Mitchell, John A. McRoberts, Woodberry Mitchell, James L. Jones, 
Prof. Sharp, John H. Stewart, Charles G Rogers and Alfred H. Abernathy. Of the Fe- 
male Academy, the teachers were Rev. James Hall Brooks, Mrs. Thomasson, Mr. Davis, 
Dr. Rowles, and Rev. Robert Caldwell, the latter being one of the most celebrated edu- 
cators of his day. 

In 1870 Thomas Martin, one of the leading citizens and business men of Pulaski, and 
a pillar of the Methodist Church, died and left $30,000 to be expended in the establish- 
ment and endowment of a college for young ladies, to be located at Pulaski. In 1872, in 
accordance with Mr. Martin's bequest, Martin College was chartered, and handsome and 
commodious brick buildings were erected in 1873. The buildings will accommodate from 
80 to 100 pupils. The study hall, recitation and music rooms, as well as parlors and sleep- 
ing apartments, are well lighted and ventilated, and are unusually large and pleasant. 
The many conveniences embrace a fire escape, elevator, covered galleries, etc. The 
grounds cover an area of about]eight acres, and are beautifully laid out in walks and flower 
gardens. The buildings and grounds cost about $30,000. John S. Wilkes is the presi- 



GILES COUNTY. 765 

dent and Ida E. Hood and Susan L. Heron, principals. The board of trust is composed 
as follows: J. S. Wilkes, president; William S. Ezell, vice-president; L. W. McCord, sec- 
retary; J. B. Childers, treasurer; J. P. May, John T. Steele, John D. Flautt, Wm. F. 
Ballentine, H. M. Brannan and J. S. Childers. There are chartered schools at Lynnville, 
Prospect, Elkton, Aspin Hill and other points in the county, all of which have a good 
attendance. The public schools are in a healthy condition, and are conducted for six 
months in the year. 

In 1885 the scholastic population of Giles County was as follows: White, male 4,143, 
female 3,789— total, 7,932 ; colored, male, 2,695, female, 2,499— total, 5,194; total, white 
and colored, 13,126. The semi-annual apportionments of school money in 1885 was for 
Giles County as follows: April apportionment, $1,730.27; October apportionment, 
$1,730.27. During 1885 the numbers of teachers employed in Giles County was as fol- 
lows: White, male, 74, female, 29; colored, male, 25, female, 18; total, 146. The number of 
schools and school districts in the county are as follows: White schools, 103; colored, 48; 
total, 146. Number of school districts in county, 20. In 1885 there were two institutes 
held in the county, which were attended by 103 teachers. The number of teachers licensed 
in the county in 1885 were as follows: White, male, 74, female, 29; colored, male, 25, female, 
18; total, white and colored male and female, 146. There were in 1885 pupils enrolled as 
follows: White, male, 3,314, female, 3,031; colored, male, 2,156, female, 2,009; total, white 
and colored, 10,510. In the same year there were 51 frame and 26 log schoolhouses in the 
county, making a total of 77 schoolhouses in the county. 

Probably the first church organization in Giles County was the Baptist Church at 
Cross Water, which was organized in 1808 by the Buchanans, Ezells and other settlers of 
that neighborhood. A log meeting-house was erected in 1809, which stood for a number 
of years, until torn down and a new and more commodious one was built: which was 
given the name of Old Zion. Other early churches of this denomination were erected as 
follows: Lynn Creek Church in 1810, Indian Creek Church, Robertson Fork Church, and 
a church near the Martin Wood's place in 1811. In 1815 the Baptists organized a church 
irti Pulaski, and in about 1820 erected a substantial brick church building. The organiza- 
tion dying out in after years, the building was sold and converted into a private residence, 
since when there has been no Baptist Church in the town. 

In about 1809 the Methodists organized their first church and erected a log meeting- 
house on Lynn Creek, one and a half miles north of old Lynnville, of which Rev. Pruit 
was the first preacher. In 1810 that denomination organized and erected a church at 
Mount Pisgah, and soon afterward the "Brick" Church was erected in what is now the 
Seventeenth Civil District. In 1811 Rehobeth Church, one of the most celebrated of the 
early Methodist churches, was erected on the Pulaski & Elkton Pike, four miles southeast of 
the former place. During the same year a Methodist Church was erected on Indian Creek, 
about three miles southwest of Bee Spring. Bethel Church, on Elk River, was erected in 
1817, almost entirely alone by Wm. R. Brown. Mount Gilead Church was erected in 1830, 
and Hopewell Church in 1829. Sometime in 1820 a log church was erected on Third 
Street in Pulaski. Later on a large brick church was erected, which was afterward sold 
to the Odd Fellows, and in 1851 the present substantial brick church was erected at a cost 
of about $8,000. The twenty-second session of the Tennessee Conference was held in 
Pulaski, commencing November 6, 1833, being held in the court house. In 1830 a large 
camp ground was established at Prospect and a church subsequently erected, known by 
that name. 

The Presbyterian's organized and erected their first church in the county at Elk Ridge, 
two and one-half miles east of Lynnville, in about 1810, of which Rev. David Weir was 
the first preacher. Marr's Hill Church was erected the following year. In 1812 the Pu- 
laski Church was erected, of which Rev. Gideon Blackburn was the first preacher. In 
1820 tlie Presbyterians and Masonic lodge joined finances, and erected a large brick 
church and Masonic hall combined, and in 1852 the present brick church was erected at a 
cost of about $7,000. In 1822 the Tennessee Presbytery met at the court house in Pulaski. 



766 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

The first church organized and erected in Giles County by the Cumberland Presbyte- 
rians was Mount Moriah, in the Thirteenth District, in the fall of 1811. The organization 
took place at the residence of Reese Porter, whose son, James B., was the first preacher 
in charge of the church. The Shoal Creek Church was erected in 1818 in the Paisley 
neighborhood, of which Rev. A. Smith was the first preacher. The Pulaski Church was 
organized in July, 1828. In 1840 a large brick church was erected, which was subseriuently 
torn down, and the present handsome edifice erected, in 1882, at a cost of about $10,000. 
All of these early churches had their camp-grounds, and conducted camp-meetings until 
about 1840, and in some instances until within a few years of the breaking out of the late 
war. 

The Pulaski Episcopal Church was organized in about 1849 or 1850, and held services 
in the Odd Fellow's Hall until 1854, when the congregation purchased the old Female 
College building, and converted the same into a rectory, which is in use at the present 
time. The congregation has a beautiful lot, and it is the intention to erect a handsome 
church edifice thereon at no distant day. The Pulaski Christian Church was established 
in 1859, and for a while held their meetings in the court house, but at present meet in the 
Odd Fellow's Fall. 

The churches of the present, outside of the towns, in the county are as follows, by 
civil districts: First District — Smyrna; Mount Pleasant, Methodist Episcopal South, and 
Union Hill, Missionary Baptist. Second District — Fetusia, Cumberland Presbyterian; 
Liberty, Methodist Episcopal South; Ridge, Baptist, and Poplar Hill, used by all denom- 
inations. Third District — Pleasant Hill, Beach Grove, Cumberland Presbyterian; Mount 
Zion, Beach Spring, Baptists; Bethel, Carmel and Hebron, Methodist Episcopal South. 
Fourth District — Bluff Spring, Missionary Baptist; Puncheon Camp, Hard Shell Baptist; 
Booth's Chapel, Pleasant Ridge, Methodist Episcopal South; Shoal Bluff and Noblett's 
Chapel, Christian. Fifth District — Rural Hill, Christian; Loan Oak, Methodist Episcopal 
South; Weakley Creek and Old Side, Baptist; and Mount Joy, Colored Cumberland Pres- 
byterian, and Chestnut Grove, Colored Missionary Baptist. Sixth District — Mount Mor- 
iah, Cumberland Presbyterian; Trinity, Chestnut Grove, Cedar Grove, Methodist Episcopal 
South; Cool Spring, Christian; and Cedar Grove, Martin Box, Anthony Hill, African 
Methodist Episcopal, and Rocky Point,- Colored Baptist. Eighth District — Sharon, Pres- 
byterian, and Rockey Mount, Colored Presbyterian. Tenth District — Mount Pleasant and 
Mount Zion, Methodist Episcopal South. Eleventh District — Blooming Grove, Friend- 
ship, Parson's School House, Methodist Episcopal South, and Old Zion, Baptist. Twelfth 
District — Union, Baptist; Mount Olivet, Methodist Episcopal South, and Lilburn Chapel, 
American Methodist Episcopal. Thirteenth District — Pleasant Valley, Pleasant Hill, 
Methodist Episcopal South; Minnow Branch, Methodist, Baptist and Cumberland Pres- 
byterian combined, and Pleasant Hill, African Methodist Episcopal. Fourteenth Dis- 
trict — Taylor's Chapel, Williams' Chapel, Methodist Episcopal South; Gibsonville, Primi- 
tive Baptist; Center Point, Christian, and Powell's Chapel, Christian. Fifteenth District — 
Antioch, Methodist Episcopal South. Sixteenth District — Ash Gap and Simpson's Chapel, 
Methodist Episcopal South. Seventeenth District— Mount Zion, Baptist and "Brick" 
Church, Methodist Episcopal South. Eighteenth District— Hurricane Creek, Shoal 
Creek, Egnew Creek, Methodist Episcopal South, and Scott's Hill, Baptist. Nineteenth 
District — Pleasant Valley, Hebron, Salem, Methodist Episcopal South: Pleasant Hill, Bap- 
tist, and St. Matthew, African Methodist Episcopal, and Philippi, Colored Cumberland Pres- 
byterian. Twentieth District — Mount Pisgah, Bee Spring, Mount Zion, Methodist Epis- 
copal South; Unity, Primitive Baptist, and Indian Creek, Hard Shell Baptist. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 767 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 

LINCOLN COUNTY is bounded on the north by the counties of Marshall, Bedford, 
and Moore; on the east by Moore and Franklin; on the south by the State of Ala- 
bama; and on the west by Giles County. It lies almost wholly within the central basin 
of Middle Tennessee, The geological situation of the county is about equally divided be- 
tween the siliceous group of the lower Carboniferous formation, and the Nashville group 
of the Silurian formation. On the line of railroad may be seen large quantities of black 
shale, which is so impregnated with petroleum or bitumen that it will sustain for a month 
a fire when kindled on it. This black shale is also rich in sulphuret of iron, by the decom- 
position of which copi)eras and alum are formed. It easily disintegrates upon exposure 
and is valueless except for the manufacture of the salts mentioned. Many of the lime- 
stone rocks are but aggregations of fossil remains. A few miles east of Fayetteville is a 
quarry where a very fair article of reddish variegated marble is found. This marble is 
sometimes injured by particles of iron pyrites. The county is divided into two almost 
equal parts by the Elk River, which with its numerous tributaries affords it excellent 
water facilities. The streams which enter this river from the north are Bradshaw Creek, 
Swan Creek, Cane Creek, Norris Creek, Mulberry Creek, Roundtree Creek, Tucker 
Creek and Farris Creek. Those from the south are Shelton Creek, Duke Creek, Stew- 
art Creek, Wells Creek, Coldwater Creek, and Kelley Creek. Between Elk River and the 
Alabama line is a belt of high land which is the watershed between Elk River and the 
Tennessee. This watershed embraces a strip about eight miles wide and includes nearly 
one-third of the county. It is an exceedingly level high plateau and is not well drained. 
The sub-soil is a pale yellowish clay porous and leachy except in swamps where the clay is 
bluish. However, a few spots are found with a good red clay subsoil, and when this is 
found, lands are rated higher. No limestone is seen on this plateau and the main vege- 
tation is wild growth. 

The remainder of the county comprises spacious valleys, alternating with productive 
hills and ridges. Upon some of the hills however, the loose limestone lies in such abund- 
ance as to preclude cultivation. The valleys of Elk River and Cane Creek will average a 
mile in width, and the latter is probably fifteen miles long. The land in these two valleys 
is as productive as any in the State. Many knolls near Elk River are upraised alluvium. 
An abundance and a general variety of timber grows in the county. It is mainly of the 
following varieties: Linn, buckeye, hickory, poplar, box elder, black walnut, wild cherry, 
black locust, chestnut, beech, gum, dogwood, ironwood, horn beam, sugar tree, hack- 
berry, cedar and elm. 

As early as 1784 land explorers passed through this section, and some surveys were 
made and grants issued prior to 1790. North Carolina grants for land in this county were 
issued to John Hodge, Robert Walker and Jesse Comb in 1793. There are also land 
grants recorded in the office of Lincoln County Register, bearing date of 1794, to the fol- 
lowing persons: William Smith, Elizabeth W. Lewis, Ezekiel Norris, William Edmon- 
son, Alexander Greer, Thomas Perry, Thomas Edmonson, Matthew Buchanan, Matthew 
McClure, Andrew Greer and John Steele.^ In the spring of 1806 James Bright, at the head 
of a surveying party, passed where Fayetteville now stands, striking Elk River near the 
mouth of Nelson Creek. He found a very rank growth of cane and occasionally dis- 
■ covered Indian trails. Near Fayetteville he found a deposit of periwinkle and muscle 
shells, giving evidence of an Indian village site, and by some it is supposed that this was 
the village in which De Soto camped through the winter of 1540-41. This suppositioji 



768 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

has recently been strengthened by the finding of a coin bearing the inscription of the 
Cpesars. 

It is impossible to tell Avho first settled within the present bounds of Lincoln County. 
The first settlers are now all in their graves and many liave no descendants in the count3^ 
In the fall of 1806 Ezekiel Norris settled on his grant of 1,280 acres of land at the mouth 
of Norris Creek, and this creek is all that now bears his name in the county. He was a 
shrewd man. Being led to donate 100 acres of land for the county seat under the false 
representation that other parties had made the same offer, he afterward sued the county 
and recovered f 700 for the land. He was probably the fii'st permanent white settler in the 
county. 

James Bright also became a citizen of the county, and many deeds are recorded trans- 
ferring land from him to other parties. For twenty-five years he was clerk of the circuit 
court and was clerk and master of the chancery court for a term of years. John Greer, a 
very wealthy man, settled near the mouth of Cane Creek on his large tract of land. He 
took interest in organizing the county and in conducting the public affairs afterward He 
was once general of the militia. He erected a valuable mill for those days on Elk River, 
two miles from Fayetteville. 

Joseph Greer settled on his vast domain on Cane Creek near Petersburg. He was a 
giant in stature, standing six feet seven inches and "well built proportionately." He was 
one of the forty gallant defenders of Watauga Station in 1769. He was also a hero of 
King's Mountain, and it was he who bore the news of that splendid victory to Congress, 
then sitting in Pliiladelphia. He dressed in the style of the old aristocratic Virginia gen- 
tleman. Thomas Leonard, Hugh M. Blake, Jesse Riggs, Peter Luna, James Blakemore, 
Capt. William Crunk and John and Ezekial March were also settlers on Cane Creek in the 
first and second decades of this century. Crur^k and Blakemore were noted for their so- 
cial qualities, and dances were frequent at their homes. On Swan Creek, N. G. Pinson, 
Joel Pinson and Wright Williams were prominent "first cane cutters," and men who 
bore their share of the load in administering public affairs. In what is now embraced in 
the Twelfth and Thirteenth Civil Districts the first settlements were made by James 
McCormick, John Anderson, Henry Taylor and Richard Wyatt. On Norris Creek early 
homes were made by Fieldeu McDaniel, Moses Hardin, William Edmonson, John Ray, 
George Cunningham, Samuel Todd, Isaac Congo, Jenkins and Parks. On Mul- 
berry Creek were John J. Whittaker, a good and prominent man; John Morgan, grand- 
father of Hon. John M. Bright, Brice M. Garner, who soon removed to Fayetteville, and 
Gen. William Moore. Others were the several Whitakers, Hardy Holman, William Brown, 
Enoch Douthat, the Waggoners and Isaac Sebastian. 

Other settlements on Norris Creek were made prior to 1810 by Ebenezer McEwen, 
Robert Higgins, Amos Small and Philip Fox. It is said that Davy Crockett also lived in 
the vicinity of the waters of Mulberry, in the eastern part of the county, in 1809-10. 

In Fayetteville James Bright, who is mentioned above, was one of the most promi- 
nent first settlers. James Buchanan, Francis Porterfield, Brice M. Garner, John P. Mc- 
■ Connell, Robert C. Kennedy, Benjamin Clements, and many others, made up the first 
citizens of the town. Alexander Beard settled near Fayetteville, south of the river. He 
had a large body of land, but lost a great portion of it in confirming his title, which, among 
many other North Carolina grants, was contested. Philip Koonce settled betvi'een Shel- 
ton Creek and Duke Creek in 1807 or 1808, and near by him, on Shelton Creek, settled 
Henry Kelso, about the same time. Tunstall Gregory settled on the waters of Shelton 
Creek, and John Duke on Duke Creek. Michael Rolinson was one of the first settlers 
on Coldwater Creek; but an old man, named Abbot, lived in that part of the county 
"five years, before he knew anj' one else lived within one hundred miles of him," so says 
one who vouches for tlje truth of it. A great many settlements were made prior to 1810, 
on the waters of Coldwater, but names can not be obtained. A man named Peyton Wells 
was the first to make a home in the vicinity of Wells' Hill. He kept a noted " ordinary " 
•or tavern. A man named Harper was the first to settle on the branch that now bears his 
name. Joseph Dean and William Todd soon became his neighbors. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 769 

The southeastern part of the county was sparsely settled along in the "twenties, " but 
the barrenness of the soil has deterred many from locating there. 

Many other settlers suffered privations and hardships, as well as those above given, 
but their names and places of settlement are lost to reliable tradition. In 1808 land en- 
tries were made by the following: Anthony Foster, Daniel Cherry, John Morgan, Benja- 
min Fitzrandolph and George Maxwell. Other land entries were made as follows: 1809— 
Adam Meek, William Richey. Robert Davis, Nicholas Perkins, John Richardson, Joseph 
Greer, Michael Robertson, W. P. Anderson, Oliver Williams, Nicholas Coonrod, Newton 
Cannon, Wright Morgan, Abram Maury, Stephen Holbert, Malcom Gilchrist, William 
Martin, Edward Bryans, Jacob Castleman, Nimrod Williams, Jesse Franklin, John Tes- 
ley, Daniel Kinley, Philip Phillips, Michael Campbell, Samuel Garland, William Town- 
zen, Robert Bigham and Robert Tucker. 1810— Armstead Stubblefield, Abuer Wells, 
William Rountree, Lemuel Koonce, Thomas R. Butler, Francis Nichson, John- Cunning- 
ham, William Edmiston, James Buchanan, Morris Shaw, Thomas Edmiston, John Alcorn, 
Robert Elliott. Robert Nelson, James Winchester and Thomas Hickman. 1811-13 — Reu- 
ben Stuart, John Cone, Timothy Hunter, James Coats, Roger B. Sapington, Henry 
Rutherford. 181 3-14— Robert C. Kennedy, Robert Henry, Alexander Newberry, Brice 
M. Garner, John Coffman, Francis McCown, Mary Gray, David Cowen, Hugh Heart- 
grave, James McBride, Joseph Garner, Jeremiah Burks, Elyan Clements, Alden Tuck- 
er, Thomas Clark, Joel Butler,'' Daniel Read, William McGehee, Jesse George, Edward 
Harding, Samuel Ragsdale, Samuel Yager and Aaron Dutton. 1815-20— William Dick- 
son, Jr., Jesse Pugh, William Smith, Warren Calhoun, LavisPugh, John Russell, Andrew 
Greer, William Dickson, David McGlathery, Henry Rutherford, David Dodd, James 
Boyle, John Clark, George Price, Joseph Byers and Joseph Street. 

Doubtless many other grants were issued, the records of which are lost. Many of 
the above persons settled here before obtaining their grants, and some who obtained 
grants did not permanently settle, and even some were speculators who never lived in the 
county. On account of the climate and the fertile soil settlers were attracted to Lincoln 
County, and in 1833 it had a population of 10,788 free white persons. Since then parts of the 
county have been formed into other counties. In 1880 the population was 26,960. 

Among the oldest persons now living in the county and who have been in the county 
since its pioneer days, are Hon. John M. Bright, Rev. J. W. Holman and C. A. French, 
of Fayetteville, and Hugh M. Blake and Joseph Gill, of Petersburg. Early pioneers found 
it no trival matter to develop their farms and raise their families. Not only was farm- 
ing to be developed, but milling, merchandising, schools and churches, all required atten- 
tion. However, these people were happy in their condition, and various were their 
amusements. Fayetteville, Petersburg and Arnold's Grocery (now Smithland) were 
noted places for settlement of all grudges, in "pummelling" fights. The lookers-on en- 
joyed this very much, and it was their duty to see fair play. No weapons or mi.ssiles 
were to be used, and "it was not fair to bite." In Fayetteville was a "grocery," in which 
fighting was such a common occurrence that it was known as the "war office." Militia 
musters were "big days" for the people. 

Grist-mills were erected on the creeks and on Elk River, and there were several horse- 
mills in the county. To these horse-mills each man took his own horse or horses, and 
hitched them to the sweep to turn the mill while his grist was grinding. The water- 
mills were more economical, that is, they needed no horse power. 

Joel Yowell, an early citizen of Petersburg, had a large horse-mill two mdes from 
Petersburg, with a hand-bolting machine attached. Jesse Rlggs and Thomas Leonard 
also had mills of this kiud. Leonard and Yowell had wheat threshers attached to their 
mills, and Leonard also had a cotton-gin attached. However, threshing was mostly done 
by "tramping it out." 

In 1811 the county court granted Elias Lunsford permission to build a saw mill on 
Mulberry Creek. This mill was built the following year. In 1814 David I'. Monroe built 
a grist-mill on the west fork of Cane Creek. Francis Finchee built a grist-mill in 1815. 
In 1820 Nathaniel B. Binkiugham built a mill on Cane Creek on a tract of school land. 



770 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Taverns were numerous, and were situated in all parts of the county without regard 
to towns. Ephraim Parham, Vance Greer, William Cross, Brice M. Garner and John 
Kelley obtained tavern license in 1811. Collins Leonard, Jesse Riggs, Cornelius Slater, 
John D. Spain, John P. McConnell, Elisha Boyles, Willie Garrett, George Stobah,C. R. Mil- 
born, David Cobb, Joseph Dean, JohnParks. William Smith, Walter Kinnard, Enoch Dou- 
that, John H. Zevillj^ John Houston, John Parks, Thomas Rountree and William Mitchell 
were other tavern keepers in tlie teens. These taverns were also known as "ordinaries," 
"houses of entertainment," etc. 

Elk River was crossed by means of ferries. Ezekiel Norris had one of the first ferries 
on the river. William P. Anderson established a ferry at the moutli of Farris Creek in 
1830, and Andrew Hannah, in 1822, established one at Hannah Ford. 

Produce was marketed by means of flat-boats carrying it out of Elk River and down 
to New Orleans, and by wagons to Nashville. The very earliest merchants obtained their 
goods mainly from Baltimore, and brought them here bj^ wagons from that city. Estill 
& Garner were experienced flat-boatmen. They took out boats each year, and returned 
on foot from New Orleans. At first cotton was not raised here to any extent, and that 
article was obtained in Alabama and freighted by wagons. Scouting Indians frequented 
these first settlements, but very few depredations were committed by them. It is handed 
down by reliable tradition that three men, whose names were Taylor, Anderson and 
Reed were scalped by the Indians while out searching for a horse. Another incident oc- 
curred wherein the Indians forced their waj'' into a house where a woman was making 
soap. The woman had secreted hei'self behind the door with a gourd full of boiling 
soap, and upon their entrance she "anointed" the dirty red-skins with telling effect, caus- 
ing them to flee for cooler parts. 

Lincoln County was created by an act of the Legislature in 1809. The following is the 
act so far jvs it relates to establishment of the county: 
An act to est\bltsii a County soutii of Bedford, to be known by the name of 

Lincoln. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Oeneral Assembly of Tennessee, That Lincoln County 
shall be laid off and established within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning on the 
northeast corner of Giles County and extending south with the eastern boundary line of 
Giles County to the southern boundary line of the State; thence with that line east to a 
point due south of the mouth of Cove Spring Creek; thence north to the southern bound- 
ary line of Bedford County; and tlience, with tiie said line, westwardly, to the beginning. 

Sec. 2. Be it enacted, That John Whitaker, Sr., Wright Williams, Eli Garret, 
Littleton Duty and Jesse Woodruff be, and they are hereby, appointed commissioners with 
full power to procure by purchase, or otherwise, 100 acres of land on or near the north 
bank of Elk River, as near the center of the county, east and west, as a proper situation 
will admit of, and at all events not more than two miles from said center. 

Sec. 3. Be it enacted. That the said commissioners, immediately after procuring the 
aforesaid 100 acres of land, shall cause a town to be laid off thereon, reserving near the 
center thereof a public square of two acres, on which the court house and stocks shall be 
built, likewise reserving a lot in any other portion of said town for the purpose of erecting 
a jail; and the said town, when so laid off, shall be named Fayetteville. 

Sec. 6. Beit enacted. That the court of pleas and quarter sessions for the county 
of Lincoln shall be held on the fourth Monday in the months of February, May, August 
and November annually, at the house of Brice M. Garner until a place is provided for 
holding the said court in the town of Fayetteville. 

Sec. 11. Be it enacted, That the militia of the county shall compose the Thirty-ninth 
Regiment and be attached to the Fifth Brigade. 

Sec. 14. Be it enacted. That this act shall be in force from the first day of Januar}^ 
in the year one thousand eight hundred and ten. 

The county thus established assumed the form of a rectangle in outline, but in 1835 a 
part of the territory now constituted in Marshall County was taken from the original 
Lincoln County, and in 1872 Moore County was created, embracing a part of Lincoln. 

The first county court met Monday, February 26, 1810, at the house of Brice M. Gar- 
ner, and the following men were qualified justices of the peace by Oliver Williams, Esq., 
of Williamson County: Thomas L. Trotter, Wright Williams, William Smith, John 
Whitaker, Sr., William Dickson, William Roundtree, Eli Garrett, Philip Koonce, Henry 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 771 

Kelso, Robert Higgins, Samuel Barns, Littleton Duty, James Fuller, James Stallard, Jesse 
WoodrufE and Nathan G. Piusou. Philip Koonce was appointed chairman and Thomas 
H. Benton was made clerk pro tern., and entered the first minutes upon record. County 
officers were elected, an allowance of $1 each for wolf scalps was made, stock marks 
were recorded, constables were sworn in, justices were appointed to "take the tax," etc. 
At this term 2,662 acres of taxable land were reported. Harvey Holman, "Wright Will- 
iams, Littleton Duty, Eli Garrett and John Whitakerwere appointed to locate the county 
seat. They bought 100 acres of land of Ezekiel Norris and platted the town of Fayette- 
ville. 

At the May term William Allen was fined $3 for "profane swearing,"and at the Au- 
gust term taxes were laid as follows: 6J cents on each 100 acres of land; 6^ cents on each 
poll (white and black), and 12^ cents on each stallion. Ferriage rates across Elk River 
were established at the following: Wagon, team and driver, 50 cents; cart or other two- 
wheel carriage, 25 cents; man and horse, 6i cents; footman, 6J cents, and live stock 2 cents 
per head. Tavern rates were made: Good whisky per half pint, 12^ cents; good peach 
brandy, 12^ cents; good West India rum, 25 cents; good "diet, " 25 cents; good lodging, 6i 
cents; good "stableage with hay or fodder for 12 hours, " 25 cents; good corn per gallon, 
6i cents. Brice M. Garner was allowed $15 for the use of his house for the holding of 
court, and $30 for furnishing county seal and record books. Jurors were allowed 50 cents 
each per day for service. At this term -a man entered court with an ear bleeding from 
being bitten off in a fight. He had the incident recorded at length to avoid the imputation 
of having been "cropped under the penal laws. " The clerk charged the usual fee for re- 
cording a hog mark. At a term in 1811 two men were each fined $125 for not attending 
as witnesses in an important civil suit. 

The county officers, so far as names and dates can be obtained, liave been as follows: 
Sheriffs— Cornelius Slater, 1810; John Greer, 1812; Francis Porterfield, 1822; William Hus- 
band, 1826; Andrew Kincannon, 1828; Alfred Smith, 1833; William C. Blake, 1836; Con- 
stant Smith, 1840; William B. McLaughlin, 1844; E. G. Buchanan, 1847; Eli L. Hodge, 
1848; James Hanks, 1852; W. M. Alexander, 1854; Moses Cruse, 1856; W. M. Alexander. 
1858; Moses Cruse, 1860; William Moffett, 1862; John H. Steelman, 1864; William F. Tay- 
lor. 1866; C. S. Wilson, 1868; F. W. Keith, 1868; H. B. Morgan, 1870; W. A. Millard, 1872; 
R. F. Holland, 1878; W. A. Cunningham, 1882;. George W. Poindexter. 1884. Trustees- 
John Rhea, 1810; Ebenezer McEwen, 1816; William Neeld, 1826; Samuel E. Gilleland, 1828. 

E. M. Ringo, 1836; John J. Ramsay, 1838; Richard White, 1842; E. M. Riugo, 1844; S. J. 
Isaacs, 1850; William B. Rhea, 1853; William Neeld, 18.54; A. S. Randolph, 1858; William 
R. Smith, 1862; William P. Neeld, 1864; J. D. Scott, 1866; J. H. Carey, 1868; J. D. Scott, 
1870; J. J. Cummins, 1872: H. C. Street, 1874; Henry Henderson, 1876-86. Registers- 
Samuel Barns, 1810; Cornelius Slater, 1816; Peter M. Ross, 1832; John Goodrich, 1836; 
Daniel J. Whittington, 1852; Peter Cunningham, 1860; Miles Ramsay, 1862; A. T. Nicks, 
1864; A. J. Childress, 1869; P. D. Boyce, 1870; B. B. Thompson, 1874-86. Rangers— Philip 
Koonce, 1810-41; William Neeld, 1841; William T. Berry, 1843; A. H. Berry, 1848; N. O. 
Wallace, 1853-86. County Court Clerks— Brice M. Garner, 1810-32; Robert S. Inge, 1832. 

F. L. Kincannon, 1832; Charles Boyles, 1836; George W. Jones, 1840; Harmon Husband, 
1843; Henry Kelso, 1844; George Cunningham, 1852; E. L. Hodge, 1854; Norris Leather- 
wood, 1857; Daniel J. Whittington, 1858; John T. Gordon, 1864; E. P. Reynolds, 1868; 
John Y. Gill, 1870; P. D. Boyce, 1874; E. S. Wilson, 1882 

In 1856 J. R. Chilcoat was elected county judge, and served until the war. Afterward 
were elected T. J. McGarvey, 1869; H. C. Cowen, 1870; M. W. Woodard, 1873; N. P. 
Carter, 1874. Circuit court clerks: James Bright, 1810-36; Alfred Smith, 1836; J. R. 
Chilcoat, 1848; R. S. Woodard, 1856; M. W. Woodard, 1868; Rane McKinney, 1870; A. 
B. Woodard, 1873; Theodore Harris, 1874; W. C. Morgan, 1878. 

Chancery clerks and masters previous to the war were Davis Eastland, James Bright, 
Robert Farquharson and John Fulton served successively. Afterward were Robert Far- 
quharson, until 1869; Davis Clark, 1869; A. S. Fulton, 1876; W. B. Martin, 1879. Chan- 



772 HISTOEY OP TENNESSEE. 

cellors: B. L. Briimlitt, Terry II. Cahall, B. L. Ridley, John Steele, A. S. Knox, J. W. 
Burton and E. D. Hancock. 

The first court house builtwasonly for temporary use, until another could be erected. 
It was 18x20 feet in the clear, built with round logs, and "covered with a good cabin 
roof." It had a "seat for the jury, court and bar, and a resting place for the feet of the 
court, all of good plank." It was built in 1811 on one corner of the Public Square, by 
James Fuller, for $35. The first jail was built in 1810, with logs not less than twelve 
inches in diameter and ten feet long." The walls, floor and loft were " all of logs of the 
same description." In November, 1811, a contract to built a new two-story brick court 
house on the SquAre, was taken by Micajah and William M(;Elro3% for $3,995. The court 
afterward allowed $750 extra for the work, thus making the total cost of the building 
$4,745. This court house was torn down in 1873, and the present one was erected by Will- 
iam T. Moyers, James N. Allbright and William E. Turley, for $39,579.30. J. H. liolman, 
H. C. Cowan and John Y. Gill composed the committee to report the plans, specifications 
and estimates for the building; Theodore Harris superintended the work. The second 
jail that was built, was a two-story brick building, lined on the inside with logs, the logs 
being protected by sheet iron. It was built about the same time as the court house. The 
present jail was built in 1868, and by contract was to cost not more than $33,000. It is 
of stone. 

The stone bridge across Elk River is one of the best structures of the kind in the 
State. It was built in 1861 at a cost of about $40,000. It is of limestone, contains six 
elliptical arches, and is 450 feet in its entire length. The roadway is flanked on either 
side by a stone wall three feet high and two feet wide. 

The civil divisions of the county were first designated by the companies of militia in 
the respective parts of the county, i. e., the civil officers of the county were elected 
from the various militia companies, as they now are from the civil districts. In 1835 the 
county was laid off into twenty-five civil districts. The lines have been changed from 
time to time, but still the same number is retained. The school districts have not 
always coincided with the civil districts, but are now one and the same. 

Among the first acts of the co'unty court was one to provide for the poor, and in 1815 
a special tax was assessed for the county poor. About 1826 a poor farm was purchased 
and a poor house erected, the supervision of which was put under three commissioners, 
regularly appointed by the court. The poor are still cared for in this manner. 

At different times agricultural societies have been organized, but have as often i)roved 
to be institutions of short life. The first one was organized in 1834. 

In the year 1858 Fayetteville was connected with the main line of the Nashville & 
Chattanooga Railroad by the branch built from Decherd to Fayetteville, and in 1883 the 
narrow gauge road was built from Columbia to Fayetteville. The main support of these 
roads is the agricultural ])roduct, which in turn brings in articles of general merchandise. 
Pikes connect Fayetteville with Lynchburg and Shelbyviile, and extend from Fayetteville 
for several miles in all directions. 

The political cast of the county is strongly Democratic. In 1884 the vote for presi- 
dent and governor stood as follows: Cleveland, 3,382; Blaine, 890; Bate, 2,220; Reid, 941. 

Financially old Lincoln is on a strong foundation. She has first class public build- 
ings, good general improvements, with a firm backing of a good agricultural soil. The 
tax for 1884 shows a total valuation of taxable property of $3,564,340; number of acres of 
land, 345,722, valued at $3,628,780. The State tax for 1880 is $10,192; county tax, $12,692; 
school tax, $16,257; road tax. $2,393; making a total tax of $41,535. These figures 
include the estimate on railroad and telegraph property valued at $166,890. In 1885 there 
was reported in the county 9,325 horses and mules, 14,090 cattle, 11,969 sheep, 42,415 hogs, 
1,070 bushels barley, 213 bushels buckwheat. 1,253,919 bushels corn, 37,908 bushels oats, 
1,641 bushels rye and 275,463 bushels wheat. 

Upon the bench of the circuit court sat Judge Thomas Stewart to hold the first court 
in this county. Then came Judge Kennedy for a time, who was succeeded by Judge Ed- 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 773 

mund Dillahunty, who held for a number of years. A. J. Marchbanks was the next judge, 
and continued on the bench until the war. Gov. Brownlow then appointed N. A. Patter- 
son, who became the laughins? stock for the lawyers who attended court. He was "defic- 
ient in the organs of hearing," and very " eccentric in nature." Then came W. P. Hick- 
erson, who did not serve a full term. He resigned and was succeeded by Judge J. J. 
Williams, who was afterward elected to fill the term now closing. For many years Erwin 
J. Frierson was the attorney-general, and he was superseded in turn by A. F. Goff, James 
H. Thomas, Joseph Carter, George J. Stubblefield, J. H. Holman, J. D. Tillman and A. B. 
Woodard, the present incumbent of the ofiice. The court in early days was engaged 
mainly in trying petty offenses, and not until 1825 was there a sentence of death pro- 
nounced. Duncan Bonds had murdered Felix Grundy, and was found guilty. He took 
an appeal to the Supreme Court of the State. A jury in 1828 rendered a verdict of guilty 
upon a charge of murder committed by a man named McClure, upon D. C. Hall. He re- 
ceived the sentence of death, and was hung in the spring of 1829. About 1847 a negro 
named Bill Moore was sentenced and hung for an attempted rape. In 1862 John George 
was sentenced to be hung for murdering Hosea Towry. He escaped from jail. Two 
years previous to this, in 1860, a negro, Alf, was hung for murdering his master, William 
Stevens. The whipping post and pillory often received the victims of the judge's sen- 
tence for the various offenses, and men were imprisoned for debt- 

The bar of Lincoln County is one that ranks high in Tennessee. Not only are the 
members at present eminent and able lawyers, but from the first Lincoln County has given 
a home to many able men. At the first meeting of the county court was present Thomas 
H. Benton. He drew up the minutes of the first session of that court, and was the coun- 
ty's legal advocate on organization. He resided in Fayetteville for a number of years. 
He then arose to adorn the nation's highest legislative council, of which he was a mem- 
ber for thirty-two years, and was truly " an eminent man of America." Contemporary 
with him was L. P. Montgomery, widely known as the brave Capt. Montgomery, who be- 
gan the practice of law in 1810, and who fell at the battle of Horse-Shoe. In 1810 George 
B. Baulch, George Coalter, William White, Joseph Phillips, Marmaduke Williams,Matthew 
D. Wilson and Alfred Harris were permitted to practice in the county. In 1811 Eli Tol- 
bert, Samuel Acres and Charles Manton were allowed to practice. George C. Witt and 
W. 8. Pontine also practiced here in that year. Hon. C. C. Clay, of Huntsville, Ala., at- 
tended this court as early as 1811, as also did John McKinney and John Tolbert. Other 
lawyers from adjoining counties visited this court professionally, among whom were 
Judge Haywood, and, later, Nathan Green, James Campbell, William Gilchrist, Oliver B. 
Hays, Lunsford M. Bramlett and Thomas M. Fletcher. Other prominent early lawyers 
were James Fulton, Samuel W. Carmack, Charles Boyles, William C. Kennedy, William 
P. Martin, William M. Inge and John H. Morgan. John H. Morgan, after a number of 
years in Fayetteville, moved to Memphis, thence to Mississippi, and was elevated to the 
bench in that State. He was the father of Hon. J. B. Morgan, of Mississippi. William 
P. Martin moved from Fayetteville to Columbia, Tenn., and there was a judge for 
many years. 

Kennedy also removed to Columbia, where he too was elevated to the bench. He be- 
came the owner of quite a number of slaves, which he emancipated and transported to the 
African colony of Liberia. W. M. Inge was for many years associated in law with L. W. 
Carmack at Fayetteville. He served one term in Congress from the district which then 
included Lincoln County, and afterward made his home in Alabama. 

Carmack was born in 1802; was an able and learned lawyer. In 1832 he moved to 
Florida, although retaining a summer home in Fayetteville. He arose to prominence in 
Florida, and died in 1849. 

James Fulton has been styled the "father of the Fayetteville bar." He located in 
Fayetteville in 1820, when twenty-two years of age. He filled one term as attorney-gen- 
eral in early life, but devoted his time to the prosecution of his, profession rather than 
pursue official honors. He was an able lawyer and a highly respected citizen. His death 
occurred in 1856. 



774 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Previous to 1835 tlie following were permitted to practice law in the county: E. B. 
Robertson, William Kell}% Trj'on Yancey, besides those above mentioned. Others were 
W. D. Thompson and Henry B. Ely, 1827; Davis Eastland, 1839; John R. Greer and 
Robert Inge, 1833; Andrew A. Kincannon and Elliott H. Fletcher, 1834; George W. 
Jones, 1839. Mr. Jones was born in 1806, and came to this county when young. He was 
three times elected to the Legislature. For sixteen years he was a member of Congress, 
and was in the Senate once. In his congressional career he received the nickname of 
"the watch dog of the treasury." He was also a member of the Confederate Congress 
and of the constitutional convention of 1870. He was a very able and popular man, filling 
many of the county offices and taking especial pride in his county's welfare. His death 
occurred in 1884. He devoted no time to the practice of law, but lived almost wholly in 
political circles. Other prominent early attorneys of the county were Felix G. McCon- 
nell. who went to Alabama and afterward served in the United States Congress, commit- 
ting suicide while a member of that body; W. T. Ross, a very able advocate; John C. 
Rodgers, who died young, but was an able lawyer; and Archibald Yell, who was a man 
of "ability and temper." He and Hon. G. W. Jones once engaged in a physical combat 
before the county court, of which Jones was chairman. Yell threw a book at Jones, and 
Jones immediately returned the salute by a personal presentation with knife in hand. By 
the interference of other parties, no injury was done. Yell commanded a regiment in the 
Mexican war and was killed at the battle of Buena Vista. 

The influence of W. H. Stephens, R. G. Payne, V/. F. Kercheval, F. B. Fulton and 
J. W. Newman, has been felt at the bar. Since 1840 Robert Farquharson, who was prom- 
inent in the county, but did not give much time to law; David P. Hurley, who was a 
member of the bar but a short time, and Jas. M. Davidson, an able young lawyer, have 
held licenses to practice in these courts. Others were D. B. Cooper, who died when yet 
young; Davis W. Clark, who pursued the profession but a short time, but was an influ- 
ential man; J. R. Chilcoat, who was the first county judge; Thomas Kercheval, now the 
mayor of Nashville; Ed R. Bearden, O. P. Bruce and Thomas B. Kercheval. 

Hon. John M. Bright is the oldest member of the bar now living, and has probabl}' 
acquired the most prominence in political circles. He was born in Fayetteville about 
1818, and has ever since made this his home. He is able as an attorney, and was a prom- 
inent member of the Legislature of Tennessee before the war. In 1880 he retired from 
Congress, where he had served for several years. J. B. Lamb is one of the oldest and 
most successful attorneys of the county, and has been a member of the Legislature. He 
is the senior member of the law firm of Lamb & Tillman, of which Col. J. D. Tillman is 
the other member. He is a son of the Hon. Lewis Tillman, late of Bedford County. He 
was lieutenant-colonel (afterward colonel) of the Forty-first Regiment of Tennessee In- 
fantry in the late war. J. H. Holman has been a member of the bar since 1866, and is 
widely known for his ability. J. H. Burnham is a good speaker, and was on the Han- 
cock electoral ticket. He is now making the race for chancellor of this district. N. P. 
Carter is the county judge and a practicing lawyer. A. B. Woodard. the attorney-gen- 
eral, was reared in Fayetteville, the son of R. S. Woodard, who was a prominent man of 
the county. M. W. Woodard, also a son of R. S. Woodard, is a practicing attorney, and 
has been identified with public offices of the county. Joe G. Carrigau and G. W. Hig- 
gins are also able attorneys, and have both been in the Legislature. G. B. Boyles is an 
attorney at law, and now fills the office of recorder at Fayetteville. Others are Col. N. 
J. George, who was a lieutenant-colonel in Turney's First Tennessee; A. M. Solomon, an 
ex-member of the Legislature; R. L. Bright, S. W. Carmack, C. C. McKinney, F. P. Tay- 
lor, W. B. Lamb, John Routt and George H. Newman. 

The sobriquet of "The Banner County," so often applied to Lincoln, appropriately 
represents its attitude in military matters. Hardly had the first few settlers begun to call 
this their home before Jackson's troops for the war of 1813 asked and received recruits 
from the county, among whom were Gen William Moore, who commanded a company; 
Charles McKinney, S. S. Buchanan, William B. McLaughlin, Frank Smith and others — 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 775 

as mAny as fifteen altogelber. These troops made Fayetteville their I'eudezvous, and up- 
on starting upon the campaign they marched out 2,500 strong and crossed Elk River, near 
where the stone bridge now is. These men served throughout the war, participating in 
the battle of New Orleans. A patriotic response was again made to the call for troops in 

1836. A full company, commanded by Capt. Tipps, entered from Lynchburg, and 

another company was raised bj^ Capt. George A. Wilson, but was not mustered into serv- 
ice. However, Capt. Wilson raised a spy company of about fifty men and entered the 
service. The following are remembered as members of this company. Augustus Steed, 
lieutenant; W. H. Bright, bugleman; William Robertson, David F. Robertson, Henderson 
Robertson, C. B. Rodgers and Oliver Garland. These were from Fayetteville and the im- 
mediate viciuitj", while many from the various parts of the county also enlisted in this 
company, as well as in that of Capt. Tipps. By the act organizing the county the militia 
of Lincoln was made the Thirty-ninth Regiment and was attached to the Fifth Brigade. 
For many years the militia musters were largely attended, and amusements invariably 
attended them. 

In the spring of 1846 a company of eighty-three men, known as the Lincoln Guards, 
was raised at Fayetteville for the Mexican war. It was ofiicered as follows: Captain, 
Pryor Buchanan; first lieutenant, A. S. Fulton; second lieutenant, John V. Moyers; third 
lieutenant, C. A. McDaniel; orderly sergeant, William T. Slater. The company left Fay- 
etteville March 31, 1846, and participated in the battle of Monterey, where several mem- 
bers were killed. 

Early in the spring of 1861, and after the fall of Fort Sumter, and the call of Presi- 
dent Lincoln for troops from Tennessee, war was the only thing discussed in Lincoln 
• County. Old gray haired men, devoted wives, sisters and mothers talked of war until 
the whole atmosphere was full of it. Children after listening to the discussions and im- 
agining that they could almost see the blood flow were "afraid to go to bed," and were 
often afllicted with nightmare. Little tow-headed boj^s were shouting the battle whoop 
from every cabin. Old saws, hoes, etc., were soon upon the forge or held to the grindstone, 
to make the large, ugly, ill-shaped bowie knives. Almost every man carried two of 
these knives which were to repel the invasion in the hand-to-hand conflict which was imag- 
ined to be approaching. Public meetings were almostdaily occurrences and fiery speeches 
were "long and loud." Men, women, and children, of all ages, sizes and colors, went out 
to these meetings and joined in the general enthusiasm. Even ladies fell into the ranks 
of the drilling companies— even the most refined and intelligent; willing to part with— 
sacrifice, if necessary— those most near and dear to them, were enthusiastic and materially 
aided in sending forth the grand array of volunteers. 

When the question of separation was submitted to the people, Lincoln polled 3,892 
votes for separation and not one for no separation. However, even before the State se- 
ceded companies were organized and war preparations were rapidly going on. The first 
companies raised were four, which composed a part of Turney's First Tennessee, and 
one of which was raised principally in what is now Moore County. The others were of- 
ficered as follows: Company G— B. F. Ramsey, captain; John Shackelford, first lieuten- 
ant; F. G. Buchanan, second lieutenant; Thomas Wilson, third lieutenant; and John 
Thoer, orderly sergeant. Company K— N. C. Davis, captain; T. J. Sugg, first lieuten- 
ant; Joe Davidson, second lieutenant; J. B. Turuey, third lieutenant; John W. Nelson, 
first sergeant. Company H— Jacob Cruse, captain; M. V. McLaughlin, first lieutenant; 
N. J. George, second lieutenant. These companies left Fayetteville April 29, 1861, for 
Winchester, where the regiment was organized. These companies were with Turney's 
First Tennessee Confederates from the first of the war to its close, being in the hottest 
parts of many of the great battles of the war. 

The field oflScers of this regiment who were from this county were, upon organization 
J. H. Holman, lieutenant-colonel; D.W. Holman, major. Upon re-organization John 
Shackelford, lieutenant-colonel; M. V. McLaughlin, major. These officers were killed 
at Gaines Mill and their places filled by N. J. George, lieutenant-colonel, and F. G. 



770 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Biu'liiinaii. major. Dr. C R. ^loCiuiro was sui\U(>on of ilw iviiinu'ut ami was aftr^ward 
bri_<r;ulo snr_«;-0(ni. 

Wliilo Ihosi' oompanios wore ovixaniziuj;; ami s>oiiij; forth to iluly, othors wore also 
forthcoming,'. On May U. 18tU, four othtT oompanios loft. Fayotteville. and on the same 
day arrived at Camp Harris, in Franklin Coiiiily. where they were mustered into the 
service of the State on the 17th of the same month by Colonel D. II. Smythe of Liniohi 
County. These companies were assis^ned to the .Eiirhth Tennessee, under the command of 
Col. A. S. Fulton, of Lincoln County. Lincoln County was also represented in this rciiimeui 
by W. Lawson Moore. licutiMiant-colonel; Chris C. MiKinncy. adjutant; Dr. G. B. Les- 
ter, assistant surgeon; and David Tucker, chaplain. C\Mnpany li, known as the Peters- 
burg Sharp Shooters, was raised at IVtersburg. with A. U. Hall as captain; Chris C. Mc- 
Kinncy. tirst lieutenant; T. W. Bledsoe, second lieutenant; C. >!. Allen, third lieu- 
tenant; and N. P. Koonce. orderly sergeant. Company C was' officered as follows: 
Kane McKinney, captain; N. M. Bearden. first lieutenant; T. W. Rauey. second lieu- 
tenant; A. >[. Downing, third lieutenant; and R. D. Hardin, orderly sergeant. It was 
known as the Comargo Guards. Company G. Norris Creek Guards, was raised at Norris 
Creek with George W. Higgius. captain; W. C. Griswell. first lieutenant; David Sulli- 
van, second lieutenant; E. S. N. Bobo, third lieutenant; Joseph G. Carrigan. orderly 
sergeant. Company H W!is commanded by W. L. Moore until he wiis electeil lieutenant- 
colonel, and was then olVicered as follows: W. ,1. Thcash. captain; William Bonner, 
first lieutenant; W. L. Sliofncr. second lieutenai\t; T. H. Freeman, third lieutenant; ti. 
W. AVaggoner. first sergeant. 

The Eighth Tennessee was one of the two rcgimenls lh;U made the almost unpar- 
alleled Cheat Mountain campaign, emluring those .severe privations, marching through 
rain day and night, leaving the roads stained with blood from their feet, and abnost 
starving for want of food. Without blankets or tents and with very little food, for eight 
days these troops were undaunted in their onward march and in their flight for life, but 
many took sick and died from exposure and fatigue. Two comiianies were raised in the 
western part of the county and constituted in the Thirty-second Regiment. One of them 
was known as the Millville :\Ien: J. J. Finney, captain; W. P. A. George, first lieuten- 
ant; Jno. W. Wright, second lieutenant; Jno. P. McGuire, third lieutenant; David F. 
Hobbs, first sergeant. The other was the Swan Creek Guards: C. G.Tucker, cajnaiu; 
John Roach, first lieutenant; .1. T. I'igg, second lieutenant; H. H. Tucker, third lieuten- 
ant; J. S. Finley. first sergeant. The quartermaster of this regiment was E. S. Wilson, 
of this countv. 

Then came the organization of the Forty-first Tennessee, wiiose colonel was Robert 
Farquliarson. of this county, and whose lieutenant-colonel (^afterward colonel) was J. D. 
Tillman, now of Lincoln, then of Bedford. Lincoln furnished four companies to this 
regiment, viz.: One (company C) commanded by Capt. J. D. Scott, whose lieutenants were 
B. J. Chafin. J. R. Feeney. and Jacob Anthony, and afterward commanded bj' Chafinand 
Feeuey successively; one from Mulberry (Company A) commanded by W. W. James, 
whose lieutenants were L. Leftwich, Christopher Carrigher and A. D. Johnson; one 
(known as Liberty Guards) commanded by J. H. George, with the following lieutenants; 
William Smith. T. D. Griffis and S. A. Hopkins: and one commanded by W. B. Fou- 
ville, whose lieutenants were W. S. Bearden. A. A. Woods and E. R. Bearden. These 
companies left Fayetteville r.bout the last days of September. 18lU. and the regiment 
was organized at Camp Trousdale. 

The Forty-fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp 
Trousdale in November, ISiU, with C. A. McDaniel. colonel, and D. J. Noblett. as- 
sistant surgeon, from this county. It also includrd four companies from Lincoln; one 
commanded by C. A. McDaniel. who, upon being elected colonel, was superseded by T. 
M. Bell, and he by J. E. Spencer, with the following lieutenants, Joseph Cunningham, 
A. B. Rhea, and J. J. Martin; one by W. A. Rhodes, with J. H. Patterson. Jacob Van 
Hoozer and C. K. Moody as lieutenants; one from Shelton Creek, commanded by Capt. 
Smith; and one from Swan Creek, commanded by Capt. Stiles. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 777 

Thft Forty-fourlh was actively cn^a^^cd in hoiiic of ttic iU-rcc. roiifliftH oi i\ii: war. At, 
Hhiloii forty-two per (tent, of tlioHC of the rej^irnent actually in combat were killed and 
wounded. Afterward this regiment and ti)e Fifly-fiftJi Tenne.sHce wr;re consolidatrid, 
Htill retaining the name of the former, and embracing anothc-r r-ompany from this county, 
wiiiftii was organizefl in the latter part of 1801, by W. H. Moore, and endjraced in the 
F'ifty fifth upon tlie organization of that regiment, pearly in \Hi',2 another company waH 
rai.sed by Capt. Jame.s It. liright, with K. B. Parks, J. L. Moore and Stephen lif^yd, m 
lieuKnantH, and entr;rf!d an infantry rftgiment of Kentucky. After tJic battlf; of Hhiloh 
the company was reorgani/,r;fl with W. P. Simpson, captain, anfl .1. ]'>. Price, T. 1). Hill 
ai;d <}. \V. Jones, ]icutr:nanfs. .]. ]j. Moon; who was .second lirMitf^nant at its first orgainza- 
tion, afterward raiser! another company and entered the service. 

December 21, 1801, there were twenty-one companies of infantry from Linc/ln CJounty 
in the service. However, this number included tho.se raised in Moore County, which was 
then a part of Lincoln. The company of J. L. Moore, was probably the last full company 
of infantry to leave the county as a company. Kecriiifs were added to the old commands 
throughout 1802-fJ4. About September, 1862, P'reernan's Battery, which was a part of 
Hardin's Artillery, received about fifty members from Lincoln County, only one of whom 
was killed in the service. A great many of Forrest's escort were from this c(»unty, probably 
th(; majority of the members. Ca];t. Nathan Boone was captain of the escort. Othr:r cavalry 
regiments rer;eived rncmi>ers from the county. Wheeler's First Tennessee Cavalry was 
composed of some Jjincoln County boys, as was the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry and alsr> 
the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry. 

Including all men in the service from first to last, Linf:oln County furnished nearly ri,(KJO 
soldiers. Besides the regular companies of infantry there were several who entered war 
in companies from adjoining f;ounties. This was also the case with artillery men and 
cavalry men. At all times recruits were entering the old crjmrnands. 

At the organization of Capt. Higgins' company of the Eighth Tennessee, the ladies of 
Xorris Creek and vicinity presented the boys with a beautiful large flag, the presentation 
being made by Miss Sallie Landess in an eloquent and stirring address. On the 2rith of 
August, 1861, a magnificent flag was presented to the Eighth Regiment by the ladies of 
I>incoln County, accompanied by an inspiring address from the Hon. John M. IJright, On 
the flag were written in large gold letters the words, "Patience, Courage, Victory. " 
Many times did the ladies send stores of provision.s, containing delicacies for the sick, 
clothing and all kinds of hospital and camp supplies. Much of the inspiration that en- 
abled the troops to remain in the field with sickness, danger and deprivations, earne from 
the encouragement received from the ladies at home. 

The Federals first entered P'ayetteville April 9, 1862, causing a sudden suspension of 
biisines-i. They withdrew after about two months' stay, and again occupied the town in 
the spring of 186'}, remaining until 1805. The court house was used as a stable for the 
horses a part of the time, and for the protection of troops at other times. It was sur- 
rounded by a bomb proof wall about six feet high, built of brick. The whole county was 
almost impoverisherl by the foraging armies passing to and fro. Sherman's whole army, 
on its march from Memphis to Chattanooga, passed through Fayetteville and crossed Elk 
River on the stone bridge, which, affording an excellent ijassage over the river, caused 
many of the passing armies, both Federals and Confederates, to pass through here. While 
Fayetteville was occur)ied f y the Federals, business was at a standstill and many depreda- 
tions were committed. When requested to do anything the citizens did not wait for time 
to argue points. The depredations, however, were mostly committed by Brixie's band of 
robbers, who in the main, claimed to be Yankees. Among the most dastardly acts, which 
the people suffered, was the murder of Judge J. R. Chilcoat. Afterward John Massey, a 
Confederate soldier, who had returned home ('together with two other men named Pickett 
and Burrow), was brutally murdered — riddled with bullets. Some buildings were burned, 
county records were destroyed and, of course, property was confiscated. Guerrillas did 
no I, injure the people to any great extent. 



778 HISTORY OP TENNESSEE. 

The war over, the soldiers laid down their arms to return to their avocations of life. 
They found their farms in a deplorable condition. Their stock was gone, fences burned, 
buildings going to rack or entirely destroyed. The cost of the war to Lincoln County can 
hardly be estimated. However, she has now almost recovered from the effects; the hard 
times and desperate conflicts are remembered as in the past, and all unite in one grand 
army for the upbuilding of the general welfare of the country. 

There was a difference of opinion as to the expediency of the location of the county 
seat where it was located. One-hundred acres of land was obtained of Ezekiel Norris. 
and a town of 128 lots was platted. On September 5 and 6, a sale of lots was made, the fallow- 
ing, among others, being purchasers: Potter & Wilson, 11; Eleanor Buchanan, 1; John Bu- 
chanan, 2; Charles Porter, 2; Francis Ross, 1; Robert Ramsey, 1; Joseph Sumner, 2; John 
Kelly, 2; "William Whitaker, 2; Hugh Blake, 2; Joseph Commons, 2; Walter Kinnard, 2; 
Rice M. Garner, 8; Peter Looney, 1; Joseph Jenkens, 2; Joseph McMillan, 1; James 
Bright, 2; John Angel, 1; James Cochran, 1; Stephen Chinnault, 1; Jacob Van Zand, 1. 
The records in the register's office are not all preserved, hence, the names of all the first 
purchasers can not be obtained. 

Among the earliest merchants were Francis Porterfleld, Robert Buchanan, Robert H. 
McEwen, and Robert H. Dickson, all of whom were successful. Mr. Dickson also ran a 
tan-yard and saddlery. Ephraim Parham was the first man to obtain tavern license; 
John P. McConnell and Vance Greer also kept taverns in Fayetteville very early. Be- 
tween 1820 and 1830 existed the following firms: General merchants— Buchanan & Porter- 
field, R. & W. Dickson, Mason & McEwen, Alex R. Kerr & Co., A. A. Kincannon, Akin, 
Bagley & Co., McEwen & Gilleland, Daniel Dwyer, H. S. Morgan, William F. Mason & 
Co., Thompson & Wardaw, John Thompson, Dickson & Wallace, J. H. Wallace, William 
Akin & Co. Grocers— Parks & Moyers, and J. G. Selph & Co. Physicians— J. B. San- 
ders, G. & R. Martin, William Bonner, A. C. Gillespie, Charles & J. V. McKinuey, J. J. 
Todd, C. J. Smith and R. Stone. Besides these, James Crawford had a saw-mill, grist- 
mill and distillery; S. A. Pugh ran a saddlery and Barclay & Ross a furniture store; E. 
M. Ringo was a watch-maker, Jacob Moyers a coppersmith, I. H. Wallace a shoe-maker, 
Weigart & Bryant and H. Worsham, tailors. C. Wilson had a bookbindery. An inn was 
kept by W. H. Talbot. Wool cards were rim by Frost & Co., and by Johnson & Garner. 

In December, 1823, Robert Dickson, Esq., was elected mayor. Vance Greer, R. H. Mc- 
Ewen, Chas. McKinney, Elliott Hickman, Joseph Commons and J. P. McConnell were 
elected aldermen; Wm. F. Mason, recorder; Vance Greer, treasurer, and Wm. Timmins, 
constable. In the "thirties," the most prominent general merchants were Wm. Dye & Son. 
Napoleon Garner, Gilliland & Roseborough, Gilliland, Smith & Co., Martin & Murphy, 
and A. C. McEwen & Co. The physicians were J. B. & Chas. McKinney, Wm. & M. C. 
Bonner, and Elliott Hickman. In the "forties" general merchandising was carried on ))y 
H. & B. Douglas, A. T. Nicks, John Goodrich, Jno. A. McPhail, S. Hart & Co., R. H. C. 
Bagley, Fulghum & Short, J. S. & J. T. Webb, Morgan & Neil, A. B. Shull, H. C. Hol- 
man & Bro!, W. W. Petty, Southworth & Co., D. M. Tucker, T. C. Goodrich, W. H. 
Webb, Webb & Thompson, George F. Smith, B. L. Russell, Southworth, Morgan & Neil, 
and Scott & Gray. Rane McKinney and Deimer & Hampton were druggists. Webb & 
Smith had a bookstore. 

In the "fifties, " Wright & Trantham, T. C. Goodrich, Wright & Ransom, Thomson 
«fe Buchanan, Goodrich, Buchanan & Beavers, W. D. &S. M. Ewing and Russell & Tucker 
were general merchants. Fletcher & Stogner were produce dealers. Groceries were kept 
by all the general merchants. Scott & Gray were merchant tailors and furnishers. The 
first carriage manufactory ever established was by Raboteau, Hobbs, & Walker. C. S. 
Wilson kept a livery stable and Chilcoat & Edmonson a tavern. Diemer & Hampton 
were druggists. 

In the "sixties" after the halt caused by the war had given place to business, general 
merchandising was carried on by Wright & Trantham. Newman & McLaughlin, J. C. & 
J. F. Goodrich, Murray & Morgan, P. T. Murray, Morgan Bros., and F. W. Brown & 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 779 

Co. Druggists were Diemer & Miles and Smitli & Blaiie. Grocers were Foster & Co., 
and Woods & Woodard. Moyers & Wilson were dealers in furniture. In the "seventies" 
business assumed wider proportions. Morgan Bros., P. T. Murray, Wright «fe Wright, 
J. C. Goodrich, T. J. Gray & Co., Smith & Miles, J. E. Caldwell, Nassauer & Hipsh, 
Hart & Fisher and F. W. Brown did a general mercantile trade. B. J. Chafin & Co., 
Bagley Bros., Bryson & Lauderdale, J. W. Barnett & Co., J. C. Goodrich, R. L. Gains & 
Co., W. H. Webb and W. R. Smith dealt in groceries. J. B. Hill, who had been in busi- 
ness for many years, and S. Heymann were jewelers. E. C. McLaughlin, J. S. Alexander 
and C. S. Wilson ran liveries. S. W. Brown & Co., Blake & McPhail and R. H. Ogilvie 
were hardware merchants. Douthet Bros, and Gray, Hatcher & Waddle were dealers in 
boots and shoes. J. T. Medearis ran a tan-yard. 

The present business is as follows: General merchants— Wright & Wright, Nassauer 
& Hipsh, Kilpatrick & Co., Morgan Bros,, J. A. Murray & Co., J. A. Lumpkin, J. W. 
Naylor & Sons, Whitaker «& DeFord and T. C. Goodrich «fe Co. Groceries— J. C. Good- 
rich, Lauderdale & Rowell B. J. Chafin, Bagley Bros., E. E. Feeney, Stonebraker & Co., 
Bryson & Francis, J. L. McWhirter, W. K. Woodard, Blake & Rawls, Z. P. Gotcher, 
J. A. Bunn & Son, H. Nevill and J. W. Bennett. Hardware— Lamb & Robertson and 
Benedict & Warren. Drugs— W. A. Gill & Co., Smith & Miles, W. W. Christian and 
C. A. Diemer & Son. Jewelers— J. B. Hill, S. Heymann and A. D. Ruth. Bookstore— 
R. S. Bradshaw. Saloons— W. W. Alexander & Co., Eaton & Evans, Alexander & Cope- 
land, B. J. Chafin and J. L. McWhirter. Livery stables— C. S. & R. M. Wilson and J. S. 
Alexander. Physicians— W. C. Bright, C. A. Diemer, C. B. McGuire, R. E. Christian 
and W. W. Christian. Grain merchants — Holman & Woods and Bruce & Cowen. Gen- 
eral produce — C. Bonds and Caldwell & Scott. Furniture and undertaking — ,J. B. Wilson 
and J. A. Formwalt. The leading hotel is the Pettj- House. Others are kept by San- 
ford Prosser, S. G. McElroy, Mrs. A. Johnson, and T. S. King has a restaurant. Bearden 
& Thomas have a flouriug-mill, J. L. Waggoner a planing-mill, and L. Peach runs a 
stone, saw and marble works. J. L. Vaughn manufactures carriages and buggies. 
• The first newspaper in Fayettville was the Fayetteville Correspondent, edited and 
published by David Augustine Hays; only a few numbers were issued. The Village Mes- 
senger was then published from March 11, 1823 to July 18, 1828, by Ebenezer Hill. In 
1839 the Western Gabinet was commenced by Ebenezer Hill and John H. Laird. Mr. Hill 
published one volume of Haywood's reports in his office. He published Hill's Almanac 
for a great many years, making.it a part of the standard literature of southern Tennessee 
and northern Alabama. As early ^s 1833 the Independent Yeoman was published hj Joe 
B. Hill, af terAij'ard by Joe B. & E. Hill. Then it was purchased by W. L. & A. H. Berry, and 
published as the Lincoln Journal, from 1840 to 1848, at which time C A^ French, became 
the editor and publisher, continuing it until the war. In 1840 a Whig paper, the Signal, 
was started and issued but a few numbers. After the war the Lincoln County News was 
started by Ebenezer Hill, Jr., and continued by W. P. Tolley for some years. The Fa- 
yetteville Express was established in 1873 by S. H. McCord, was afterward published by 
McCord & Lloyd, and is now by Lloyd & Blake. The Fayetteville Observer was estab- 
lished in 1850, stood the "war stroke," and continues to be a thriving paper, edited and 
published by N. (). Wallace. 

The Lincoln Savings Bank was established in 1870 with a capital of |100,000, did a 
seemingly good business, but suspended in 1884, "jarring" the financial status of the 
whole county considerably. The First National Bank was organized in June, 1873, with 
a capital stock of $60,000. Its first president was Hon. George W. Jones. Its present 
president is Dr. C. B. McGuire; its cashier, J. R. Feeney. 

As early as the year 1824 a Masonic Lodge was established but existed only a few 
years. Jackson Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M., was chartered October 9, 1828, and now has a 
membership of over 40. Calhoun Lodge, No. 26, I. O. O. F., was chartered April 6. 1846, 
and now has nearly 30 members. ;; Fayetteville Lodge, No. 181, K. of H., was established 
April 1, 1875, and has a membership at present of nearly 65. Protection Lodge, No. 8, A. 



780 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

O. U. W., began its existence from charter dated May 3, 1877. Jewel Lodge, No. 59, K. & 
L. of H. was established April 1, 1879, and has about 60 members. There are five church 
edifices in the town, owned respectively by the Cumberland Presbj'terians, Presbyte- 
rians, Methodist Episcopal Church South, Christians and the Protestant Episcopalians. 
The Missionary Baptists have an organization but no building. There are four churches 
for the colored people of the following denominations: African Methodist Episcopal, Prim- 
itive Baptist, Missionary Baptist and the Cumberland Presbyterian. 

About 1815 George L. Leonard settled where Petersburg now is and cleared up the 
land there. He put up a cotton-gin, and afterward began the first mercantile trade of 
the place by selling small articles of merchandise, such as thread, etc. Porterfield & 
Akin established a small store in 1828, and Wm. DeWoody conducted their business. In 
1833 they were superseded by Rowlett & Hill, and soon others followed. Holman & 
Loyd, Jones & Yowell, Rives «fe Hayes and Stone & Reese were merchants before 1840, 
and all did a large business. Then came a lull in the business tide of Petersburg until 
the war; however, Metcalfe & Son did a good business during this time, as also did 
Wynus, Blake & Co., Smith, Blake & Co. and Fonville & Bledsoe. Since the war the 
principal merchants have been W. J. Hamilton, P. B. Marsh & Son, Fogleman & Cum- 
mings and Hall & Hamilton, together with the present business firms. General mer- 
chants — 6. A. Jarvis, Cummings & Bledsoe and B. S. Popflanus grocers — E.^M. Crawford 
and L. L. Rebman; W. R. Hanaway, undertaker and furniture dealer; Rives & Chris- 
topher, saddlers and harness-makers; saloons — J. W. King & Co., F. D. Cumm'ngs & Co. 
and Pack & Byrd; blacksmiths — Alex Lancaster and George Morrison. J. C. Montgom- 
ery has a large frame flouring-mill, and Dwiggins & Co. are erecting a fine brick mill. 
Gillespie Bros, do a livery business. 

The secret societies are Unity Lodge, No. 84 I. O. O. F., which has a membership of 
twenty; Petersburg Lodge, No. 123, was organized in 1846, and for many years was very 
strong, but now has only a weak organization; Petersburg Lodge, No. 607, K. of H., has 
a membership of thirteen, and was organized in 1877. Petersburg has a good school, and 
five churches of the following denominations: Methodist Episcopal South, Presbyterian, 
Cumberland Presbyterian, Missionary Baptist and Christian. It is a chartered town, but 
by some the charter is considered a burden. It is situated on the Duck River Valley Rail- 
road, twelve miles from Fayetteville. 

Mulberry began to exist as a village about 1840. Among the merchants that have 
transacted business there were Booker Shapard, Drury Conley, Abner Brady, R. N. Whit- 
aker, W. W. James & Co., Hoots & Logan and J. & W. H. Reese, previous to the war. 
Since the resumption of business after the war have been W. W. James & Co., W. L. 
Shofuer, R. A. & J. H. Ree.se, Whitaker & Yates, E. 8. Terry and J. G. Reese, the last 
two of whom are now in business. Several family groceries, etc., have existed from time 
to time. The Mulberry Academy began about 1830, and has become a noted school. 
There was once a male and female academy, but it is now known as the Mulberry Male 
and Female Academy. There is one Missionary Baptist Church, one Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church, one Methodist Episcopal Church South and one Christian Church. 
Physicians are G. W. Jones, A. R. Shadden and S. Dance. Mulberry Lodge, No. 404, F. 
& A. M., was organized in 1870, and is in a prosperous condition. It had twelve charter 
members. Mulberrj^ Lodge, No. 148, was chartered in 1871 and has only a verj^ weak or- 
ganization. The Good Templars have a lodge of about ninety members. There are two 
good mills near by. In the village are two blacksmith shops, two wood-work shops and 
a cabinet-maker and undertaker. 

Boonshill was one of the first postoffices established in the county. Previous to the 
war Wood & McDaniel, Hudson & Horton and Sumner & Ewing were merchants there. 
Since the war have been Buchanan & White, E. S. Wilson & Co., Swinebroad & Co., 
Templeton & Son and H. D. Smith, the present merchants. Physicians have been Dr. 
John Wood, Dr. Dunlap, Dr. Porter, Dr. Parks and Dr. Sumner. Stephen Hightown 
first settled where Millville now is. Stone & Baird were the first merchants; others were 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 781 

Frank McLaurine, G. L. McLane, Sam Isaacs, Thomas McLam-ine, McGuin & Son, Mc- 
Guire & Franklin, Ezell & Hudspeth. Since the war have been Ezell & McGuire, F. L. 
Ezell, Ally Smith and Finney & Son. Dr. C. B. McGuire practiced medicine there from 
1847 to 1859; others have been Dr. M. P. Forehand and Dr. G. W. McGuire. 

Dellrose viras first known as " Roosterville." " Hog" Bruce was the founder and first 
merchant. It has only been a village since 1867. D. C. Sherrill & Co. are now doing busi- 
ness there. There is a good school. Dr. B. S. Stone is the physician of the place. Molino 
postoffice was established in 1849, by D. C. Hall, the first postmaster and merchant. Since 
the war, merchants have been Robert Stewart, James W. Rawls, Joe Montgomery and J. 
H. Dale & Co. J. W. Rawls was a blacksmith, and John Hays the present one. It has 
a Missionary Baptist Church there, and is located in a good locality. Howell is a small 
station on the narrow-gauge railroad, seven miles from Fayetteville. It was first known 
as Renfroe Station. Harris Bros, and George Bros, are merchants. It has a good railroad 
depot and a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Oak Hill is a village nine miles north of 
Fayetteville. The postoflBee is Norris Creek. H. L. Cole and James Bell are merchants. 
It has a good school, a Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a Missionary Baptist Church. 
There is also a Masonic lodge of thirty-eight members— Mount Hebron, No. M4, and a 
weak lodge of I. O. O. F.— Oak Hill, No. 39. A pike connects Oak Hill with Fayetteville. 
Stonesborough is a chartered town and consists of a distillery owned by Stone & Thomas, 
and a store and saloon owned by Stone & Patterson. W. J. Landers has a tan-yard be- 
tween this place and Oak Hill. Chestnut Ridge is also in the north part of the county. J. 
N. Stallings is a merchant. James Freeman a blacksmith, and Wash. Gilbert a wagon- 
maker. Chestnut Ridge Lodge, No, 499, F. & A. M., has about fifteen members, and 
Chestnut Ridge Lodge, No. 157, I. O. O. F., has nearly fifty members. There is a church 
near by. 

Booneville, received its name from Capt. Nathan Boone. Musgraves and Shofner, and 
J. E. Reese are merchants. It is about three miles from Mulberry Village. Blanche was 
first known by postoffice as Pleasant Plains. Samuel Parker was the first postmaster, and 
W. W. Petty the first merchant in 1849. It began to assume the proportions of a village 
after the war, and is now a pleasant and thriving little town. Dr. J. C. Coats is the mer- 
chant and physician. There is located here Pleasant Plains Lodge, No. 305, F. & A. M., 
and a church. There are several county stores near by. 

Smithland was known as George's Store until 1884. At first the postoffice was on the 
north side of Elk River, having been established about 1840. It was moved to " Arnold's 
grocery " about 1850, and there Smithland has been built. This was a notorious fighting 
place. Taylor & McLaughlin and R. Smith are the present merchants. An I. O. O. F. 
Lodge, Sereno No. 195, is located at Smithland. 

Camargo was established in 1849 and was a flourishing village prior to the war. John 
Caughran was the first merchant. Others have been Nicks & Webb, J. N. & W. A. Stal- 
lings, Wm. Ashworth, Samuel Dehaven and J. A. Corn. 

Lincoln is settled mainly by northern people who went to that place after the war. 
J. F. Montgomery, J. R. McCown, J. E. Ramsey and J. C. McClellan have been merchants 

there. In 1837 Crosby started a small spinning factory At* Oregon. In 1839 it was 

bought by Henry Warren, was afterward operated by H. & T. K. Warren, and is now 
operated by Henry Warren & Son. This factory has about 1,000 spindles, a cotton-gin 
and a flouring and grist-mill attached, being an investment of about $20,000 capital. 
Oregon is three and one-half miles from Flintville, its shipping point. It has a Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. 

Elora was formerly known as Baxter Station, and only dates its beginning since the 
building of the Fayetteville & Decherd Branch Railroad. It is in the southeast corner of 
the county, and is the proposed junction of the Winchester & Alabama Railroad with the 
one now existing from Fayetteville to Decherd. J. B. Hamilton and W. M. Parker & Co. 
are the merchants. 

Flintville, twelve miles from Fayetteville, on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, 

49 



782 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

has sprung into existence since the building of that road. The first merchants were Cun- 
ningham & Myrick; J. A. Grills was the first blacksmith; Peter Cunningham put up a 
grist-mill, and then he and L. P. Myrick engaged in distilling. The town was all 
destroyed b}' the Federals the time of the war. Since the war merchandising has been 
carried on by D. M. & J. C Mimms, Mimms & Knowles, D. M. Mimms, Kilpatrick & Co.. 
Merrit & Golden (saloon), Chas. Kelley, D. M. & W. G. Mimms, Richard Routt, A. Smith, 
Peter Cunningham, Brady & Hall, Henry Warren & Son, and Chick & Eslick. J. W. 
Cooper & J. J. Coston have been blacksmiths and wagon-makers, and Joseph Richardson, 
a saddler; E. J. Cambron is a carriage and cabinet-maker; Tolley, Eaton and Sims have 
run distilleries, and Copeland & Co. now have a large distillery. They also have a good 
mill. John Young also has a mill. Surprise Lodge, No. 153, I. O. O. F., is located there 
with sixteen members. There are four church organizations at Flintville. 

Kelso's first merchant was A. S. Fulton. Sub.sequent merchants have been Hill South- 
worth, D. M. Eslick and Jenkens McKinney. Present merchants are J. A. Taylor, G. D. 
Wicks and M. S. Eslick. Kelso Lodge, No. 490, F. & A. M., and Kelso Lodge, No. 172, 
I. O. O. F., are located there, and also a Cumberland Presbyterian Church is at Kelso. 

The attention of the early pioneers was required by almost everything else before it 
was given to means of educating the children. This most important subject was not long 
entirely neglected, for those who had sufficient education taught short terms of school at 
the different private residences early in the "teens."' After a time, by agreement, the 
settlers would meet to build a schoolhouse in the different localities. These buildings 
were of logs, with a door in one end and a fire-place in the other. However, not all of 
them had fire-places, and those that had them generally allowed the escape of the smoke 
through a large hole in the roof, there being no chimneys to them. This was the condi- 
tion of the schoolhouses even through the twenties. The seats were made of poles split 
open, supported on legs about three feet long, and with the flat side up. Light was ad- 
mitted through an aperture made by "leaving out" one log along the sides of the build- 
ing. A bench or plank for writing was supported on pins driven in the log just beneath 
the window. The roofs of these primitive institutions of learning were of boards held 
to their place by "weight poles." Each pupil took whatever book he could find. Some 
studied the "Life of Washington," others the "Life of Marion," and a few would take a 
Clarion (the paper then published at Nashville) to school, and learn from tliat. These 
were pay-schools, the tuition being from 75 cents to f 1 per pupil for one mouth. Various 
were the "rules" and requirements of these schools. Each teacher had new rules. An 
invariable custom was to make the teacher "treat or take a duckin' " on Christmas and at 
the close of school. If a mischievous boy passing the schoolhouse desired to be chased at 
a lively rate it was only necessary for him to yell out "school butter," when the teacher 
would say to his pupils: "Take him in, boys." Reading and writing were the main 
branches taught, and arithmetic was sometimes taught. Pupils recited one at a time. 
They were by most teachers allowed to seek the the out-door, pure atmosphere in fair 
weather to prepare their lessons. Prior to 1820 (probably as early as 1815; the Fayette 
Academy was established. This was a county academy, and derived its support from a 
State fund. The building became untenable about 1854, and the new building just then 
erected bj'' the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was to be used by Milton College, which 
did not materialize, was purchased, and Fayette Academy continued for some years, and 
then sold the building to the county school commissioners. _ 

The Fayetteville Female Collegiate Institute began its existence almost as early as 
the Fayetteville Academy. The land was donated by James Bright. This in- 
stitution is under the control of a company and board of trustees. The building first 
used was torn down in 1884 to give place to the present splendid brick building. The 
enrollment for the past year was about 220 pupils. Although it, by name, is known as a 
female school, both sexes are admitted. 

The Mulberry Female Academy was established in 1830 and existed as such until 
1869, when it was consolidated with the Mulberry Male Academy, and since the institution 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 783 

thus formed, has prospered under the name of the Mulberry Male and Female Academy. 
The Mulberry Male Academy was formed and put in working order in 1844. 

Viney Grove Academy was founded by the Rev. Henry Bryson and conducted with 
great success by him for many years. This once ranked with the standard educational 
institutions of the South, but it has died away. It was five miles west of Fayette. 
ville. Boonshill Academy has existed since before the war. The building is a nice brick 
house, and good schools are taught there. 

The Petersburg Masonic Academy was founded by that fraternity in 1858 and is taught 
in the lowest story of the brick Masonic Hall at Petersburg. Oak Hill Institute flour- 
ished from 1865 to 1880 with considerable success. The building is frame. Nixon Springs 
Academy, near Smithland, was a good institution from 1875 to 1880. Hopewell Academy 
at Lincoln was endowed by the United Presbyterian Church and is a well-conducted 
school. Greenwood Academy, between Mullberry and Booneville, was established in the 
fifties, and has a brick building. Cane Creek Academy, at Howell, also has a brick build- 
ing and is comparatively a new institution. 

The public schools of Lincoln County are gaining in favor, but are yet in their infancy. 
There are eighty-two public schools in the county for white, and thirty-one for colored 
people. There are but eighty-four public school buildings, but school is taught in other 
buildings. The buildings are as follows: Stone and brick, 3; frame, 47; log, 34; total, 84. 
Value of school buildings is estimated at $23,460, and the value of apparatus, etc., at 
$1,570. The scholastic population of the county for this year is 9,912, and the amount of 
school fund, at $1.75, per capita, is $17,346. 

As in all new countries, the first settlers of this section were more accustomed to the 
sound of the hunting horn and chasing hound than to pulpit oratory on the Sabbath. 
However, many good Christian people were among the first pioneers, and they established 
Scripture readings, and even preached sermons at the different private residences. 
Early services were held in the court house, and not uufrequently did people assemble at 
some designated place in the woods to hear a sermon. 

In 1811 the earthquake shock which was so sensibly felt here was by many regarded 
as the approach of the Last Great Day, and consequently many accessions to the Chris 
tian flock were made. For a considerable time "big meetings" were held, and a great 
revival was experienced, but after a time the lull in the tide came, the "spirit of the meet- 
ings died down." Yet there was a good work being done by some of the good Christian 
people. As early as 1808 a church was organized at the Forks of Mulberry, and it pros- 
pered greatly, and even at the present time is in a flourishing condition. This is a Primi- 
tive Baptist organization. Hardy Holman was the first pastor. In about 1812 the Shiloh 
congregation was organized by the same denomination. Other churches of this (the 
Primitive or old-school Baptist) denomination, are Concord, which was organized prior 
to 1820; Mount Olivet, probably organized in the twenties; New Hope, a small congre- 
gation, but an old one; Kelly Creek, which began existence in the forties. Pleasant 
Grove; Rocky Point; Bethel; and Buckey, which was organized as late as 1866 with a mem- 
bership of nineteen and now has 165 members. Nearly all of these churches are in a good 
condition and prospering. 

In the fall of 1812 the Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville was organized with the 
Rev. John Gillespie as pastor. The first elders were David Turner, Andrew Hannah, 
Francis Patton, John Armstrong and Ebeuezer McEwen. Private members were Peggy 
Hannah, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Patton, Mrs. Turner. Peggie Gillespie, Mary McEwen, 
Elizabeth Ferguson, John B. Alexander and Barbara Alexander. Subsequent pastors of 
this church have been John R. Bain. James McLinn, Amzi Bradshaw, E. McMillan, M. M. 
Marshall, W. C. Dunlap, D. D., James Watson, A. N. Cunningham, D. D., George Hall, 
A. D. McClure, J. H. Bryson, W. H. Groves and R. M. DuBose. The present member- 
ship is 105. First worship was in the court house; afterward an edifice was built, which 
was destroyed by a storm in 1851, and then the present one was erected. Other PiesV'y- 
terian Churches of the county are: Unity, eight miles from Fayetteville, organized about 
1820, and now having a membership of about forty; Petersburg, organized May 5, I860, 



784 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and now having about forty members; Swan Creek, organized as early as 1830, now hav- 
ing a membership of tiftj'; and Young's Chapel, with a membership of twent5^-five, and 
having existed only since 1870. One other church, by the name of Old Unity, once existed, 
but is now extinct. 

Bethel Church of the A.ssociate Reformed Presbyterian denomination was organized 
in 1830, by the Rev. H. Bryson, who continued as its pastor until his death in 1874, and 
was superseded by Rev. A. S. Sloan, the present pastor. There are three other churches 
in the county of that denomination known as the New Hope, Prosperity and Pleasant 
Plains. 

Early in 1839 a camp-meeting was held near Fayetteville by distant workers in the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Great success blessed this meeting and an organiza- 
tion of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville was accomplished the same 
year. Rev. S. M. Cowan was the first pastor, continuing many years, and under him the 
church multiplied in numbers and strengthened in good work. Subsequent ministers 
have been Herschel S. Porter, W. D. Chaddick, D. D., Stokely Chaddick, S. M. Cowen, 

again M. B. DeWitt, McElree, Nat Powers, C. P. Duvall, McDonald and J. S. 

Weaver. Among the first members were Benjamin Clements and wife, William Norris 
and wife, Benjamin Wear and wife, S. 0. Griffi.s and wife, George Stonebraker and wife, 
Jacob Stonebraker and wife and Dr. Charles McKinney and wife. 

Cane Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1817 by Rev. R. Don- 
nel, and now has 138 members. J. B. Tigert has been its pastor for twenty-five years, 
and in its seventy years of existence the church has never been without a pastor, although 
but five men have served as pastors. There are thirteen other Cumberland Presbyterian 
Churches in the county, viz.: Mulberry, with a membership of about 50; Mount Zion, or- 
ganized by Rev. D. Tucker about eight years ago; Hebron, an old church with about 125 
members; New Unity, with 100 members; Petersburg, with about 70 members; New 
3alem, an old church, with a membership of about 75; Pisgah, organized about 1856, and 
now having about 40 members; Liberty, organized about 1878, present membership about 
50; Sulphur Spring, with 75 members, built and supported by Henry Warren for his fac- 
tory hands; Moore's Chapel, a young congregation of about 100; Elkton, a small congrega- 
tion; Flintville, a new congregation with a small membership; and New Lebanon, about 
twelve years old and having a large membership. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fayetteville was organized prior to 1829. Rev. 
Joshua Kilpatrick was its pastor that year. Present membership is 162. The present 
church building was erected about 1846. The other Methodist Episcopal Churches South 
and their approximate memberships are as follows: Shady Grove, 100; Lloyd's Chapel, 
75; Providence, Beech Grove, Union and Boonville, 331; Petersburg, — ; Macedonia, Her- 
mon, Flintville and Liberty, 350; Medium and Moore Chapel, 263; Mulberry, 90; Shiloh, 
100; Dellrose, — ; Blanche, Smith's Chapel, Shiloh and Ebenezer, — ; and New Bethel, 
a new organization. This denomination is in a prosperous condition. 

The Christians have nine organizations. Thej' are as follows: Fayetteville, which 
was organized in 1865 and now has a membership of about 75; Gum Spring, Philadelphia, 
Friendship, Chestnut Ridge, Mulberry, Antioch, one on Lane's Branch, and one at Mc- 
Alister's chair factory. 

The Hard Shell Baptists have two small congregations — Mount Carmel and Sul- 
phur Springs. 

The Protestant Episcopal Church of Fayetteville is the only one of- that denomina- 
tion in the county. It was organized in 1882, and in 1883 was built the elegant little stone 
edifice which is used for worship. 

The first organization of the United Presbyterian Church in Tennessee was Lebanon 
Church in this county. It was organized September 15, 1865, by Rev. A. S. Montgomery. 
The church building cost about $2,000 and the present membership is 145. Other organi- 
zations of that name are Hopewell and Pisgah. 

The Missionary Baptists also have a number of congregations in the county. They 
have an organization at Fayetteville, but no church house. 



FKANKLIN COUNTY. 785 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

"TT^RANKLIN COUNTY is bounded on the north by Coffee County, northeast by 
-L Grundy, east by Marion, south by the State of Alabama, west by Lincoln, northwest 
by Moore, and contains about 500 square miles, one-fourth of which lies on the Cumber- 
land Mountain and its western escarpment. 

The topography of the county is greatly diversified, a portion of it lying on the Cum- 
berland Plateau, a portion in the valley of Elk River, a portion on the Highland Rim and 
a very small portion in the Central Basin. The rim is in the Devonian formation, the 
basin in the Silurian, the Cumberland Table-land in the carboniferous. The carboniferous 
strata are the surface rocks of the Highland Rim and the table-land. The soils of the rim 
are the siliceous or flinty, found in the basin on the inner half of the rim. and calcareous, 
found on the outer half, which is a red claj'. The soil of the basin is almost entirely cal- 
careous; that of the table-land is the sandstone soil. The limestone of the rim is the 
coral or St. Louis formation, while that of the basin is the Nashville group. The latter 
is a l)hie limestone; the former is gray, or grayish and blue. The rim is about 1,000 feet 
above the level of the sea; the table-land about 2,000; and the basin about 700. 

The mean annual temperature of table land is 54°, of the rim 57°, of the basin 58°. 
The soil of the Cumberland Table-land is thin and sterile, but well adapted, on account 
of its climatic advantages, to the raising of all kinds of fruit. Along the western base o^ 
the mountain is a wide belt of land with a dark clay surface and red clay subsoil, furnish- 
ing a fine agricultural land. Then come the valley lands of the Elk River, which flows 
through the county from northeast to southwest. West of the river lie the barrens, so-called, 
which afEord considerable pasture, but the soil is thin and not good for agriculture. In 
the western portion of the county, and running down the river, is found the black shale 
formation with its "rock houses," or alum and copperas caves, in which are often found 
native alum and copperas. There are several coves, among which Farmers' Cove, Lost 
Cove, Round Cove and Sinking Cove lie upon the table-lands, and are wholly shut in by the 
mountains, beneath which their waters find outlet. Buncombe Cove lies along the base 
of the mountain and is almost shut in by an outlier. It is watered by the head waters of 
Bean Creek. There are several other coves, among which is Roark's, one of the largest in 
the county. The most fertile lauds are found in these coves and in the valleys of the Elk 
and its tributaries. The best timber is found on the mountain slopes, and consists princi- 
pally of oak, ash, chestnut, beech, poplar, cherry and walnut. The barrens are covered 
mostly with a light growth of scrubby oak. The Elk River and its tributaries furnish the 
principal drainage of the county. Mineral springs are abundant, the most noted of which 
are Hurricane Springs, Estill Springs and Winchester Springs. The former of these 
springs is a noted summer resort, where thousands of pleasure-seekers make their annual 
visits. There are also many noted cave springs which furnish pure free-stone water. 

There is an extensive marble bed upon Elk River, commencing about five miles below 
Winchester, and extending down the river ten miles and five miles on either side. The 
marble is of excellent quality and consists of gray and red, clouded with green porphyry 
and various shades. This vast mine of wealth has only been slightly developed. Coal has 
found to exist in great quantities near University Place, and at Anderson, Keith's Spring, 
Maxwell and other points, but, as yet, it has not been mined to any considerable extent. 

Many beautiful cascades and waterfalls and caves are found upon tl'O mountains. 
Natural scenery in the county is extensive. Viewing the mountains from Winchester, 
their grandeur arises to sublimity. And standing upon the mountains and overlooking 



7.S(> HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

the frrand vallcj's of the Elk and its tributaries, with Winchester and its church spires 
vn the foreground, one is led to exclaim with the poet: 

"God hath a beinff true, 

And that ye may see 
In the fold of the flower, 
, The leaf of the tree; 

In the wave of the ocean. 

The furrow of land; 
In the mountain of granite, 

The atom of sand! 
Ye may turn j^our face 

From the sky to the sod. 
And wliere can ye gaze 

That ye see not a'GodV" 

The settlement of the territory now composing Franklin County began with the 
beginning of the present century, when all was a vast wilderness, inhabited only by 
Indians and wild animals. It was a hazardous undertaking to come here in that day and 
open up a new count ly west of the mountains where the light of civilization had never 
shone, and where neither schools, churches, mills, factories, nor any conveniences existed, 
such as the pioneers had been accustomed to. None but br.ave and courageous men and 
women could ever have accomplished such a dangerous and hazardouis undertaking. The 
early settlers came mostly from Virginia and the Carolinas, and some from Kentucky and 
Georgia. It may be truthfully said that with the exception of those who have settled 
since the war the inhabitants of the.' county are nearly all descendants from the best 
families of "Old Virginia" and the Carolinas. It is claimed that Maj. William Russell, 
who settled on the Boiling Fork, near Cowan, and Jesse Bean, who settled on Bean 
Creek, both about the year 1800, were .the first two settlers in the county. This is quite 
probable, as these two families are prominently mentioned elsewhere in the organization 
of the countj^ the first court being held at Maj. Russell's house, and Mr. Bean being one 
of the commissioners to locate the county seat. Bean Creek took its name from the 
Beans who settled thereon. 

Samuel Miller and his wife, nee Elizabeth Montgomery, were both born in this coun- 
ty, the former in 1801 or 1803, and the latter, who is still living, in 1^. The parents of 
tliese persons were, of course, among the very early settlers. The families of Larkin and 
Hunt, settled on Bean Creek, about 1806. The Beans who had previou.sly settled there, 
established, in 1813, a gunsmith shop and powder mills in two caves on Little Bean 
Creek, the remains of which can still be seen. David Larkin, hearing of the massacre of 
two children by the Indians, one night in 1813, mounted his horse and rode to the place: 
Finding no one about the house, he endeavored to arouse some one by calling, but the lady 
of the house, thinking him one of the Indians, would not come from her place of conceal- 
ment. The next morning the bodies of the children were found and buried. James 
Russey, grandfather of James Russej', proprietor of the Ballard House, in Winchester, 
and William M. Cowan, Christoplier Bullard, James Cunningham, George Taylor, Samuel 
Norwood, James Dougan, John Bell, John Cowan, George Davidson, John A. S. Ander- 
son, William P. Anderson and James B. Drake, were all prominent early settlers, who 
came to the county about 1800 or soon thereafter. 

The following were early settlers with date of settlement accompanying their names: 
Edward Finch, 1808, from South Carolina, settled on what is known as the Anna Finch 
farm, near Winchester. He brought with him Lewis Finch (colored), who was then four 
years old, and is now living. William Lucas, 1808; George Grey, on Crow Creek, 1809; 
Alexander Faris, Robert and Isaac T. Hines, 1813; Joseph Miller, from Georgia, 1815: 
John B. Hawkins and Isaac VanZant, 1817. The latter settled on the farm where his son 
Isaac now resides. Matthew R. Mann, 1819, afterward engaged in cotton spinning; Thom- 
as Gore. Sr., 1833; William L. Sargent, 1839; Col. Davie Crockett was also one of the 
early settlers of the county, who came soon after the war of 1813. and settled in a "face 
camp," on Rattlesnake Spring Creek, near Salem. Here he married the Widow Patton. 



FKANKLIN COUNTY. , 787 

It is said that he attracted much attention at the early camp-meetings, as all were anxious 
to see him. He remained in the county only a few years. George Grey settled on Crow 
Creek in 1809, and built a cabin and planted some corn. 

An old lady by the name of Londey, and member of Grey's family, was ill and in l)ed 
on an occasion when a party of Indians approached with evil designs. The family seeing 
the "red skins" approaching fled into the mountains, leaving Mrs. Londey in the house. 
The Indians carried all the goods out of the house, placed the invalid lady on a bed a safe 
distance from the house, then burned the latter, cut down the corn, and fled without doing 
further damage. Mr. Grey then moved upon and improved the farm now owned by Isaac 
Grey, about three miles from Winchester. John A. S. Anderson and William P. Ander- 
son, assisted by George Grey, made most of the early surveys of land, especially the Gov- 
ernment survey, whereby the lauds were surveyed into sections of 640 acres each. In 
May, 1809, while J. A. S. Anderson, assisted by George Grey and James B. Drake, was 
surveying a Government line, he discovered " a remarkable cave and a remarkable 
spring. " They had with them a dried beef tongue, which Mr. Anderson threw into the 
water, and it sank beyond all recovery. Thereupon they named the spring "Tongue 
Spring, " hence the name of Tongue Spring Creek. On May 25, 1809, they planted some 
corn and deadened some timber, and camped on Rattlesnake Point, and "bark was their 
food. " On Ma}' 30 they came upon an Indian camp, " and shouted around them and ad- 
vanced, and the Indians absconded and left their meat and one horse, " which, as Mr. 
Anderson said, the party got, "the horse to ride and the meat to eat." There were nine 
Indians in the camp. Rattlesnakes were then abundant and "monstrous," as related by 
Mr. Anderson. On one occasion, when he was obliged to undress his feet to enable him to 
walk over the slippery rocks, he stepped his heel on the head of a rattlesnake, discovering 
which he made his escape unharmed. The foregoing facts about the surveying party are 
taken from Mr. Anderson's field notes made at the time, and now in possession of Mr. 
Lsaac Grey. 

The greater portion of the best lands in Franklin County were entered by location of 
land warrants and other claims granted by North Carolina to individuals for military 
services while the territory belonged to that State. Henry'M. Rutledge was executoi; of 
the last will and testament of Gov. Edward Rutledge, of South Carolina, who in his life- 
time owned a large tract of land, mostly in this county. As executor, Mr. Rutledge sold 
this tract, consisting of 73,000 acres, to Col. Thomas Shubrick for £535 of English money. 
As an individual he then purchased the whole tract back from Col. Shubrick, and the 
deeds of these conveyances are the first that appear on the records of Franklin County. 
The Rutledge lands lie mostly in Districts 8 and 9. In May, 1808, Gen. Andrew Jackson 
and John Hutchins, assignees of John G. and Thomas Blount, received a patent from the 
State of Tennessee for 1,000 acres located on the Boiling Fork, just below Winchester. 

The following is a condensed list of a few early grants, entries and purchases; July, 
1796, State of North Carolina to Thomas Dillon, an assignee of the Blounts, 5,000 acres 
on Elk River, including Fendleton's Spring, and a large camp made by Major Ore & Co., 
on their way to Nickajack; March 5, 1805, Thomas Dillon to E. Thursby, for $4,500, 
18,000 acres on Elk River; April, 1807, Henry M. Rutledge to Wm. P. Anderson and 
John Strother a large tract on Elk River and on both sides of Logan Creek; in 1808, 
State of Tennessee to John Maclin and John Overton 4,935, acres, and to Nicholas Tramel 
640 acres, both on Elk River; and to Solomon Wagoner, Wm. Russell, Absalom Russell 
and John Cowan each 200 acres on the Boiling Fork, and to James Cunningham and 
Robert Bean each 200 acres on Bean Creek; to James Metcalf 200 acres on Metcalf 
Creek, and to Wm. Metcalf 200 acres on Elk River; in 1809, State to James Patton and 
Andrew Erwin 1,000 acres, to Andrew Jackson 640 acres, and to John Winford 640 acres, 
all on Elk River. 

We have cited the foregoing grants, which are only a few among the many, to show 
how a few individuals originally came into possession of so much of the best land of the 
county. In 1824 the State of Tennessee began to sell the remaining lands at 12^ cents 



788 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

• 

per acre, and purchasers were allowed to select and enter these lands in quantities to suit 
themselves. The tirst of these entries was made by Thomas Newland, April 5, 1824, for 
thirty acres, the whole tract costing only $3.75. During the years 1824 and 1825 there 
were 508 entries made in the county for tracts mostly under 100 acres each. Entry 508 
was the last one made at that price. The entries have never been permanently closed for 
the mountain lands, but are still being made. It is believed that all of the lands have 
been entered once . In many instances the original purchasers have abandoned or ne- 
glected their lands, and in this way some tracts have been entered the second and perhaps 
the third time. The last entry. No. 3,868, was made May 22, 1886, by Peter H. Plumer 
for 150 acres. 

The first grist-mill in the southern part of Franklin County, was built by George 
Stovall about the 3'ear 1810, and as early as 1815 Districts Nos. 2 and 3 had over a dozen 
cotton-gins. This county at that early day was one of the leading cotton-producing 
counties of the State. The cotton was shipped out of the Elk River on flat-boats, and 
thence by way of the Tennessee 'and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, where it was 
sold for from If to 2i cents per pound. Peter Simmons, John R. Patrick and Dick Hol- 
der, early merchants of Salem, used to ship large quantities of cotton on "flats" from the 
raouth of Bean Creek to New Orleans, and then walk back through the Chickasaw and 
Choctaw Indian nations. In 1828 a Mr. Heiston, from Ohio, established a tan-yard on 
Bean Creek. He sold it to Mr. Smith, and he to Mr. Lipscomb. This was the first tan- 
yard in that part of the county. 

Among the early cotton-gins were those erected in the upper end of the county by 
Sims Kelly, John Oliver, Wm. Faris, Wm. O'Rear, Geo. McCutcheon and James Sharp, 
and one in the, Cowan neighborhood by John Holder, and one at "Wm. Bledsoe's place, 
by Wm. Streetj and one were Isaac Grey now lives, by George Greyi Isaac Gillespie had 
a cotton-gin, tan-yard and grist-mill in Owl Hollow. At the same time gins were owned 
and operated in the lower part of the county by James F. Green, James Woods, Mr. Trigg 
and others. The owners of the cotton-gins would receive all cotton brought to them and 
give the farmers receipts for the amounts. The latter would then sell the receipts to the 
merchants for goods. About the year 1836 Franklin County raised 4,500 bales of cotton all 
of which was shipped on " flats" to New Orleans. During the early settlement of the county 
the merchants went on horseback to Baltimore to buy their goods, which were then brought 
in wagons from that city to their destination, being about 700 miles. Enough goods were 
purchased at one time to last a year; and goods were hauled on the same route through 
this county from Baltimore to Nashville. It is claimed that as high as 300 wagons loaded 
with goods en route to Nashville and other points encamped at one time on the side of the 
road near Caldwell's Bridge. This method of obtaining goods continued until near the 
year 1840, when transportation was opened up by way of the Ohio and Cumberland 
Rivers to Nashville, after which time and until railroads were constructed, the merchants 
of Franklin County bought their goods in Nashville, and had them brought from thence 
in wagons to their places of business. The shipment of cotton on flats to New Orleans 
was discontinued about the same time. The Winchester Sulphur Springs were then a 
fashionable summer resort, and were visited annuallj^ by the wealthy planters of the 
South. For some years before the war a Mr. Butterworth had a cotton-mill in Ovrl Hol- 
low, which was burned during the war and afterward rebuilt and again burned. Another 
cotton-mill was erected near Estill Springs, about the year 1851, and was destroyed by fire 
a few years thereafter. 

The Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad was completed through the county in 1851. It 
has stations within the county, at Estill Springs, Decherd, Cowan, Sherwood and Ander- 
son. It passes through the Cumberland Mountains in this country by deep cuts, and a 
tunnel 2,200 feet long. The Sewanee Mining Company has a railroad from Tracy City 
passing by University Place, and connecting with the Nashville & Chatanooga Railroad 
at the base of the mountain near Cowan. This road was completed in 1858. The Decherd, 
Fayetteville & Columbia Railroad was completed to Fayetteville about the same time. It 
has stations in this county at Decherd, Winchester, Belvidere, Maxwell and Huntland. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 789 

The Falls Mill Manufacturing Company are operating a cotton-mill on Bean Creek 
near Salem. Whit Ransom now owns the Town Creek Mills, which were established by 
Anson Butterworth. These mills consist of a woolen-mill, with about twelve looms, a 
carding-mill and a large grist and flouring-mill, all run with water-power. They are 
located about five miles west of Winchester. R. C. Handley, Ben. A. Oehmig, A. J. Kin- 
ningham and Estill Bros, each own and operate grist and flouring-mills on Boiling Fork. 
Corn & Miller have a grist and flouring-mill on Elk River. There is also a grist and flouring- 
mill in Sinking Cove. Grist-mills and saw-mills are found on almost every stream. There 
are also a number of steam saw-mills and other manufacturing establishments throughout 
the county outside of the village. An agricultural and mechanical society existed for a 
few years before.the war. And along in the "seventies" the Grange movements struck the 
county. A number of Granges were organized, and some stores were attempted to be run 
on the Grange plan, but all this has passed away. 

When the county was new malarial fevers prevailed to some extent. In 1843 and 1844 
typhoid fever made its first appearance in the county. At first it nonplussed the physi- 
cians, but they soon learned to treat it successfully. The first cases of cerebro-spinal men- 
ingitis made their appearance in the winters of 1848 and 1849. The temperature of the 
climate is mild and pleasant, and never goes to the extremes of heat and cold. The people 
of the county are remarkably healthy. No cases of cholera or yellow fever have ever been 
known in the county, except one or two, which were brought here from abroad.* The 
raising of cotton has been dispensed with, and the farmers are now turning their attention 
to the cultivation of cereals, grasses and live-stock. In 1855 there were raised in Franklin 
County 135,816 bushels of wheat, 475,293 bushels of Indian corn, 71,980 bushels of oats, 
1,283 bushels of rye, and 1,110 bushels of barley. And tlie live-stock was enumerated as 
follows: 4,580 horses and mules, 7,906 cattle, 6,296 sheep, 25,379 hogs. 

The county of Franklin was created by an act of the General Assembly of the State 
of Tennessee, passed December 3, 1807. The act provided " that there be a new county 
established within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning on the southeast corner of War- 
ren County; thence with the south boundary line of Warren County to the eastern line of 
Bedford County; thence with said line to the southern boundary line of the State; thence 
east with the State line to the southwest corner of Bledsoe County; thence northwardly 
to the beginning; which said bounds shall constitute a new and distinct county, to be 
known by the name of Franklin." 

The act also provided that the courts should be. held at the home of Maj. William 
Russell, near Cowan, until otherwise provided by law; and that the general musters and 
courts-martial should be held at the same place, or place of holding courts. By a subse- 
quent act, passed November 14, 1809, creating the county of Lincoln, all the territory east 
of Lincoln, south of Bedford and north of the State line, was attached to and made a part 
of Franklin County. And by later acts of the General Assembly creating Moore, Coflfee, 
Grundy and Marion Counties, Franklin has been reduced to its present limits. Before 
the organization of Franklin County a portion of its territory lay in what was then called 
White County, and in many of the original conveyances the lands were described as 
being in White County. The early records of the county court, or court of quarter ses- 
sions, were lost or destroyed during the late civil war, and con.sequently no account of 
the first election of magistrates and county officers can now be given. It is certain, how- 
ever, that such election was held in the year 1808, and the first county court organized at 
the home of Maj. William Rus.sell, as provided by the act of creation. 

An act of the General Assembly, passed November 22, 1809, provided for the holding 
of an election "at the place of holding courts on the first Thursday and Friday of Febru- 
ary, 1810, for the purpose of electing seven fit and proper persons as commissioners to fix 
on and establish a permanent seat of justice in and for the said county of Franklin," with 
power to fix on a place for the seat of justice, and to purchase a tract of land "not less 

♦Information pertaining to health from Dr. J. C. Shapard. 



790 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

than forty acres;" to lay off the same into lots, streets and alleys, and to reserve in the 
most convenient place tvsro acres for a public square, on which to erect the public build- 
ings; to sell the lots at public sale, and make deeds of conveyance to purchasers; "to 
let out the building of the court house, prison and stocks, and to appropriate the money 
arising from the sale of lots in payment for the same." 

And the act further provided that the town so laid off should be called and known by 
the name of Winchester, and should be the place of holding courts for the county of 
Franklin, as soon as the improvements would authorize an adjournment thereto. This 
election was accordingly held, and George Taylor, Jesse Bean, Samuel Norwood, James 
Dougau, John Cowan, John Bell and George Davidson were duly elected as such com- 
missioners. In compliance with the foregoing, it is evident that the commissioners select- 
ed the site for the seat of justice, and caused the town to be surveyed and platted, but 
owing to reasons already given, neither the original plat nor the record thereof, nor the 
record of the sales of lots can now be found. 

The register's office shows that on the 10th day of February, 1812, the said commis- 
sioners purchased of Christopher Bullard, for a consideration of f 1, twenty-six acres of 
land, upon which the town was located; and that they afterward sold the town lots and 
made deeds of conveyance to the purchasers. And it is to be presumed that they per- 
formed all the duties incumbent upon them pertaining to the erection of the public build- 
ings, etc., the details of which can not be given in full on account of the loss of early 
records. The first court house and jail were erected soon after the foregoing purchase. The 
former was a small brick structure on the site of the present court house. The latter was 
erected on a lot at the west end of College Street, and in 1813, very soon after its com- 
pletion, it was consumed by fire. On the 8th of November, the General Assembly 
passed an act authorizing the drawing of a lottery for the purpose of rebuilding the public 
prison in county of Franklin, and for other purposes; and Wallis Estill, William Russell, Sr., 
,,Col. James Lewis, Christopher Bullard, James S. M. Wherter and Thomas Eastland were 
by said act appointed commissioners to superintend the lottery, and upon the receipt of the 
proceeds thereof, to proceed to rebuild the public prison in said town, erect stocks, andfin- 
ish the work of the court house therein, by the appropriation of said moneys thereto. From 
the foregoing it is evident that the first court house was finished in about 1814. It was 
.small and inconvenient, having no room sufficient for holding the sessions of the courts. 
However it was used until the year 1839, when it was torn down and the present court 
house erected in its stead. The contract for the brick work was let to Elisha Meridith, 
and that of the wood work to Reeves & Oehmig. The building cost about $10,000. It is 
a substantial brick structure of medium size, with county oflSces on the first floor, and 
the court room on the second. 

The prison was rebuilt as provided by said act, on the west end of College Street, and 
was used until 1855, when it was condemned on account of its being insecure. 

A committee, consisting of W. W. Brazelton, L. W. Qonee, John T. Slalter and 
Thomas Finch was then appointed by the county court to erect a new jail. Accordingly 
at the July term, 1855, of the county court, this committee reported that they had sold the 
old jail for $300, and that the new one had been constructed on Main Street and was then 
completed and occupied by the jailor and his prisoners. The new jail was built imder con- 
tract by John Steele, of Lincoln County. 

In Januarj-, 1881, the county purchased of Luke Kelly and wife, for a consideration of 
$3,200, a farm consisting of 150 acres, with buildings thereon, as a home for the paupers 
of the county. This farm lies about seven miles northwest of Winchester. The authori- 
ties have employed a man to superintend the farm and over.see the paupers at a salary of 
$350 a 3'^ear. 

The average number of inmates in the poor-house thus far has been about four- 
teen.; Prior to the purchase of this farm the paupers of the county were provided for 
by annual appropriations made by the county court, and a few outside of the poor- 
house are still furnished relief in that way. 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 791 

The county is divided into civil districts numbering from one to eighteen, respectively. 
The First District has four magistrates, and all the others have two each, making a total 
■of thirty-eight. 

We give herewith the vote of Franklin County at the presidential elections commenc- 
ing with 1848: 

1848— Lewis Cass, Democrat, 1,207; Zach. Taylor, Whig, 390. 

1852— Franklin Pierce, Democrat, 1,135; Winfield Scott, Whig, 330. 

1856- James Buchanan, Democrat, 1,437; Millard Fillmore, American, 331. 

18G0— John C. Breckinridge, Democrat, 1,3^6;, Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat, 26; 
John Bell, Union, 388; Millard Fillmore. American, 331. 

1864— No election. 

1868— Horatio Seymour had a majority of about 1,200 over Gen. Grant. The vote of 
some precincts were thrown out, and the e.xact figures are not now accessible. 

1872— Horace Greeley, Democrat. 1,740; U. S. Grant, Republican. 267. 

1876— Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, 2,275; R. B. Hayes, Republican, 276. 

1880— Gen. Hancock, Democrat, 2,187; Gen. Garfield, Republican, 357; Gen. Weaver, 
Independent, 16. 

1884— Grover Cleveland, Democrat, 2,091; James G. Blaine, Republican, 645; St. 
John. 30. 

It will be observed that Mr. Tilden received the largest Democratic vote ever cast in 
the county, and Mr, Blaine the largest Republican. Up to and including the year 1880 
the voters of that part of Moore County which was cut off from Franklin County, voted 
in the latter. The vote of 1884 is the true' vote of the county as it now stands geographi- 
cally. 

In 1860 there were 10,249 white and 3,599 colored people in thecouuty, making a total 
of 13,848; in 1870 there were 11,988 white and 3,972 colored, making a total of 14,970; 
and in 1880 there were 13,646 white and 3,530 colored, making a total of 17,176. The col- 
ored population in 1860 were nearly all slaves, who became free by virtue of the emanci- 
pation proclamation, after which it seems that a large number migrated from the county, 
as shown by the fact that in 1870 there w^ere 627 less negroes than in 1860; during the 
same time the white population increased 1,748 in number. During the last decade the 
whites have increased 1,648 and the blacks 538, 

Thecouuty court clerks were Absalom Russell, 1808-13; Edmund Russell, 1813-34; 
W. B. Wagoner, 1834-36; W. W. Brazelton, 1836-40; Isaac Estill. 1840-44; Sherwood 
Williams, 1844-48; Wm. E, Taylor. 1848-58; R. F, Sims, 1858-60; John G, Enochs, 1860- 
64; Thos. Short, 1864-66; John G, Enochs, 1866-71; Clem Arledge, 1871-83; Wm. E. Taylor, 
1882-86. The registers were: John Keeton, 1808-26; Solomon Wagoner, 1826-36; Jesse T. 
Wallace, 1836-44; James L, Williams, 1844-48; Jesse T. Wallace, 1848-53; W. D. McNeil, 
1852-56; Adam Hancock. 1856-60; M. G. Osborn, 1860-64 (war interval.) Wm. Stewart, 
1865-66; D, R. Slatter, 1866-69; J. J. Martin, 1869-74; N. R. Martin, 1874-78; J, B. Ashley, 
1878-86, The chancery court clerks and masters were: John Goodwin, 1834-38; Hu 
Francis, 1838-58; H. R. Estill, 1858-71; T. H. Finch, 1871-85; Clem Arledge, present in- 
cumbent, 1883 to — 

Since the late civil war the office of county trustee has been held respectively by the 
following named gentlemen, to wit: Wm. Buchanan, Wm. R, Francis, Sanders Faris, R, 
J. Turner, R. G. Smith and the present incumbent, A. J. Skidmore. Circuit court clerks, 
since the war: George W. Hunt, 1865-66; Thos. J, Jackson, 1866-74; W. W. Estill, 
1874-78; H. P. Stewart, 1878-83; Nathan Francis, 1882-86. Sheriffs since the war, 
omitting dates: JohnW, Custer, J, ^y. Williams, H. D.Willits, D.J. Martin. H. P, Stewart, 
R. F. Oakley, J. J. Turner, and the present incumbent, C. A, Majors. J, W. Syler is the 
present county survej'or, J, P. Waddington coroner, and W,B. Watterson superintendent 
of schools. Owing to the loss of some records, and the manner in which others have 
been kept, it is impossible to compile as full and complete a list of county officers as 
might be desired. The average annual expense of the county for the last ten years has 



792 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

been $9,000, and according to the financial report of J. W. Williams, judge of the county 
court, filed Jul}"- 5, 1886, county warrants had been issued between October 1, 1885, and 
the date of his report amounting to $10,057.81; and the total amount received into the 
treasury for the same time was $9,291.01, leaving the county in debt in the sum of $766.20 
at the date of said report. 

The tax duplicate of the county for 1886 shows 337,930 acres of land assessed, and the 
total taxable property assessed at $1,687,170. And the amounts of taxes levied are as fol- 
lows, to-wit: State, $5,061.51; county, $5,670.26; school, $8,948.84; highway, $2,530.75; 
total, $22,211.16. Number of taxable polls, 2,435. 

The first term of the county court* was held in the spring of 1808 at the house of Maj. 
William Russell, near Cowan, where the county business was transacted until the seat of 
justice was established at Winchester, and a place provided for holding the courts. The 
courts were first held at Winchester about the year 1814, when the first court house was 
completed. An act of the General Assembly passed October 16, 1812, provided "that the 
county courts should be held in the county of Franklin on the third Mondays in February, 
May, August and November;" and the sessions were accordingly held on those dates un- 
til a subsequent act provided that the county courts in each and every county in the Slate 
should be held "on the first Monday in every month." 

The "minute books" of the county court prior to year 1832 have been lost or 
destroyed. The oflBcers of this court are a county judge and the magistrates of the several 
civil districts of the county. Prior to 1868 the county court was presided over by one of 
their numl:«r elected as chairman, and since that date by a judge elected by the people- 
This court continued to hold its sessions up to and including the June term, 1863, when, 
on account of the war, it suspended action until April, 1865, since which time it has held 
its regular sessions. J. N. McCutcheon served as judge of the county court from 1868 to 
1870, and Judge J. W. Williams, the present incumbent, has held the office ever since. 
There are no records of the circuit court in the county prior to the fourth Monday of January, 
1824, when the court was held by Judge Nathaniel W. Williams. Nathaniel Hunt, Esq., 
was then the high sheriff and James Fulton attorney-general, and Jonathan Spyker 
clerk. Judge Williams served one year, and was succeeded by Judge Charles F. Keith, 
who served until 1830, when he was succeeded by Judge J. C. Mitchell, who served a series 
of years. On the 26th day of January, 1825, Robert L. Mitchell, then seventy years of 
age, appeared and filed an affidavit, attesting his services in the war of the Revolution. 
In January, 1829, Samuel Suddarth was tried for manslaughter, found guilty, and 
sentenced "to be forthwith branded on the brawn of the thumb of the left hand with the 
letter M in the presence of the court, and that he be imprisoned in the jail of the county 
six months, and to pay the costs of this prosecution, and to remain in jail until the same 
be fully paid." 

The most dramatic and most lasting of all the historic episodes in the history of 
Franklin County, was the killing of Tom Tauland the trial of Rufus K. Anderson as the 
murderer. In this case the sheriff summoned, in all, 168 men to appear in court, all of 
whom were examined touching their qualifications to act as jurors in the cause, and out 
of this number "twelve good and lawful men" were found competent to try the prisoner. 
The killing took place in 1829 and the trial in 1830, but the social and political estrange- 
ments which they brought still linger here. Rufus K. Anderson was the son of Col. Wm. 
P. Anderson, of whom mention has been made in connection with the settlement of the 
county. The Andersons were wealthy and aristocratic. Thomas P. Taul was the son of 
Col. Micah Taul, who had been a colonel in the war of 1812 and a member of Congress 
from Kentucky. Coming to Tennessee, he located at Winchester, and soon took rank 
among the first lawyers of the State, and he and Hopkins L. Turney were then the leading 
members of the Winchester bar. Tom Taul is said to have been the most brilliant young 
lawj'er in Tennessee at that time. He married Miss Caroline, the acct)mplished daughter of 
Col. Wm. P. Anderson, and sister of Rufus K. In a few years Mrs. Taul died of consump- 

*Tliis was originally called the " Court of Quarter Sessious." 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 793 

tion, childless. On her death bed she gave her property to her husband by a deed. After her 
death the Andersons claimed that Taul had never been kind to her and that he had coerced 
the deed. Rufus K. Anderson, a young man of the highest notions of civil life, had gone to 
Alabama before his sister's marriage and before Col. Taul moved to Tennessee, and had nev- 
er seen his brother-in-law, Tom Taul. After the death of his sister, he returned to Win- 
chester,and asked to have Tom Taul pointed out to him, which being done, he walked across 
the street to where Taul was standing, and shot and killed him. The trial came off in less 
than a year and Col. Taul employed Col. Sam Laughlin, a most powerful prosecuting 
lawyer, and other lawyers of distinction to prosecute Anderson, who was defended by 
Hon. Felix Grundy, Hopkins L. Turney and other distinguished lawyers. By the time 
the trial came on the whole county was divided under the respective banners of the con- 
tending parties. The jury returned a verdict of "not guilty." Whether the verdict was 
just, or whether the jury was led to commit an error, will never be known with certainty. 
The State of Tennessee vs. John Farris, was an action brought against the defen- 
dent at the June term of 1830, for killing his slave named James. The trial took place at 
the July term following. One hundred and thirty-four men were brought into court and 
examined before twelve "good and lawful men " could be found competent to act as ju 
rors. Able counsel was employed by the defendant, and the jury returned a verdict into 
court of " not guilty." The foregoing causes have been mentioned because of their his- 
toric importance. There have been other murder trials, and many important civil cases, 
which might be mentioned if space permitted. 

In May, 1862, the circuit court convened for the last time until the close of the war. In 
July, 1865, it again convened with Judge Wm. P. Hickerson on the bench, since which 
lime it has held its regular sessions. Judge J. J. Williams is now the presiding officer, 
whose term is about to expire. 

The first records found of the chancery court are its proceedings in 1834, when L. M. 
Bramlett was chancellor. For a number of years following, this court was held at Win- 
chester, for Franklin and Coffee Counties. Bloomfield L. Ridley^.was chancellor from 
1843 up to the late late, civil war, as shown by the records. Only one session of this court 
was held between 1861 and 1865. At the August term, 1865, John P. Steele presided as 
chancellor, and served as such until 1870, since which time Hons. A. S. Marks, John W. 
Burton andE. D. Hancock, have filled the ofiice of chancellor, in the order named. 

A few persons have been hanged in the county by due process of law, but a greater 
number have probably been hanged without it. It is believedthat the first hanging which 
took place in the county, was that of Adkinson or Adkins, who killed his wife with a shoe 
last. This occurred about the year 1821. Just after the close of the late civil war. Roily 
Dotson, a noted bushwhacker, murderer and desperado, was taken from the jail by an 
organized body of men and hanged to a tree in the court yard until he was dead. Henry 
Huddleston, colored, was hanged to the same tree in 1882, for committing a rape on a 
white woman. In 1871, three negroes were hanged under the bridge of the Boiling Fork, 
at Winchester, for burning a church at Hawkerville. All these, excepting the first, were 
without process of law. Other hangings, both legal and otherwise, have taken place within 
the county. 

Perhaps no county in the State has ever had, according to its population, such an able 
bar as AVinchester has produced. "? */i 

The eminent jurist, Judge Nathan Green, came from Virginia when he had reached** i .-f 
-fllidiUe-Wfr, and settled on land owned by his uncle, John Paris. He was plain in dress, and 
fiot known for two years as anything but a farmer. No little merriment took place one 
day when Mr. Farris brought Green into court to take charge of and conduct a law suit in 
which the former was involved. The trial made the lawyer-farmer famous, and he at 
once stepped to the head of the bar and in a short time became chancellor, and soon 
thereafter a member of the supreme court, where he so long distinguished himself. This < 
was the home, for many years, of Tom Fletcher, one of the greatest criminal lawyers the 
State has ever produced. He, like Green, came to the bar in middle life, after failing as a 



794 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

merchant. He was the author of a paper anonymously written in 1824, styled "The Polit 
ical Horse Race," which attracted much attention in the race between Jackson, Clay. 
Adams and Crawford. 

Maj. Edward Venable, who in 1857 was appointed embassador to Gautemala, and died 
immediately after reachinfi that country, was also a prominent member of the Winchester 
bar. Frank Jones the gifted stumper and brilliant congressman, lived here and was the 
most popular man of his day. Thomas and Isaacs, brothers-in-law, both marrying the 
daughters of Col. Bullard, and both at times, in turn, representing the distr ct in Congress, 
lived here and were men of rank. Judge Isaacs was among the ablest lawyers the State 
ever had. Forrester, a man who made his mark, and was several year's a member of Con- 
gress, lived here. James Campbell was a man of great legal reputation with an un- 
blemished life. He also married a daughter of Col. Anderson, and practiced a number of 
years at the AVinchester bar, then went to Nashville, and about 1847 made a visit to the 
Winchester Springs, where he committed suicide. Hopkins L. Turney, father of Judge 
Peter Turney, was a self-educated man, and for many years one of the leading members 
of the Winchester bar. He was a man of fine personal appearance, kind and affable, in- 
fluential and popular. As a jury lawyer he was rarely equaled. He served in the Legis- 
lature, in Congress, and in the United States Ser.ate. Micah Taul, of whom mention has 
been made, was a man of great learning and eminent as a jurist. While he and Hop- 
kins L. Turney were the leading members of the bar, they were generally employed on 
opposite sides of the principal trials in litigation. Frank Estill was a very prominent 
member of the Winchester bar for many years prior to his death, which occurred only a 
few years ago. A. S. Colyar, now of Nashville, began the practice here about the year 
1844. He was a close student, and a man of great firmness, and devoted to his client's 
cause, and it is too well known to need further mention. To him acknowledgement 
is made for much valuable information compiled in the foregoing concerning the Win- 
chester bar and the trial of Rufus K. Anderson. 

Judge Peter Turney, who was colonel of the First Tennessee Confederate Infantry, 
and who since the war has served sixteen years on the bench of the Supreme Court of 
Tennessee, lives here, and was for many years a member of the Winchester bar. Many 
other prominent lawyers have been members of this bar, and Feli.x Grund}', in his day, 
practiced here. The present members of the bar are ex-Gov. A. S. Marks, Capt. Tom 
Gregory, T. A. Embry, John Simmons and Estill and Whitaker, whose biographies appear 
elsewhere in this work. .Other members are Scott Davis, Burt Russey, J. B. Ashley, 
Nathan Francis, Mr. Curtis, Brannon and Thompson, John H. Martin and James Taylor. 
Senator Isham G. Harris was born, reared and educated in this count3^ The old log 
cabin in which he was born is still standing a few miles from the town of Winchester. 

Many of the early settlers of this county were survivors of the war of the Revolution; 
and when the war of 1812 broke out between this country and Great Britain, the young 
men of Franklin County, sons of the veterans of 1776, formed themselves into "ranks of 
war," under the heroic Jackson, and others, to maintain the flag of the young republic. In 
evidence of the foregoing the following from the Home Journal of September 30, 1880, 
is inserted: "In the Home Journal office we have the manuscript of what we print. It is 
yellow with dust, age and decay. The paper is just such as could be had in those days. 
This document was found among the papers of our grandfather, Wallis Estill, who has 
left quite a family of descendants in this county. It appears that the county had been 
drained of young men, and the old men — those over forty-five— formed themselves into a 
company to protect the honor of the United States against any disaffected persons, and 
against those who might do injury to the property of the younger men who had to go to 
battle. In the list of names will be found many familiar here in Franklin County. Read 
it, and see how nobly ministers of the gospel entered in behalf of liberty: 

"Whereas, The honor of the United States has made it necessary that war should be 
declared against Great Britain by the United States; and whereas, in this contest it may 
evidently happen that the active part of our force may be called off to distant service, by 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 795 

which an opportunity will be afforded to the disaffected (if anj^ such there should be 
amongst us), to do much mischief: Therefore, for the purpose of defending the frontiers, 
and property of our younger brethren when fighting our battles abroad, and to suppress and 
put down any combination which may manifest itself inimicable to our beloved country, 
we, the undersigned, all over forty-five years of age, and most of whom fought in the 
late Revolutionary war, have embodied ourselves into a company, to be denominated the 
Revolutionary Volunteers of Franklin County; and when the company is formed, officers 
to command the same shall be elected by the suffrages of the members of the company. 
Captain, Wallis Estill; first lieutenant, Richard Farris; second lieutenant, John Woods; 
ensign, James Russey; sergeants, A. Berryhill, Alex Beard, James Holland, Jacob Caster- 
line; adjutant, James Lewis. Rev. John Davis, Rev. Wm. Ginnings, Jesse Embry, Jesse 
Bedu, John Champion, Samuel Henderson, Jos. Champion, John Chilcoat, Ralph Crabb, 
Jesse Toulan, Francis Adams, John Poe, Wm. Thompson, George Waggoner, Benj. 
Johnson, Samuel Rosebary, Archibald Woods, Rev. Andrew Woods, Rev. Peter Woods, 
Rev. Robert Bell, David Milligan, Elijah Williams, Ebenezer Picket, Moses Ayers, John 
Denson, Joseph McClusky, James Weeks, Alex. Borehill, Nicholas Robinson, James 
Busby, Thomas Green, Samuel Reynolds, Jesse Perkins, James Holland. John Robinson, 
William King, Samuel Runnells, William Crawford, James King. Richard Miller, John 
Barnett, David Larkins, William McCloud, Samuel Handley, Jacob Van Zant, Sr., James 
Harris, Robert Hudspeth, Jesse Ginn, Thomas Herlep, John Cowan, William Russell, 
Sr., Daniel Champion, William Faris, John Herrod, John Nellum, John Dellehide, Will- 
iam Greenwood, John Stokes, David McCord, Charles Weeks, Randolph Riddle, Matthew 
Taylor." 

These noble men were among those who first secured, and afterward maintained, our 
liberties, and Time, the great leveler, has long since closed the green earth over all that 
was mortal of every one of them. Many of the citizens of this county served under Jack- 
son in the Florida war, and, according to tradition, Jackson encamped with his troops 
just below Winchester, on one occasion, while the Indians were encamped on the opposite 
side of the Boiling Fork. In the brief but brilliant war with Mexico it is learned 
that Franklin County furnished Capt. George T. Colyar's Company E, of the Third 
Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. B. F. Clieatham. This com- 
pany, consisting of 115 men, rank and file, left Winchester in September, 1847, and was 
mustered into the United States service near Nashville about October 10, 1847, and left 
for Mexico in the same month. Capt. Colyar died January 8, 1848, in the city of Mexico. 
His remains were sent to his home in Winchester. First Lieut. Sherrod Williams then be- 
came captain, and continued as such to the close of the war. The company was dis- 
charged about July 32, 1848. The following is a list of the survivors of the company now 
living in this county: A. J. Caldwell, John Thurman, F. M. Williams, Ed Jackson, Will- 
iam Adcock, David Smith, Nathan Boone and Gordon McCutcheon. The following are 
living elsewhere: T. H. Finch, Texas; W. H. Jones, Lincoln County; M. N. Matthews. 
Bedford County; Wilson Clark. Alabama; Berry Logan and William Taylor, Moore Coun- 
ty; Ed Anderson aud Alpheus Green, Texas. Oliver Posey is a survivor of some other 
command in the Mexican war, and lives in Franklin Countj'. 

Early in September, 1860, while court was in session at Winchester, two or three pub- 
lic meetings of a political nature were held, and speeches were made by M. Turney, A. S. 
Colyar, T. W. Newman, H. T. Carr, Jesse Arledge, Dr. B. W. Childs and others. Much 
excitement prevailed, and the following was offered by H. T. Carr: 

"Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting, that in the event of any one of the 
Southern States," or more, should, under the grievous wrongs now pressed upon by the 
sectional States of the North, secede from the Union, we hold it to be our duty fo sympa- 
thize with, aid and assist our Southern brethren if an attempt is made to coerce them into 
submission." 

Pending the discussion of the resolution the meeting adjourned without action there- 
on. The citizens of Franklin County were mostly extremely Southern in sentiment, and 
as soon as South Carolina and other States seceded from the Union, were anxious that 
Tennessee should do likewise. 

The most intense excitement prevailed, and early in the spring of 1861 companies be- 
gan to form and drill for the contest; and soon Capt. Miller Turney's Company C, Capt. 
Clem Arledge's Company F, Capt. Jos Holder's Company I and Capt. N. L. Simpson's 



796 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Company D, of Col. Peter Turney's First Regiment Tennessee Infantry, were completely 
organized and ready for the service. These companies were led with their regiment into 
the Confederate service, long before Tennessee seceded from the Union. Then followed 
Capt. A. S. Marks' Company E, Capt. James Engle's Company I and Capt. Thomas H. 
Finch's Company D, all of the Seventeenth Regiment Tennessee Infantry. Many joined 
the Forty-first Regiment Tennessee Infantry, some joined Forrest's cavalry, and many 
others joined other commands. Including all of the foregoing, together with the recruits 
that subsequently joined these and other commands, it is safe to say that the county 
furnished over 8,000 soldiers for the Confederate Army. 

The first command of Federal troops that made its appearance in this county was 
that of Gen. Lytle, who came here in the spring of 1862, with a small command from 
General Mitchell's division, then encamped at Huntsville. He was in search of Terry's 
Texas Rangers, who were encamped at Goshen. The day after the arrival of the Feder- 
al troops Col. Cox came in on the Decherd road with a squad of rangers. A sharp skirm- 
ish ensued, in which one ranger was killed. . Col. Cox then retired, and two days later 
Gen. Lytle returned with his command to Huntsville. Soon thereafter Gen. Negley, with 
his command, passed through Winchester, on his way to Chattanooga. Gen. Buell's 
army advanced to Decherd, but retired therefrom when he fell back toward the Ohio 
River in August, 1862. On July 2, 1863, the army of Gen. Rosecrans took possession of 
Winchester and in force occupied all the surrounding country. Gens. Rosecrans, Gar- 
field, McCook and others had their headquarters at private houses in the town. The 
provost-marshal occupied the old office of Dr. Wallis Estill, and Rosecrans' staff occu- 
pied the building of the Mary Sharp College. The Normal School building (then Carrack 
Academy) was used as a hospital; and when Winchester was in the rear of Bragg's army 
almost every available house was used as a hospital. Briggs & Herrick kept a store in 
Winchester while it was under Federal rule, and were allowed to sell goods to the citizens. 
Rosecrans was here about six weeks, during which time all the forage in the surrounding 
country was gathered in for the support of his army. Soon after the Federal Army left, 
a company of citizens galloped into town and gutted the store of Briggs & Herrick, car- 
rying away nearly all its contents. Gen. Slocum and his command occupied the town a 
short time thereafter, and Gen. Sherman's army passed through Winchester, on its way 
to Chattanooga, in the winter of 1863-64. 

Franklin Count}^ was directly on the line of the contending armies, and consequently 
her citizens suffered greatly from the ravages of war. No great battles were fought, nor 
were any extensive fortifications made within the county, and strangers passing through 
it now could not observe that there had ever been a war here. 

The town of Winchester was laid out in 1810, when the site thereof was covered with 
timber. A Mr. Norwood cut the first tree on the Public Square, and the same year James 
Russey, grandfather of James Russey, now of the Ballard House, built the first house, lo- 
cating it on the corner where the Ballard House now stands. It is said that the United 
States troops wore quartered therein during the war with the Creek Indians. The latter 
James Russey is the oldest native-born citizen of the town. 

Thomas D. Wiggins was the first merchant in Winchester, and sold his goods in a log 
cabin. The next merchants were Col. Crabb, Hayter, Spyker and Daugherty, and fol- 
lowing them were the Decherds, Tom Pryor, Alfred Henderson, Tom Wilson, Joe Klep- 
per, Mark Hutchins and Mr. Blackwood. The first saloon or grocery where liquors were 
sold was kept by Daniel Eanes & Son, between 1810 and 1830. The town grew rapidly at 
its commencement, and by an act of the General Assembly of the State, passed October 
28, 1813, Ralph Crabb, Jonathan Spyker, James S. M. Wherter, James Estill and James 
Russell were appointed commissioners for the purpose of regulating the town, with au- 
thority to levy and collect taxes and compel the inhabitants to work on the streets and 
alleys. The first doctors were Higgius and Kincaid. In 1816 the learned Dr. Wallis 
Estill came from Virginia and located here. He soon rose to eminence, particularly as a 
surgeon, and did nearly all the surgical practice in the county for nearly fifty years. 




FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 797 

Soon thereafter his brother, William Estill and Dr. John Fitzpatrick, of Virginia settled 
in Winchester, and both became prominent physicians. The latter died in 1854, and the 
former in 1874. 

Soon after the town was laid out a hotel was erected opposite the Ballard House, and 
was for many years headquarters tor the stage route. The site is now vacant. The Bal- 
lard House was built about 1830, and the block on the opposite corner about 1833. By an 
act of the General Assembly passed August 20, 1823, Winchester was incorporated, 
and the town council given full power to enact all ordinances necessary to restrain vice 
and immorality and to otherwise govern the town. As early as 1826 or 1827 a branch of 
the State Bank was established in the brick building still standing opposite the south- 
east corner of the Public Square, and Dr. M. L. Dixon was the first cashier thereof. This 
bank suspended early in the "thirties," and the town has never had a bank since. In 1832 
the population of Winchester was about 600, and the business of the town nearly equal 
to what it is now. The merchants of the town during the "thirties" were Thomas Wilson, 
Joseph Klepper, Oehmig & Wells, Tolls & Russell, M. W. Howell, W. Williams, James 
Robertson, A. L. & J. W. Campbell, William & J. H. Knox, A. M. Cowan, Benj. Dech- 
erd, H. A. Rains, Hutchins & Pryor and J. & R. Snowden. Madison Porter was a black- 
smith, and Wm. Buchanan had a tan-yard. There were two saddle and harness shops, one 
by Joe Bradford and the other by James Russey. M. Robertson had a cabinet shop, and 
Edmond Dyer was the silversmith. Winchester was then the only town of importance 
on a long stage route and in a vast country surrounding it, hence its business activity. 
There were then three hotels in the town: The Ballard House, which was built and kept 
by Henry Runnells; the old frame hotel on the opposite corner, kept lastly by P. I. Curl; 
and the third hotel was kept by Col. Crabb, in the third brick building in the town. It is 
now occupied by Mark Henderson and others. Dr. Matthew L. Dixon and Dr. Turner 
were the prominent physicians of the town and Dr. Wallis Estill was at the head of 
the profession. 

Business of the forties: Merchants — Mark Hutchins, Thomas Pryor, Thomas Wilson, 
Ben Powell, F. A. Loughmiller, the Decherds, Brazeltons, J. T. Slatter, and others. Car- 
riage and coach manufacturers — Thomas Logan and Hutchins, Porter & Co. The car- 
riages were mostly sold to the wealthy planters of the South, and the business was very 
extensive. 

Business of the fifties: Merchants — D. & A. R. Brazelton, Harris & Williams. Hor- 
ton & Kennington, C. C. Brewer, Sanders & Henderson, H. Leonard & Co., N. R. Martin, 
Templeton & Stewart, Crutcher & Tennison, J. W. Templetou, W. B. Wagner, G. A. 
Shook, Houghton & Decherd, S. A. & T. J. Lockhart. Tailors— L. Stone & Co. and J. S. 
Kelly. Livery stable— John W. Curtis. Blacksmith— Owin Hill. The carriage making 
was continued by Thomas S. Logan. 

The business continued about the same until the commencement of the civil war. 
For the history of the town during the war period the reader is referred to "Military." 
On the return of peace a noticeable event was the occupation of one house at the Russey 
corner, now burnt, by two merchants, one a Federal soldier and the other a Confederate — 
one having his goods on one side, and the other occupying the other side. Soon after the 
war the merchants of the town were M. D. Embry, Avery Handley, D. S. Logan, John 
Vaughan, W. L. Bickley, Moffett & Clark, W. B. Miller, Matterson & McDowell, J. W. 
Degresse and P. H. Achey & Co. Kearly all business was suspended during the war, and 
twenty years have passed away since it began, to recruit. A reference to the business of 
the present will show how it has been re-established and increased. The merchants now 
are: Dry goods— Wiley S. Embry, J. L. Baugh, Mark Henderson, Sim Venable and A. C. 
Plumlee. Dry goods and groceries— J. A. Gaines, T. J. Gaines, J. C. Garner, T. J. Jack- 
son & Son and Whit Ransom. Hardware— Carter & Brother. Tinner and stove dealer- 
John F. Vaughan. Drugs— G. G. Phillips and John M. Hutchins. Family grocery — H. 
H. Embry. Confectioner and baker — Johnnie Schrom. Manufacturer of leather, boots, 
shoes, saddles and harness— Matt P. Petty. Provisions— B. Templeton and Mrs. Rosa 



798 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

Ayers. Milliners— Mrs. Emma Brazelton and Mrs. N. E. Days. Furniture dealers and 
undertakers— Fred Wenger and Jacob Weidman. Repair sbop— John Lawing. Jewelers— 
C. S. Crane and George R. Martin. Wagon-makers — John Kissling and Jack Miller, the 
latter colored. Manufacturers of carriages, wagons, etc., and dealers in all kinds of farm 
implements — Ruch & Little. The proprietors of the Winchester Spoke and Handle Fac- 
tory are Wenger, Girton.& Woodward, who employ ten hands, and do an extensive busi- 
ness. The blacksmiths are George Lefeber, James Lee, A. Knapper and Charlie Coleman. 
The boot and shoe-makers are R. Kleinwaechter and Bill Street. Looney and Estill are 
dealers in coal; James N. Logan, painter; R. B. Williams, picture gallery; W. E. and M. 
A. Lockridge, livery stable. Hotels — Estill House, by Isaac Estill; Ballard House, by 
James Russey; Cole House, by Mr. Cole. Physicians — Shapard, Murrell, Grisard and Bla- 
lock. Dentists — Baird, Gattis and Slaughter. Societies — Cumberland Lodge of F. & A. 
M., A. L. of H., K. of H., K. & L. of H. and Temperance Alliance. For schools and 
churches see under their appropriate heads. 

In 1855, the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the mayor and aldermen of 
Winchester to lay off the town into a suitable number of wards, and providing for the 
election of a constable and two aldermen in each ward. The town was accordingly di- 
vided into four wards, and the officers were elected, as provided in the act, which con- 
ferred upon them full power of the then existing laws for the government of incorporat- 
ed towns. The last meeting of the council, during the war, was held June 16, 1862, and the 
action of the corporation was then suspended until January 7, 1867, after which a new 
council had been elected and convened. On the 13th of March, 1883, the General Assembly, 
upon petition of the citizens of Winchester, passed an act repealing their charter, to take 
effect at the close of the year. Accordingly the council held a meeting December 31, 1883, 
and made full and final settlement of finances, and adjourned sine die. According to the 
census of 1880, Winchester had a population of 1,039, which has not greatly increased 
since. The town has no saloons, but it has two colleges, and two free schools, and seven 
churches. " The young ladies wear the blush of modesty and the crown of culture and 
refinement. The young men are thrifty, energetic and sober." 

The first newspaper published in the county, of which there is any account, was 
The Highlander, established and published in Winchester, in 1839, by H. Mabry. How 
long its publication continued is not known. The, next seems to have been 21ie 
Winchester Independent, which was established in 1850, by Alexander R. Wiggs, with 
George B. White as editor. Its publication continued about three years. Hon. F. A. 
Loughmiller, it is said, once published a paper in Winchester, the name of which 
and date of publication is clouded with uncertainty. The Wincliester Appeal was 
established in February, 1856, by George E. Pulvis & William J. Slatter. It was 
American in politics and advocated the election of Fillmore and Donelson. Its publica 
tion suspended with the close of the year. The Home Journal was established in Janu- 
ary, 1857, by Metcalfe & Pulvis, who published ten copies and then sold it to William 
J. Slatter, who was connected with it until October, 1884, when he leased it to H. H. Du- 
lin, who had for many years been connected with it in the capacity of printer. It is now 
published by Taylor & Dulin. W. D. Watterson, Lewis Metcalfe and others have been 
connected with it for short periods. It has always been Democratic in politics. ^ 

The Franklin County News was established in June, 1883, by Phillipsf'^mbrey & 
Co., who continued to publish it until 1884, when they leased it to Morrell & Snodgrass, 
who published until June, 1886. The company then sold it to Nathan Francis, the present 
publisher. It is also Democratic in politics. 

Decherd is situated on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, at the junction of the 
Decherd & Fayetteville Railroad, and two miles from Winchester. It had its origin with 
the completion of the former railroad in 1851. The only house then was the log cabin in 
which Richard Holder was living. The place was named in honor of Peter S. Decherd. 
A good depot was built and Joseph Carter made agent, and Mrs. Davidson was put in 
charge of an eating house for the railroad company, which she kept up to the war. Among 
its first merchants were Carroll Walker, John March. Aaron Lyndi and Cyrus Barnes. 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 799 

Before the war a good academy was built at a cost of about f 1,000. It was destroyed 
during the war. A union church was built by the Methodists, Baptists, Cumberland 
Presbj^terians and Christians. This was destroyed by Federal troops in the early part of 
the war. After the army of Ro.secrans occupied Decherd, it became and continued to be 
an important military station until the close of the war. It was incorporated by an act of 
the General Assembly passed January 30, 1868, and the charter was repealed by another 
act passed April 3, 1885. The town contains three general stores, one family grocery, 
queensware and hardware store, one drug store, one steam grist and flouring-mill, some 
mechanical shops, two churches and a public school. 

Cowan lies on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, at the base of the Cumberland 
Mountains on the north side, and is noted for its extensive iron manufactory. The 
Sewanee Furnace was established here in 1880, with a capital stock of $200,000. It has 
since passed into the hands of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company, with the 
capital increased to $300,000. The company employs 100 hands, and manufactures seventy 
tons of pig iron per day. The buildings are large and extensive. Cowan is an old town 
located in one of the earliest settlements made in the county. It is at the junction of the 
Sewanee & Tracy City Railroad. Its present business, aside from that of the iron fur- 
nace, consists of four general stores, one drug store, one family grocery, one grist-mill, 
some mechanical shops, five churches (three white and two colored), two good hotels and 
one academy. The place has about 800 inhabitants, a large proportion being colored. It 
is pleasantly located and the .surrounding scenery is delightful. 

Sherwood is located on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, in the romantic valley 
of Crow Creek, and is 1,100 feet above sea level. 

Ex. -Lieut. -Gov. C. D. Sherwood, of Wisconsin, after whom the place is named, lo- 
cated there in 1875, and purchased a large tract of land, and organized the Sherwood 
Colony, of which he is the president, his object being to build up a health resort, 
and manufacturing town. The town has been platted into lots of the most convenient 
size to suit purchasers, including a large number of tracts suitable for fruit farms on the 
top of the mountain, to which a wagon road of easy grade has been made. This road 
leads from Sherwood to the University of the South, at Sewanee, only a few miles 
distant. 

The colony consists at present of thirty Northern and ten Southern families. And the 
town, which is only nine years old. has two general stores, a steam saw, planing and 
shingle-mill combined, two churches, the Sherwood Academy, and one free school, the 
railroad depot and offices, a large number of dwellings, and some mechanical shops- 
There are fine mineral springs at the top of the mountain, and A. J. Smith, of Wisconsin, 
has purchased a tract of land, and made arrangements to build a hotel costing $20,000. 
To this hotel he intends to conduct the mineral waters through pipes. There are also fine 
springs of pure water at the site of the hotel. A son of Mr. Smith will commence the 
publication of a newspaper there in September next. The contract is let, and the office 
for the press is now being constructed. 

Mr. Hersheimer, of Wisconsin, has made arrangements to move his machinery to Sher- 
wood and establish a large foundry which will employ sixty hands. It is a most romantic 
place, and as soon as the improvements now under way are completed it will no doubt 
become a popular health resort. The leading industry at present is the getting out of chest- 
nut-oak tan-bark and shipping it to St. Louis and Louisville. About ninety car loads of 
this bark are shipped annuall3\ 

Anderson, a station on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, near the State line, is a 
small village containing three general stores, a station house, one church and a public 
school. 

Sewanee, at University Place, has a fine railroad depot and a three-story business 
block, built of stone. Also a large frame hotel, kept by Col. S. G. Jones, six general 
stores, one drug store and an extensive coal mine. The latter is operated by Col. 
Jones. 



800 HISTOEY OF TENNESSEE. 

Salem was an old town in the lower part of the county, which had much importance 
in its day. Some of the early merchants were John R. Patrick, Hedspeth & Simmons 
and Thomas B. Moseley. Prior to 1840 Salem was a noted cotton market. It had good 
merchants and for many years Mrs. Cowan's hotel was considered one of the hest in the 
country. On the 7th of March, 1878, the town was nearly all destroyed by fire. Mrs. 
Cowan's hotel, some dwellings and every business house in the village were consumed. 
The loss was estimated at $31,000. The town has never been rebuilt. In its "palmy 
days" it had a flourishing academy, tlie building of which is now used for the public school. 

Belvidere, on the Decherd & Fayetteville Railroad, five miles below Winchester, has 
a station house, general store, blacksmith's shop, etc. 

Maxwell, further down on the same railroad, has a station house, two general stores, 
one church, a shoe shop, two doctors and a few residences. 

Hunt's Station on the same railroad, near the western line of the county, has a station 
house and express ofHee, four general stores, one church, a public school, etc. Estill 
Springs on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, was formerly a summer resort, and 
frequently contained a summer population of several hundred. It was almost entirely 
destroyed during the war, and has not been rebuilt. There are two general stores there 
at present. Hurricane Springs lie near the Moore County line and about four miles from 
the railroad. It is now the great fashionable resort for invalids and pleasure-seekers. It 
has a large hotel and cottages for visitors. Winchester Springs, formerly a great summer 
resort for the wealthy planters of the South, are located in a romantic dell near Elk 
River, and about five miles from Winchester. The Springs furnish red, yellow and white 
Bulphur, chalybeate, freestone and limestone water. It is a fine summer resort. J. R. 
Warner is the proprietor. 

In the settlement and growth of Franklin County, very little attention was paid to 
education, until villages with their academies became established. No adequate system of 
free schools existed prior to the late civil war. The first effort to establish an academy 
within the county, was made in the General Assembly of the State, by an act passed 
November 22, 1809, establishing Carrick Academy. Wm. Metcalfe, James Hunt, James 
Cunningham, Richard Callaway, Christopher Bullard and Geo. Taylor, were constituted a 
body politic and corporate, by the name of the Trustees of the Carrick Academy of the 
county of Franklin. The academy was established on the present site of the Winchester 
Normal, but when it was first organized and by whom first taught can not be stated. Prof. 
Witter conducted the school for some years prior to 1827 or 1828, when the school building 
was consumed by fire. In 1829, the trustees contracted with Wallis Estill to erect a new 
building, which cost $629. They then eiuployed Prof . Robert Witter, a son of the former 
professor, to teach the school. In 1855, a brick building (which forms a part of the pres- 
ent building) was erected at a cost of about $5,000. And in 18G5 it was leased to the 
Bisliop and Diocese of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Tennessee for ninety-nine 
years. A school was opened under the auspices of said church, and continued about two 
years, when the lease was surrendered back to the trustees who gave it. The war c6m|» 
in"- on the 'academy was neglected for a series of years, and in 1871 Prof. R. A. Clark 
took charge of it, and in 1873, he was joined by Prof. J. M. Bledsoe and together they 
conducted the school until 1878. Carrick Academy was for males only. 

Referring to early times it is found that among the very early teachers were Jonathan 
Burford whom, it is thought, taught the first school in Winchester, in a log cabin, near 
the Davidson Spring; and Rev. Andrew S. Morrison, who taught in a cabin, on the south 
side of Little Mountain. Abram Shook and M. K. Jackson were also among the early 
teachers. The Locust Hill Female Seminary, two milQs southeast of Salem, was a flour- 
ishin"- school for many years before the late war. There was also an academy at Salem, 
■which is now used b}' the free school. The Acme Academy, at Cowan, was chartered in 
1882. It has an average of seventy pupils. The Sherwood Academy was chartered in 
1881, and is doing a good work in that new and romantic village. 

The Winchester Female Academy was founded by Rev. W. A. Scott, of the Cumber- 



FKANKLIN COUNTY. 801 

land Presbyterian Church. The building was erected in 1835, and the school opened in 
December of the same year. Rev. Scott and his wife were the tirst teachers. They con- 
tinued about three years, and were succeeded by Rev. T. C. Anderson, two years. He was 
followed by Rev. Biddle, who taught until his death, which occurred about 1856. About 
this time the name of the academy was changed to that of The Robert Donnell Institute, 
and the faculty changed frequently thereafter. Profs. Syler and Crisraan taught at dif- 
ferent periods, and after the war Rev. McKinzie taught, and was followed by Prof. A. 
M. Burney. In the early sessions of this academy there were from 80 to 120 pupils in at- 
tendance, and the number afterward increased to. about 160, and finally decreased so that 
the school had to be closed for want of patronage. The building is now used by the free 
school. 

The Winchester Normal, for both sexes, was chartered in May, 1878. Capt. B. Dufield. 
J. L. Baugh, W. W. Garner, G. G. Phillips, T. J. Gaines, John Simmons, James H. Davis, 
John Kaserman and H. G. Hampton were constituted a body politic and corporate under 
the name of " The Winchester Normal." At the organization Capt. Dufield was elected 
president of the board of trustees, and Prof. J. W. Terrill was chosen president of the fac- 
ulty and teacher of logic, mental and moral philosoph}^ etc.; Prof. R. A. Clark as teacher 
of matiiematics, astronomy, etc.; and Prof. J. M. Bledsoe as teacher of Greek, Latin, etc- 
In May, 1878, the trustees of Carrick Academy, by authority of the county court, leased to 
the trustees of the Winchester Normal, the buildiiigs and premises of the former academy 
for a period of fifteen years; and in December, 1881, a lease was made for fifty years 
more, to commence at the expiration of the first lease. This school was opened in Septem" 
ber, 1878, with 220 students, including 160 free-school pupils, leaving only 60 who paid 
tuition. The free-school pupils were taken out at the end of the first year. The Normal 
has met with excellent success, and it is deservedly popular. Prom 60 paying students of 
the first year, the number has increased to 417 which were in attendance during the last 
year. Prof. Bledsoe retired from the faculty in 1881, and at present the faculty consists 
of President James W. Terrill, Prof. R. A. Clark, Miss Matt Estill, Miss Maud Terrill, 
Mrs. Colie Terrill, Miss Lillis Bledsoe, and Miss Fannie Stewart. 

The history of the Mary Sharp College has been ably written and published in 
The Illustrated Baptist, from which is quoted a few extracts. This college, located at 
Winchester, "was founded in 1850, for the purpose of giving to the daughters of the South 
a more thorough and practical education than could be obtained in any school for girls, 
North or South." Two of the men most active and efficient in securing a departure from 
the custom of superficially educating girls, were Rev. J. R. Graves, the well known Bap- 
tist divine, now of Memphis, but then of Nashville, and Col. A. S. Colyar, now a distin- 
guished member of the bar at Nashville, but at that time a citizen of Winchester. 

" In the latter part of 1849, the services of Z. C. Graves, of Kingsville, Ohio, were 
secured. He was widely known as a most successful educator, and bi-ought with him the \ 
entire faculty of the institution he left; Prof. W. P. Marks, for the chair of mathematics, 
his wife Mrs. Graves, for Latin and belles-lettres, and his sister Mrs. Marks, for the pre- 
paratory department. The professor of music was Joliann Svensen, of the Conservatory 
of Music, at Stockholm, in Sweden. Two years after. Prof. Marks was succeeded by a 
brother of Mrs. Graves, Prof. G. D. Spencer. Save the music department, the teachers 
were all of one family, and a most harmonious and eflacient band they were. Prof. Spencer 
taught until his death in 1864." 

"In January. 1850, school was commenced in a commodious private dwelling, which 
was purchased for a boarding house for the embryo college, the families of the faculty 
living in the same house. The pupils were at first less than twenty, and the teachers five. 
At the close of the year the students were more than a hundred, and the school was re- 
moved to the service and basement rooms of the Baptist Church, where it continued to be 
taught for two years, whence, at the beginning of 1854, it removed to its permanent quar- 
ters, in the main building of the present college editice." A thorough course of study was 
prepared, in which mathematics had a prominent phice, English brandies also, the Latin 



802 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

and Greek lanj^uages, with au extended and thorousj;-!! drill in logic and melapliysics. Tlie 
study of the Greek, language was unknown at that time in any institution for girls. 

The name of the college was at first the "Tennessee and Alabama Female Insti- 
tute," but when the charter was procured it was changed to Mary Sharp College, to per- 
petuate the memory of the estimable lady who had made the largest donation for this first 
real " woman's college " in this or any other land— Mrs. Mary Sharp— the childless widow 
of an extensive planter in the vicinity of Winchester. The college edifice consists of a 
main building, three stories high. 80x40 feet, with two wings, each 24x40 feet, two stories 
high, and a laboratory, 34x18 feet, at the rear, the whole making twenty-five rooms for 
teaching purposes. 

The prosperity of the Mary Sharp College has been unexampled. Commencing with 
less than twenty pupils, in ten years it had a patronage of 320 from eleven different 
States. The war left nothing but tiie bare walls of the college edifice standing. The ex- 
pense of repairs fell lieavily on President Graves, wiio paid it out of his own pocket. In 
186-") pupils began to return, and although other prominent institutions of learning have 
sprung up in the immediate vicinity, this college has made rapid pr ogress, and stands at the 
head of female colleges, and is able to prove that it is the pioneer college established for the 
higher education of woman. That is, it is the first college founded in America for women 
where Latin and Greek are a sine qua non for graduation. At the last commencement, 1886. 
the Mary Sharp College graduated a class of nineteen students. Over 5,000 young ladies 
(students) have attended this college since its commencement. The college is now in a 
flourishing condition and has the following able faculty: Z. C. Graves, LL. D., president; 
A. T. Barrett, LL. D.. Prof. J. M. Bledsoe, Prof. C. F. Utermoehlen, Prof. E. M. Gard- 
ner, Miss Florence Griffin, A. M., Miss Mary Taylor, Miss Nannie Henderson, A. B., 
Mrs. K. C. Barrett, Mrs. J. M. Bledsoe, A. B.". Miss Nannie Huff, Mrs. A. C. Graves, A. 
M. ; A. T. Barrett, secretary. During the thirtj^-six j'ears existence of this college. Dr. 
Graves, the founder thereof, has been its constant .president. 

Gen. LeonidasPolk (founder of theUuiversit.Yof the South), a native of Tennessee, but 
late bishop of Louisiaaa, first conceived the idea of concentrating the interests of the South- 
ern dioceses of the Protestant Episcopal Church upon one great school of learning. In 
ISofi he issued an address to the bishops of the Southern States, proposing to establish a 
university upon a scale that would reach the demands of the highest Christian education. 
Receiving the proposal with favor, the bishops of the South and Southwest, with dele- 
gates, assembled, for the first time, on Lookout Mountain on July 4, 18.57, and decided to 
establish the proposed university. After many places were scientifically examined, 
Sewanee, Tenu., was chosen, on account of its healthfulness and delightful and 
picturesque scenery, as the site of the university. A charter was soon afterward procured 
from the State of Tennessee, granting the fullest power, and a domain of 10,000 acres of 
land was secured for the university. 

An endowment of nearly $.500,000 was obtained, and the corner-stone laid with great 
ceremony. Offices and buildings were erected, when the late civil war broke out and put 
a stop to all further opei-ations. At the close of the war little remained, except the uni- 
versity domain. A movement was inaugurated in 1866 to revive the work. Funds were 
generously contributed in England, and in September, 1868, the trustees were enabled to 
put the university in operation upon a moderate scale. The prosperity of the institution 
from its opening until 1874 was on the rapid increase. At the latter date its numbers felj 
rapidly in consequence of the financial depression throughout the country, from which it 
did not recover until about 1880. Since then it has grown rapidly. The following is a 
list of the public liuildings of the university, with cost of construction annexed: St. 
Luke's Hall, $45,000; Hodgson Lil)rary, $12,000; Thompson Hall, $12,000; St. Augustine 
Chapel and Quadrangle, $70,000; Temporary building, 1866, $15,000. The school opened 
in September, 1866, with fifteen pupils, and closed its recent term, June 30, 1886, 
with 281 pupils. The faculty consists of Rev. Telfair Hodgson, D. D., Dean, 
and Revs. George T. Wilmer, D. D., W. P. DuBose, S. T. D., Thomas F. Gailor, 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 803 

M. A., S. T. B., Sylvester Clark, F. A. Shoup, D. D., and gentlemen— Gen. E. Kirby 
Smith, F. M. Page, M. A., Greenough White, M. A., B. L. Wiggins, M. A., W. A. Guerry 
M. A., J. W. 8. Arnold, M. D., and Dr. Albert Schafter as professors ; Rt. Rev. John 
N. Galleher, D. D., Bishop of Louisiana, and Rt. Rev. J. F. Young, D. D., Bishop of 
Florida, as lecturers; J. W. Weber, instructor in book-keeping, and Robert W. Dowdy, 
second lieutenant Seventeenth Infantry, United States Army, commandant of cadets and 
instructor in military science. Sewanee, the site of the university, is on the elevated 
plateau of that name — a spur of the Cumberland Mountains. Its elevation above the level 
of the sea is about 2,000 feet and about 1,000 feet above the surrounding country, and its 
climate is unsurpassed. There are many elegant residences, and Sewanee and University 
Place combined contains about 1,000 inhabitants. 

Under the present free-school system the educational interests of the countj' have 
reached the following statistics, to wit: Scholastic population — white males, 2,626; white 
females, 2,346; colored males, 690; colored females, 530. Grand total, 6,192, of which 
4,100 attended school in 1885. The number of free schools are as follows: White, 62; col- 
ored, 9. During the last school year there were 38 white male and 28 white female, and 
9 colored male and 3 colored female teachers employed, at an average compensation of 
$30 per month. The length of the school year was four months. About $17,000 are an- 
nually expended in the county for the support of the free schools. 

The pioneer settlers of Franklin County were a Christian people, who worshiped 
God while undergoing the hardships of frontier life. A large number of the iirst settlers 
were ministers of the gospel. Public worship was held in every neighborhood in the 
cabins of some pious settlers. And as the people became more numerous they established 
camp-meetings at various places ^throughout the county. The early Methodist camp- 
meeliugs were located at Farris' Chapel, Walnut Grove, Caney Hollow, Marble Plains 
and Dabb's Ford. The Presbyterians established a camp ground at Goshen, and the 
Baptists established one near Salem. At these places the good people met annually "in 
God's first temples," the groves, to worship Him. These camp-meetings were mostly con- 
tinued until the late civil war, since which time all have been discontinued, except the 
one at Goshen, where services are annually held for a season on the camp grounds. But 
no tents are now used, as the people go to the grove in the morning, and worship during 
the day, and return home in the evening. The pioneer religious denominations were the 
Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Lutherans, and Revs. James Faris, James Rowe, 
Elijah Brazier, Henry Larkin, Robert Bell and Wm. Woods were some of the pioneer 
preachers. Early churches were established by the respective denominations in the 
neighborhood of the location of the camp grounds before mentioned. 

The Goshen Presbyterian Church was organized soon after the first settlement, and 
Rev. Robert Bell was the first pastor. Immediately after the organization of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, the Goshen Church joined it in a body. It still exists and 
has a very large membership. There is now only one Presbyterian Church in the county, 
and that one was established at Decherd about 1874, and has now a membership of about 
sixty. Decherd also has two colored churches — one Missionary Baptist and one Southern 
African Methodist. At Winchester divine services were first held in private houses, and 
next in the court house, until 1827, when the Cumberland Presbyterian Church edifice 
was erected on the lot where the Christian Church now stands. This was the first church 
building erected in the town. The first Sunday-school in Winchester was organized 
about 1828, and was conducted by Benjamin Decherd and others in a room of the second 
story of the court house, where white and colored children were taught together. About 
1830 the Methodists built a log church in the Moseley neighborhood. The Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church in Winchester was organized about 1820, by Benjamin Decherd and 
Judge Green, their wives, and others. Rev. Joseph Copp was pastor of this church early 
in the thirties. He was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Scott, who founded the Winchester 
Female Academy. The present church edifice was built in 1858. At present it has a 
membership of about 125. 



804 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The Missionary Baptist Church in Winchester was founded about 1849 by Rev. A. D. 
Trimble, pastor, with a membership of about twenty-fiye. The church edifice was com- 
pleted in 1852. The present resident membership is about fifty, and about twenty-five of 
the Mary Sharp College students, who reside abroad. Rev. Enoch Windes is the pastor. 

The Catholic Church, at Winchester, was built soon after the close of the late civil 
war. Its members reside principally in the country. The edifice of the Christian Church 
at Winchester, was completed in 1885, Elder Floyd is the present minister. 

The original trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Winchester, were ' 
Robert Dougan, Robert Haukins, Wiley Densen, Charles Farris, William Stewart and 
John Fennell. A lot was donated to this church by J. Gordon, and the church built 
thereon in 1834. The church was organized with a small membership — twenty -five, per- 
haps. In 1854 the church edifice and lot were sold to Prof. Charles Guita for the sum of 
$400. The new church building was dedicated in 1853 by Dr. McFerrin. The present 
membership is 140. Rev. W. T. Haggard is the present pastor. The Episcopal Church 
at Winchester was founded principally by Ashton Butterworth, the most liberal donor, 
and Rev. J. L. Park. The edifice was erected in 1874 and the church has a membership 
of about forty. The Christian Church at Cowan was built in 1880. At Sherwood there 
is a Union and also a Methodist Church, the edifice of the latter being built in 1881, and 
the former in 1883. There are two colored churches in Winchester — one Methodist and 
the other Baptist. There are many other churches throughout the county, of which, for 
want of space, we can not speak in detail. 

Franklin County has had her full share of suffering on account of intemperance. 
It can now be recorded that intemperance is on the decrease, while temperance is on 
the increase. Only a few years ago nearly every village in the county had its tippling 
saloons; but in 1876 the "Star of Hope Lodge," of the I. O. G. T., was organized in 
Winchester by J. J. Hickman, Grand Worthy Chief Templar, with a membership of sixty- 
five, which afterward increased to about 300. This lodge began the battle with intemper- 
ance and so prevailed upon the people as to induce them to petition the General Assembly 
to abolish the charter of Winchester. The charter being abolished the tippling houses 
had to immediately close up under the "four-mile law." This induced other towns to 
have their charters abolished, and now there is not an incorporated town in the county 
and not a tippling saloon. But the colleges and schools are incorporated. It seems that 
under the laws of Tennessee incorporated towns mean saloons, intemperance and degrada- 
tion, while incorporated colleges and schools mean temperance, education and good morals. 
It is to be regretted, however, that such a town as Winchester has to sacrifice its munici- 
pal government in order to suppress the " trafiic." 



MOORE COUNTY. 

MOORE COUNTY lies in the south central portion of Tennessee, and is bounded on 
the north by Bedford, east by CofEee, south by Franklin, and west by Lincoln. It 
contains about 170 square miles, and its surface is greatly diversified. About one-half of 
the county lies on the Highland Rim, and the remainder in the Central Basin. The east- 
ern portion has a high, flat, slightly-rolling surface, known as the "barrens, "which breaks 
off to the south and west into ridges and ravines, some of the latter having a depth of 300 
to 400 feet. These ridges are spurs which shoot out into the valley of the Elk and Mul- 
berry and their tributaries, the valleys constituting a part of the broken southern division 
of the Central Basin which is partially cut off by Elk Ridge. These ridges are very fertile. 
They are composed mainly of the Nashville limestone, upon which rests the black shale 



MOORE COUNTY. 805 

or Devouian, and upon this shale rests as a protecting rock, the siliceous layers of the 
barren group, which is characteristic of the barren portion of the Highland Rim. Marble 
of a fair quality is found in the county. 

The eastern portion, known as the "barrens," is covered mostly with a light growth 
of scrubby oak timber, and the soil has a whitish clay surface, with a porous, leachy 
subsoil, and is very sterile, except for the cultivation of fruits and tobacco. Elk Ridge is 
very fertile, and almost as productive as the best valley lands. It is heavily timbered 
with poplar, oak, chestnut, walnut, sugar, linden and locust. The valleys of the Elk, 
Hurricane, Mulberry and their tributaries^ have a rich alluvial soil, which is very produc- 
tive. The staple crops of the county, are wheat, corn, rye and oats. Blue grass is indig- 
enous to the soil. Clover, timothy and most other grasses yield bountifully with proper 
cultivation. Stock raising is carried on to some extent, and the county, with its numerous 
springs, is well adapted to dairy farming, which however is not carried on to any consid- 
erable extent. The farms are not in as high a state of cultivation as they are capable of 
being brought. A good turnpike road leading from Shelbyville to Fayetteville passes direct- 
ly through the county, via County Line and Lynchburg. The county is high, healthy, 
and well drained. It has no swamps to contaminate its atmosphere with malarial poison. 

The first settlements in the territory now composing Moore County were made near the 
beginning of the present century, when bears, wolves, deers, and all kinds of game were 
abundant. Just when and by whom the first actual settlement was made cannot be stated, 
but the names of a considerable number of the earliest settlers can be given. Will- 
iam B. Prosser came from North Carolina and settled in this county in 1806, and William 
Spencer came in 1808. Isaac Forrester, born in South Carolina in 1790, seltled here prior 
to the war of 1812, in which he participated. In 1816 he married Miss Matilda Hodges, 
and both are yet living. They are the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom are 
still living. They have had eighty-nine grandchildren, sixty-nine of whom are living, and 
they have had nearly seventy great-grandchildren, sixty of whom are living, and two 
great-great-grandchildren, both living. A remarkable family — certainly they have obeyed 
the Scriptural injunction "Be ye fruitful, multiply, etc." 

A Mrs. Wiseman, who was also born in 1790, is still living in this county. Frederick 
Waggoner and family settled in the county before the war of 1812, in which he partici- 
pated in the battle of the Horse Shoe Bend. Woodey B. Taylor and his wife, Nancy 
(Seay) Taylor, parents of John H. Taylor (Uticle Jack as he was familiarly called), came 
from Georgia with their family in 1809, and settled on East Mulberry, about two miles 
below the site of Lynchburg. There was only one house then between their settlement and 
Lynchburg, and that one was at the place now owned by Mrs. B. H. Berry. At that time 
there were only two log-cabit.s in Lynchburg, one where Dr. Salmon now lives, and the 
other at Mrs. Alfred Eaton's place; Mr. Joel Crane then lived in the former. The same 
year, 1809, Andrew Walker came from South Carolina, and settled upon and mostly 
cleared the farm, and soon thereafter erected the house where Smith Alexander now lives. 
Samuel Isaacs then lived on the Jack Daniel's farm, and Daniel Holman lived in the next 
house down the valley. Anthony and Thomas Crawford, James Clark and Champion Bly 
were then living.near Lynchburg. Mrs. Agnes Motlow, widow of a soldier of the war of 
the Revolution, settled m this county in 1809 or 1810, with her five sons, Zadoch, William, 
James, John and Felix, and two daughters, Elizabeth, who married Andrew Walker, of 
whom mention has been made, and Lauriet, who married Mr. — Massey. The Motlow 
family in this part of the State originated from the above ancestors. Reuben Logan set- 
tled here soon after 1800, and had many successful encounters with the wild animals. He 
killed many bears and deers, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. 

James Cox and Mary, his wife, were-among the first children born within the limits of 
Moore County. Dempsey Sullivan and Naomi, his wife, were born in this county in 1811 
and 1812, respectively. 

Michael Tipps settled in the county in 1813. His wife, nee Leah Scivally, was born 
here in 1810, and she is still living. Thomas H. Shaw, father of Elder Shaw, born at Per- 



806 * HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

ryville, K3^, in 1798, settled in this county before the war of 1812, in which he was a sol- 
dier under Gen. Jackson. He married a daugliter of Thomas Roundtree, and was a mag- 
istrate for many years, and died in 1872. In 1815, James P. Baxter and family settled on 
the farm where John F. Taylor now resides. He was a county surveyor thirty-three 
3'ears, and was a member of the commission to locate the Creek Indians. John F. Baxter 
was born in 1827, on the farm where he has always resided and still resides, without ever 
having been away from home seven days at a time. James S. Ervin settled in the county 
in 1816, and Martin L. Parks in 1818. The latter was an officer in the war of 1812. About 
the year 1812, a Mr. Brown and others erected the first grist mill in the county near where 
Jack Daniels' distillery now stands. Soon thereafter a distillery was established there, 
which was probably the first one in the county. 

The first cotton-gin was erected near the same place in about 1818. Thomas Round- 
tree built the cotton-mill on the creek at Lynchburg, about the year 1820. At this time 
there was a cotton-gin and cotton-mill on East Mulberrj^ Creek near the county line, 
owned by Levi Roberts. The grist-mill and cotton-gin at Lynchburg, was then operated 
by Wm. P., Long. A large tannery was also in operation at Lynchburg about this time. 
A Mr. McJimsey is said to have opened the first store in Lynchburg some time prior to 
1820, at which time AVm. P. Long kept a general store in the same place. Barnes Clark, 
Wm. Howard, Wm. Bedford Mr. Bird and Wm. Burdge were all among the ear- 
liest settlers in the county, and the three latter were among the pioneer school-teachers. 
For a number of years after the first settlements were made, and before local mills were 
erected, the people had to go all the way to Murfreesboro and to Mill Creek, near Nashville, 
to get their grinding done. John Guthrie with his family settled near the site of Dance & 
Waggoner's mill in 1820, and lived there until his death. Wm. Tolley, whose death oc- 
curred in 1884, settled in this county in 1825. Samuel Edens and his family were living at 
Lynchburg at that time. Stephen M. Dance and family settled in 1826, on the farm where 
J. T. S. Dance now resides. Joseph Call and Rebecca, his wife, settled in 1834, on a 
farm in the present District No. 6, where he died in 1842. Mrs. Call subsequently had 
three husbands and outlived all of them, and died in 1880, in this county. 

Col. Davie Crockett, the great pioneer hunter and adventurer, resided for a time on 
a branch of the East Mulberry in this county. Moses Crawford came to this county in 
1809, and lived at or near Lynchburg, and attended the "sale of lots when the town was 
laid off in lots and sold." The vallej^s were then covered with cane-brakes. The Falcon 
of March 20, 1885, published a letter from Mr. Crawford dated at Grand Island, Neb., 
where he then resided. This letter refers to the early settlement of this county, and es- 
pecially the great earthquake shock so sensibly felt here in 1811. He says "the prevalent 
idea was, judgment is knocking at the door. The earth reeled as a drunken man. Mercy 
was sought and pardon found in many eases. * * * Preaching every four 
weeks at my father's house. Rev. Adams, of Flat Creek, was minister or pastor in 
charge. My father and mother were old members of said church for years before. Peo- 
ple came from far to hear the Scripture propounded. The ministers were Adams, Hardy, 
Holman and Whittaker. The addition to the church was large every Sabbath. There 
were none but Baptists in this neck of woods. They used to take the applicant for bap- 
tism down to the ford, singing as they went. The place for immersion was near where 
Roundtree built his dam across Mulberry. Revivals stopped and drinking liquor began. 
I think I knew some of your ancestors. Two brothers by the name of Parks came there 
some time l)etween 1815 and 1820, I think with'Smiths. Time rolled on and rolled them 
off, and I soon shall follow." 

Mr. Crawford then says "that after the war of 1812 closed, a clan of thieves was 
found in and about the present town of Lynchburg. And that in the neighborhood of 
Barnes Clark, a blacksmith three or four miles southeast of Lynchburg, stealing was as 
common as going to church. A member of this clan by the name of Woods, or some- 
thing else, was lynched till he told of or showed the cave or warehouse of stolen goods. 
Old Hickory Jackson permitted the shooting of John Woods and a brother for stealing." 



MOOKE COUNTY. 807 

About this time it seems tliere were no laws in force here for the suppression of crime, 
ami consequently the good people organized themselves into vigilance committees, and 
took the administration of justice into their own hands, and "Judge Lynch" presided at 
their meetings. They selected the large beech tree which stood over the spring, after- 
word known as the town spring of Lynchburg, for a whipping post, and after arresting 
offenders and bc'coming satisfied of their guilt, tied them to this tree and authorized some 
one to administer the whipping, which was generally very severe. Uncle Jack Taylor 
siiys he saw about twenty persons whipped at that famous tree, and three other's at 
another tree, near which he now resides. In this way public offenders were punished for 
all kinds of crime until the courts were establislied, and the civil authorities sufficiently 
empowered to enforce the laws for the protection of society. The noted lynching tree 
stood until about the year 1880. 

Like most rural counties Moore's industries have been limited principally to agricult- 
ure. Manufacturing, except in the article of whisky, has never been developed to any 
considerable extent. A few gristmills and saw-mills, sufficient for the accommodation 
of the people, have been erected and operated. The manufacture of whisky has been ex- 
tensive. In addition to what has already been mentioned, Samuel Isaacs and John Sil- 
vertooth erected a distiliery on the German branch of East Mulberry, one and a half 
miles below Lynchburg, in about 182."); and near the same time another was. erected by 
Mr. Isaacs, three miles below town. 

Alfred Eaton erected a distillery in an early day, about two miles below Lynchburg. 
Calvin Stone erected one on West Mulberry in 1853. As the country improved numerous 
distilleries were constructed and operated, from time to time, in the territory composing 
the county. There are now fifteen registered distilleries in Moore County. ToUey & 
Eaton's, established in 1877, at County Line, is said to be the largest sour mash distillery 
in the State. It has a capacity of 98 bushels of corn and 300 gallons of spirits per day. 
It is all run b_y machinery. Jack Daniels', the next in size, was built in 1876, at the Cave 
Spring, at Lynchburg, where, it is claimed, the first one in the county was erected. The 
capacity of this distillery is 50 bushels of corn and 150 gallons of spirits per day. The 
other thirteen distilleries have an average capacity of 33 bushels of corn and 70 gallons of 
spirits per day. Then, when all are running, tlaey will grind 447 bushels of corn per day 
and produce about 1,360 gallons of whisky. This is an immense industry. Suppose these 
fifteen distilleries to run their full capacit}' for six months, or 156 days, in the year, they 
would manufacture the immeuse amount of 303,160 gallons, or 5,054 barrels, of 40 gallons 
each, which, at $3 per gallon, would amount to the sum of $404,330. When these distill- 
eries are running they consume, at an advanced price, all the surplus corn that the farm- 
ers can raise. They also consume thousands of cords of wood annually. ' They thus make 
for their farmers a home market for their grain and wood; and the revenue to the people 
of the county for the corn, wood and whisky is immense. The whisky manufactured here 
is known in commerce as Lincoln County Whisky, and is among the best manufact- 
ured in the United States. The capital employed in this branch of industry is said to pay 
20 per cent. The manufacture of domestic goods is carried on, in the families, to a great 
extent. 

The lands of the country are rich and productive, teeming with thousands of horses, 
mules, cattle, sheep and hogs. All kinds of grain, fruit and vegetables can be raised in 
great profusion. All kinds of grass, clover and millet grow to perfection. The highlands 
of the eastern part are especially adapted to the production of grape. The people are cor- 
dial and hospitable — primitive in their habits, and manufacture and wear a great deal of 
home-made clothing. 

The county of Moore was organized in accordance with an act of the General Assem- 
bly of the State of Tennessee, entitled "An act to establish a new county out of portions 
of the territory of Lincoln, Franlvlin, Coffee and Bedford Counties, to be called the county 
of Moore, in honor of the late Gen. William Moore, of Tullahoma, Tenn., one of the early 
settlers of Lincoln County, Tenn., a soldier of the war of 1813, and for many years a mem- 
ber of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, " passed December 14, 1871. 



808 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The act provided that the county should be bounded by a line described thereiu. And 
for the purpose of organizing the county, the following commissioners were appointed by 
said act, to wit: Berry Prosser, Lewis Morgan, J. B. Thompson, John D. ToUey, H. H. 
Smith, William Copeland, J. E. Spencer and S. J. Green, of the county of Lincoln; C. T. 
Shiver, A. J. Simpson, Goodwin Miller and Harvey Farris, of the county of Franklin; 
James G. Aydelotte, Mike Campbell, Thomas CoUey and S. J.'McLemore, of the county 
of Coffee; William Smith, W. P. Bobo and John Sullivan, of the county of Bedford; wlio, 
before entering upon their duties, should take an oath to faithfully and impartially dis- 
charge the same as such commissioners, And to ascertain the will of the people of the 
fractions of the old counties out of which the new county was to be composed, said com- 
missioners were to cause elections to be held at as early a day as practicable in each of the 
fractions of the old counties to be included in the new one. And if the requisite consti- 
tutional majorit}' was found to be in favor of the new county, the said commissioners were 
to complete the organization in accordance with the provisions of the act. 

The act provided that said commissioners should have power to make any change in 
the lines of said county, if found necessary, so as to conform with the requirements of the 
constitution of the State— j. e., that none of the old counties out of which the new one 
was to be formed should be reduced below 500 square miles; and that they should cause 
an actual survey of the county to be made, and an actual enumeration of the qualified 
voters in the limits of said county to be taken, to ascertain if said new county contained 
275 square miles, and 700 qualified voters. Accordingly, on January 6, 1872, said commis- 
sioners met at Lynchburg and organized by electing A. J. Simpson chairman and John 
D. Tolley secretary, and at once employed J. B. Thomison and R. F. Daruoby to survey 
the boundary line of the new county, to begin at 13 o'clock M., on Monday January 8 
1872, at or near Rev. J. W. Holman's place, on the Mulberry & Lynchburg Turnpike. The 
commissioners then adjoui-ned until the 23d day of Januarj^ when a plat of the survey of 
said county was presented to them by said surveyors. The plat was accepted, and the 
surveyors ordered to make a full and complete written report of the survey, which they 
afterward did. 

Three hundred and forty-one square miles were found to be included in, this survey. 
Subsequently the commissioners learned that Coffee County contained less than 500 square 
miles, and consequently no portion of it could be attached to the new county. By this 
survey the county line was run eleven miles from the county seats of Bedford, Lincoln 
and Franklin Counties by surface measurement. This was not satisfactory to Lincoln 
and Franklin Counties, consequently each brought suit against Moore County to reclaim 
their lost territory. The matter was fully litigated in the Lincoln County Chancery 
Court, and finally decided that the line of Moore County should be established eleven 
miles, on a straight air line, from the county seats of the old coiinties from which it was 
composed. This made a new survey necessary between this county and both Lincoln and 
Franklin Counties. Bedford County brought no suit to enforce this "straight line rule," 
but allowed the line to stand as originally surveyed. This very materially reduced the 
county in size, so that it now contains only about 270 square miles, or about seventy-one 
square miles less than the original survey included. 

On Saturday, April 13, 1872, elections were held in each of the fractions of the old 
counties to be included in the new, to ascertain the will of the people on the formation 
of a new county, and the votes cast were as follows: In fraction of Lincoln County for 
new county, 799; for old county, 51. In fraction of Bedford Countj% for new county, 59; 
for old county, none. In fraction of Franklin County, for new county, 284; for old 
county, 6. The requisite number of two-thirds having voted in favor of the new county, 
the county of Moore became established, and it only remained to perfect its organization. 
The commissioners then appointed Wm. Tolley, J. M. Spencer, Berry Leftwick, G. W. 
Byrom and F. T. Davis to divide the county into civil districts. The subdivision was 
made and the districts formed and named as follows: Lynchburg, Ridgeville, Marble 
Hill, Reed's Store, Tucker Creek, Wagoner's, Prosser's Store, Charity, County Line, 



MOORE COUNTY, 809 

Hurricane Church and Wm. B. Smith's mill. The districts were numbered in the order 
named, from one to eleven. The commissioners then ordered an election to be held on 
on Saturday, May 11. 1872, for the purpose of electing county officers. Accordingly elec- 
tions were held in each of the several districts, and the following officers duly elected: 
John A. Norman, sheriff; James W. Byrom, county court clerk; W. R. Waggoner, circuit 
court clerk; John A. Silvertooth, trustee; E. F. Brown, register; W. J. Taylor, tax collec- 
tor. Magistrates, J. D. Tolley, J. W. Martin, B. F. Womach, A. J. Simpson, G. W. By- 
rom, C. H. Bean, A. C. Cobble, J. E. Spencer, R. L. Gillespie, Wm. Copeland. John 
Swinney, John L. Ashby, T. G. Miller, D. J. Noblet, A. M. Prosser, J. A. Frosser. L. 
Leftwich, Samuel Bobo, T. J. Baxter, J. L. Holt, J. M. Byrom, J. W. Eggleston and J. 
J. Burt. These magistrates elect assembled on the third day of June, 1873, at the house 
of Tolley & Eaton in Lynchburg, and organized and held the first county court ever 
held in the county, They organized the court by electing A. J. Simpson, chaiman, and 
John D. Tolley & D. J. Nobblett, associates. At this term the court ordered an elec- 
tion to be held in the several districts of the county on the first Saturday of July, 1872, to 
determine where the people desired to have the county seat located. The elections were 
accordingly held, and out of 499 votes cast, 465 were in favor of Lynchburg as the county 
seat. 

The court then appointed a committee of one from each district to select suitable 
grounds for a jail and jailer's house, and a public square for a court house site. This com- 
mittee .selected a plat of ground 300 feet square on Mechanic Street for a public square, 
and a tract of one acre belonging to E. Y. Salmon, and lying across the creek, between the 
town and Parks' tan-yard. The Public Square was located by the court, as reported, and 
title acquired thereto by donation from the owners. The tract for the jail was purchased 
of Dr. Salmon, for $100. Before building the jail, the court decided that this lot was not 
suitable and convenient, and thereupon sold it at public outcry for $10, and at tlie Au- 
gust term, 1875, the court bought the present jail lot of Col. J. M. Hughes for $200. A 
committee, consisting of M. L. McDowell, A. C. Cobble, J. E. Spencer, B. F. Womack and 
J. L. Holt, was then appointed to let the contract for the building of a jail and jailer's 
house. The contract was awarded June 7, 1875, to Bobo & Stegall for $2,550, the build- 
ing to be completed by the first Monday in October of the same year. At the January 
term, 1876, of the county court, the committee reported that the jail and jailer's house had 
l)een completed according to the contract. It was accepted and the committee discharged. 
The jail has two cells, 8x8 feet, made of heavy oak timber, and large nails driven in 
almost every square inch. It is a very safe jail. The house is in the shape of an L, the 
front consisting of two nice rooms for jailer's residence. It is situated on the lot bought 
of Col. Hughes, nearly opposite the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a very neat and 
comfortable building. 

On the 8th of January, 1884, the county court appointed a committee to select 
and secure a new location for a public square. And in July of the same year the commit- 
tee reported that they had deeded the square on Mechanic Street back to its former own- 
ers, and secured title to the Public Square where the court house now stands. Their action 
was approved, and a building committee, consisting of R. B. Parks, John E. Bobo and 
W. D. L. Record, was then appointed, with instructions for the construction of a court 
house. This committee awarded the contract to S. L. P. Garrett. And at the April term, 
1885, they reported that the house was completed according to contract, and that they had 
paid the contractor $200 for extra work over and above the original contract, thus making 
the total cost of the court house $6,875. The building was accepted by the court and the 
committee discharged. The court [house is a very substantial two-story brick structure, 
40x60 feet, with the county offices on the first fioor, and the court rooms on the second. 
The people of the county are very fortunate in having good and sufficient county build- 
ings. The county has no asylum for the poor. The latter are provided for by appropria- 
tions from the public treasury, by authority of the county court. 

The sessions of the courts were first held in Tolley & Eaton's Hall; then the county 



810 HISTOEY or TENNESSEE. 

bought the Christian Church, which stood on Main Street, on the east side of the Public 
Square. The courts were held in this church building until it burned down in December, 
1883, after which the sessions were held in the schoolhouse on Mechanic Street until the 
court house was completed. The following is a list of the county officers and "the time 
served by each: 

County court clerks — James W. Byrom, the present incumbent, was elected at the first 
election, which was in 1872, and has been re-elected and held the oflBce continuously ever 
since. This shows the high estimation in which he is held by the people. Circuit court clerks 
— W. R. Waggoner, 1872-74; Dr. W. D. Frost, 1874-78; J. A. Norman, 1878 to June, 1880, 
when he died; then B. H. Berry was appointed lo fill vacancy. H. H. Neece, 1880 to 
present time. Sheriffs— J. A. Norman, 1872-78; H. S. Hudson, 1878-80; A. J.Travis, 
1880-82; J. S. Hobbs, present incumbent, 1882. Registers— E. F. Brown, 1873-74; M. G. 
Osborn, 1874-82; J. R. Brown, present incumbent, 1882. Tax collectors— W. J. Taylor, 
1872-74'; E. F. Brown, 1874-76; J. A. Silvertooth (the trustee), 1876-82; B. E. Spencer 
(trustee), 1882. Trustees— J. A. Silvertooth, 1872-82; B. E. Spencer, the present incum- 
bent, 1882. Clerk and master— Dr. E. Y. Salmon, 1872-80; W. A. Frost, 1880-84; R. B. 

Park's, present incumbent, 1884 to . Coroner— R. C. Hall, 1872-73; H. B. Morgan,' 

present incumbent, 1873 to • 

The following table shows the amount of taxes charged on the tax duplicates for 
the several years since the organization of the county, for county purposes, and the total 
amount charged for all purposes: 



County. I Total. 



$3,863 29$ 7,720 59 
5,022 17. 13,307 68 



2,953 20i 11,205 81 

3,091 55 10,852 87 

1,984 36: 8,962 91 

2,158 48 6.410 10 

2,358 97! 6,057 07 

2,215 88 5,940 79 

2,461 18 6,131 12 

2,864 03; 8,088 53 

2,418 30 6,684 89 

2,938 35I 8,654 74 



1872.... 

1873 

1874 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 

1882 

I QQQ - 

\ool 1 3,458 63{ 9,393 21 

Jgss;!!.";;;;;!!.!!!!! i 3,946 821 8,685 02 

The indebtedness of the county for current expenses is about $1,000, and for balance 
due for the court house $1,431. The levy on the duplicate of 1886 will be about sufficient 
to liquidate the latter, thus leaving the county in a very good financial condition. 

Prior to the year 1882 the general elections in the territory composing the county, for 
State and National purposes, were controlled by the old counties, the same as though Moore 
County had never been organized. In 1882, after the census of 1880 had been published, 
and Moore County was recognized in redistricting the State, it held its first election for 
officers of the Legislature. At the presidential election in. 1884, the vote in the county 
stood as follows: For Cleveland. 906; Blaine, 53; St. John, 5; Butler, 5. 

According to the census of 1880 Moore County contained the following number of in- 
habitants: White males, 2,766; white females, 2,691; colored males, 376; colored females, 
355. Total white. 5,457; total colored, 731. Grand total, 6,188. 

The county court is composed of the several civil magistrates of the several civil dis- 
tricts of the county, and is presided over by one of their number, whom they elect as a 
chairman. The county court clerk and the sheriff are officers of this court. The court 
meets in quarterly sessions the first Mondays of January, April, July and October. 
Quorum courts convene on the first Mondays of each month. For the organization of this 
court and a sketch of its proceedings, the reader is referred to the organization of the 
county, in which its history is interwoven. 



MOORE COUNTY. 811 

The first term of the circuit court was held in the room used for court purposes in 
Lynchburg, beginning on the third Monday of June, 1872, the time fixed by act of tiie 
General Assembly of the State. W. P. Hickerson, judge in tlie Sixth Judicial District, 
of which Moore County forms a part, presided. The court was opened by proclamation 
made by J. A. Norman, sheriff. Whereupon W. R. Waggoner, clerk-elect, produced to 
the court his certificate of election and filed his bonds as required by law, and was duly 
sworn into office. J. W. Byrom, clerk of the county court, then officially certified the 
names of twenty-four "householders and freeholders" of the county, appointed by said 
county court at its June term, 1873, out of which the circuit court should select a grand 
jury. And out of the number so certified the following named persons were selected as 
the first grand jury of Moore County, viz.: J. T. Motlow, J. H. Taylor, B. F. Womach, 
Jacob Tipps, J. E. Spencer, J. W. Franklin, Wm. Tolley, J. L. Ashby, A. M. Prosser, P. 
G. Prosser, J. M. Byrom, J. J. Burt and J. F. Leach. Wm. Tolley was made foreman. 
H. S. Hudson and Wm. Cooper were appointed constables to wait upon the court. W. 
H. Allen and E. S. N. Bobo each presented his license as an attorney at law, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar. The first cause of action in this court was Pique, Manier and Hall vs. 
John Read, to recover a judgment of $249.15 rendered by F. P. Fulton, a justice of the 
peace. The case was tried, and the court decreed that the land of the defendant be sold 
to satisfy the said judgment and costs. The grand jury, after having retired to inquire 
into "indictable offenses," etc., returned into court an indictment against Jeff Berry 
(colored) for assault, aud four presentments against other offenders, to wit, Calvin Shof- 
ner. .James Simpson, Daniel Downing and Hiles Blythe, for "carrying pistols." And thus 
ended the business of the first term of the circuit court. 

At the next term, the court ordered that the first Monday of each term be fixed "as 
State's day for the county.' Jeff Berry, colored, was then tried for assault by the first petit 
jury of "good and lawful men of the county," viz.: J. D. Smith, Wm. Richardson, W. A. 
Hobbs, A. C. Cobble, N. Boone, K. J. Bobo, E. J. Chambers, John N. Morehead, Wm. 
Copeland, Wm. Waller, Henderson Gilbert, and Walter Holt. The defendant was found 
guilty, and fined |5 and costs. 

At this term, T. P. Flack, who professed to be an attorney at law, was arraigned for 
larceny. The attorney-general, being related to him, declined to prosecute, whereupon 
the court appointed Hon. W. D. L. Record attorney-general ;3?'o tern, to prosecute the de- 
fendant. Wm. Wricketts was then arraigned aud tried for "horse stealing and larceny." 
He was found guilty, and was sentenced to jail and penitentiary for five years. At the 
February term, 1873, of this court, the grand jury found a true bill against Wesley Speck 
for the murder of John Jean. The defendant was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to 
twenty years in the penitentiary. An appeal was taken to the supreme court, where the 
sentence was affirmed. After serving for a few years the defendant was released by ex- 
ecutive clemency. At the February term, 1885, Jordan Whitaker, colored, was tried for 
the murder of John Kiser, colored. The jury found the prisoner "guilty of murder in the 
first degree, with mitigating circumstances," and fixed his penalty at imprisonment in the 
penitentiary for life. Whereupon the attorney-general, A. B. Woodard, and Judge Will- 
iams joined in suggesting to the governor that sentence ought to be commuted to twenty 
years instead of for life. Also at this term James Silvertooth, marshal of the town of 
Lynchburg, was indicted for the murder of Bird Millsap. He asked for and obtained a 
change of venue to the Lincoln County Circuit Court, where he was tried and acquitted, 
on the ground that he committed the act in self defense. These are the principal criminal 
cases that have been brought in this court. 

In the year 1875 there were 37 prosecutions for carrying pistols, 8 for assault and 
battery, and 7 for disturbing public meetings. In 1885, ten years later, there were 21 
prosecutions for carrying pistols, 5 for assault and battery, and 3 for disturbing pub- 
lic meetings; thus showing that crime is on the decrease. Judge W. P. Hickerson pre- 
sided over this court, either in person or by proxy, from its organization up to and includ- 
ing its October term, 1^7, and Judge J. J. Williams, the present incumbent, has presided 
over it since. * 



812 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

The first term of the chancery court was held in the court room at Lynchburg, begin- 
ning on the fourth Monday of July, 1872, with Hon. A. S. Marks, chancellor, presiding. 
The court was opened in due form by Sheriff John A. Norman. Dr. E. Y. Salmon was 
appointed clerk and master, and filed his bond, to " safely keep the records of said office 
and faithfully discharge the duties thereof," and took the oath of ofl^ce. He also filed a 
bond to faithfully collect and account for fines, taxes, etc., and another as special commis- 
sioner and receiver. There being no other business the court adjourned to "term in 
course." 

At the next term of this court William Thomison and others filed a petition for a 
turnpike road from Lynchurg to Prosser and Sullivan's store, in Moore County, a distance 
of about six miles. A number of the petitioners were then named and appointed a body 
politic and corporate, by name of The Lynchburg & West Mulberry Turnpike Com-' 
pany. The capital stock was divided into shares of $95 each. At this term, December, 
1872, the charter of the town of Lynchburg was amended so as to enlarge its powers and 
immunities. The first case brought in this court was "Lewis Newsonvs. Mollie Neece 
and others." At the October term, 1873, E. S. N. Bobo, the county superintendent filed 
his report of the formation of school districts for Moore County, numbering them from 
one to eleven; and tlie court declared each one an incorporated town, with all the privi- 
lege conferred thereupon by law. At the June term, 1877, the members of the bar and 
visiting attorneys held a meeting, and passed resolutions of condolence upon the death of 
Hon. Abe Frizzell, a member of the Moore County bar, who died June 17, 1877. The 
first resolution reads as follows: "That in the death of Abe Frizzell this bar and com- 
munity have lost a member, who in generosity of nature, kindness of heart, and charitable 
conduct was without an equal, and one who loved his neighbor better than himself. That 
while he had faults, they were so far outweighed by his many distinguished virtues,"that the 
first are lost in the splendor of the last." Judge Marks served as chancellor of this court 
from its organization to the close of the June term, 1878. And from time to the close of the 
October term, 1883, Judge J. W. Burton served as chancellor. And since then Hon. E. D. 
Hancock, the present chancellor has officiated. R. B. Parks, the present obliging clerk 
and master was appointed in 1884. 

Hon. Abe Frizzell was a member of the bar from the organization of the county until 
his death, in 1877. He was an able lawyer and fine business man. The following attor- 
neys were all members of the bar at the organizatfon of the county: W. A. Cole, a young 
and studious lawyer, who moved to Alabama some years ago; E. S. N. Bobo, who prac- 
ticed until'lSSO, and then went into other business; W. H. Allen, who practiced only a 
short time; James M. Travis, who practiced a few years, and J. T. Galbreth, likewise; R. 
A. Parks, who now edits and pviblishes the Lynchburg Falcon, joined the bar soon after 
its organization, and has practiced ever since; W. D. L. Record joined the bar at its in 
ception, and has been a constant practitioner ever since; ,R. E. L. Montcastle, a young 
and energetic attorney, joined the bar in 1885. The latter three are now the only resident 
attorneys. 

The citizens of the territory composing Moore County have contributed their full 
share of soldiers to fight the battles of their country. A few of the early settlers were 
survivors of the war of the Revolution, and some of them served in the struggle of 1812, 
but it is impossible now to obtain an account of their names and services. A few surviv- 
ors of the Mexican and Florida wars still reside within the countj\ Public excitement ran 
very high here at the outbreak of the late civil war. Public meetings were held at Lynch- 
burg, and at other points throughout the county, and were addressed by Hon. Peter 
Turney and others, and the people were almost unanimously in favor of a Southern Con- 
federacy. 

The first company to enter the service was Company E, of the First Tennessee Con- 
federate Infantry. This company was raised at Lynchburg in March, 1861, and joined its 
regiment at Winchester in the next month. The following is a list of the officers and pri- 
vates who were mustered into the service, together with the recruits: Officers — Dr. E. 



MOOKE COUNTY. 813 

Y. Salmon, captain; T. H. Mann, first lieutenant; C. W. Lucas, second lieutenant; W. F. 
Taylor, third lieutenant; W. P. Tolley, first sergeant; J. P. Edde, second sergeant; T. H. 
Parks, third sergeant; J. N. Ta.ylor, fourth sergeant; M. C. Parks, first corporal; J. H. 
Silvertooth, second corporal; A. W. Womack, third corporal; F. W. Motlow, fourth cor- 
poral; W. B. Taylor, ensign. Killed— Lieut. T. H. Mann, Sergt. J. P. Edde, Corp. J. H. 
Silvertooth, and Privates William T. K. Green, B. W. Shaw, B. R. Bobo, T. E. Brown, 
J. J. Lucas, J. W. Stockstill, John McCulley, W. M. Jones,|W. A. Dillingham, J. F. Met- 
calf, J. T Hunter, C. M. Wade, William F. Morris, F. G. Motlow. Clay Hoskins and J. S. 
Green. Wounded— Lieut. W. F. Taylor, Sergt. W. P. Tolley, Sergt. J. N. Taylor and 
Privates M. L. Parks, A. F. Eaton, B. H. Berry, R. H. Crawford, O. J. Bailey, S. W. Edens, 
W. H. Hutchenson. George Jones, T. C. Spencer, T. D. Gregory, B. A. W. 1;. Norton, J. 
H. Brandon, M. A. L. Enochs, John Gray, and Alex. Bailey. Ensign W. B. Taylor and 
Private M. V. Hawkins each lost an arm, and Private Joseph S. Hobbs lost a leg. Died — 
Corp. A. W. Womack, Privates John W. Brown, W. C. Kirtland, W. H. Waggoner, David 
Roberson, W. A. Strawn, J. C. C. Felps, John R. Gates, F. D. Bedford, J. C. Jenkins, 
William F. Scivally, John D. Hinkle, F. A. Thurman, and 011a Overby. 

The following are those who passed through the war without being wounded: Capt. 
E. Y. Salmon, Lieuts. C. W. Lucas, and A. F. Eaton, Sergt. T. H. Parks, Corp. M. C. 
Parks, Corp. F. W. Motlow, T. J. Allison, M. L. Parks, Jr., T. J. Eaton, C. D. Williams, 
Z. Motlow, J. K. Bobo, Anderson Edens, A. H. Parks, S. E. H. Dance, C. W. Felps, T. 
A. Chapman, J. M. Rhoton, F. F. Brown, W. C. Jones, J.R. Strawn, J. S. Hubbard, W. 
M. Miles, W. A. Parks, J. W. Robinson, J. P. Rives, J. S. Kirtland, Joseph Miles, J. R. 
Mullins, Jacob Mullins, Williiam M. Cowan, M. R. Cobbs, J. M. Shaw, W. M. Pearce, S. 
C. Tucker, James H. Holman, W. B. Daniel, F. Motlow, William M. Banks, Frank 
Edens, Sanford Stewart. 

Officers after reorganization were W. P. Tolley, captain; T. H. Mann, first lieutenant; O. 
J. Bailey, second lieutenant; A. F. Eaton, third lieutenant. Capt. Tolley was wounded 
and retired, and Lieut. Mann was promoted to the captaincy, and at his death Lieut. Bai- 
ley was promoted to the captaincy and held it to the close of the war. Lieut. Lucas re- 
signed during the first year of the war, and his place was filled by the election of Private 
A. H. Parks. 

Company D, First Tennessee, Confederate States Army, was organized at Ridgeville 
in March, 1861, and joined its regiment at Winchester the next month. Its captain, N. 
L. Simpson, died during the war, and John Bevel then became captain. First lieutenant, 

Await; lieutenants, William Davis, Thomas Raggett, Nat Norvell; Tuck Hill, 

Thomas Davis, Allen Pogue, Jacob Mitchell, Ben George, Henry Driver, Giles Powers and 
Thomas Taylor were among the killed in the service. Capt. John Bevel, Lieut. H. J. 
Byrom, Alex Reedy, John Clark, were among the wounded. J. W. Byrom lost left hand. 
R. H. Anthony, William Lewis and Isaac Mitchell each lost a leg. Thomas Reedy, John 

Clark, wounded; Tribble, OUa Overby and Ezekiel Shasteen died in the service. 

Lieuts. John Tribble and Monroe Farris, and Privates Thomas Rogers, James Allen, 
Thomas Anderson, Tobe Anderson, Milt. Byrom, James Bailey, R. S. Anthony, Rev. Will- 
iam Anthony, chaplain of the regiment, L. A. Rogers, Larkin Rogers, Benjamin Shasteen, 
H. W. Farris, Joseph Pogue, George Sanders, William Fanning, Wes. Fanning, Watch 
Cook, William Jones, Dick Jones, James A. Sanders, A. A. Davis, E. J. Chambers, Henry 
McGivens, G. Raney, W. Weaver, George Weaver, Ben Hutton, James Hutton, E. Brown, 

Toliver Hendricks, John Hendricks, Turner Childs, Dr. Childs, R. A. Overby, H. 

C. Bolen, Joseph Bolin, Smith, John McKinzie, John Strong, John Cobble, William 

and Robert Majors, H. Pilot and Gabriel Lewis — all are supposed to have served to the close 
of the war. The information concerning this company were given by county court clerk, 
J. W. Byrom, who gave it to the best of his recollection. 

Company H, Eighth Tennessee Confederate States Army, was raised by Capt. 
William L. Moore from this and adjoining counties, and consisted of 104 men. When 
the regiment was organized Capt. Moore was elected lieutenant-colonel, and 



814 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

William J. Thrash, was made captain of the company. The company was organized 
with its regiment at Camp Trousdale, in Sumner County, May 29, 1861. The fol- 
lowing named persons enlisted from what is now Moore County: Benjamin Morgan, 
Frank Johnson, Lieut. J. G. Call, W. L. Davidson, W. H. Martin, Joseph Stacy, P. Y. 
Mitchell, Alexander Brady and John Reese, all of whom were killed in the service. And 
L. A. Farrer, W. J. Taylor, Nat. S. Forrester, Lieut. John Sullivan, Berry Leftwich, 
Brittain Carragan, P. A. Raby, Lieut. John D. Tolley, H. L. W. Boon, Alex. Crane, 
Stephen Johnson, M. M. Dean, Wilson Call and John Raby, all of whom were wounded. 
And James and Rufus Morehead. both of whom died in the service. The following are 
supposed to have served to the close of the war: Albert H. Boon, Joseph Broughton, 
Wiley H. and John S. Carrigan, Jas. H. C. Duff, John Eslick, Isaac V. Forrester, Enoch 
Glidewell, Geo. C. Logan, H. D. Lipscomb, W. M. Montgomery, Geo. F. Miller, E. M. 
Ousley, B. H. Rives, John C. Raney, John B. and Robt. F. Steagall, John B. Thomasson, 
Daniel J., George A., Geo. W., Sr., Geo. W., Jr., Felix M. Daniel N., George H., Felix, 
Henry A., and Riky Waggoner, Edward D. and James W. Whitman, Wm. A. Woodard, 
Elijah W. Yates, Benj. Broughton, Green B. Ashby, W. N. Bonner, Isaac Evans,' W. R. 
Evans, Geo. W. Gattis, Sr., J. H. Leftwich, Jacob C. Morgan, Jas.PF. Massey, J. F. M. 
Mills, Ellis MUls, F. M. Moyers, Jas. W. Mitchell, Jas. Marr, Jas. M. Major, Wm. Norvall, 
John Owens, E. B. Raby, Jos. M. Sebastian, Stephen P. Wiles», John C. Waid, W. H. 
Webb. 

Company C, Fourth Confederate Infantry, was raised by Capt. J. W. Smith, with 
headquarters at Ridgeville, and consisted of over 100 men. It joined its regiment at 
Knoxville in July, 1861. It was raised wholly within the territory now belonging to 
Moore County. Capt. Smith has kindly furnished us the following list of names of mem- 
bers composing his company: James Osborn, James Cobble, Henry Farrar, James Jack- 
son, John Graves, John Steagall, T. W. Steagall, George Shasteen, Alfred Travis, Joseph 
Rose, Thomas Pearson, T. Roberson, M. J. Brown, Robert Brown and Tom Shasteen — all 
of whom were killed in the service. And Marion Bedford, M. A. and W. B. Couser._g^ 
Dillingham, John Eaton, Robert Farmer, James Gore, H. Gore, John Byrom, George 
Damron, H. Nelson, Samuel Rolan, Thomas Raney, H. Roseuberger, J. F. Mitchell. J. 
Hammontree and Polk Nix — all of whom were wounded. And William Brannon, J. A. 
Cobb, Enoch Garner, Davis Marshall, Javan Nelson, John Buchanan, P. Osborn, William 
Runnells, Allen Revis. A. Shasteen, Ed. Rose, C. L. Parks and N. M. Ivey — all of whom 
died in the service. A. Cummins. James Osborn and James Burt were discharged on 
account of disability. And Capt. J. W. Smith, Lieuts. G. W. Byron, D. P. Muse and R. 
Simpson, and Sergt. S. J. Shasteen and the following non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates: 8. W. Anderson, D. G. Branch, George and Samuel Brown, W. M. Browning, D. 
R. Bedford, J. R. Bolin. A. W. and E. A. Cobble, E. Bolin, J. P. Damron, D. Ellis, 
William Evans, Henry Fullmore, J. C. Gobble, Stephen Hanes, Doll Byrom, Henry Miles, 
Isaac Dannel, Henry Ivey, Tom Graves, Tom Muse, William Curie, Sam Ray, M. Run- 
nells, Doe Runnells, William Shasteen, Elijah and Jacob Shasteen, H. and R. Smith, 
Ralph Gray, R. Riddle, J. Pardon, Dan Baker, Levi Lawson, Stephen and John Pilant, 
Sam Parks, Henry Bevell, J. Y. Price, J. Hendricks, James and William Travis, A. J. 
Parks, J. J., William and M. and C. Tankesley, W. W. and Alfred Burt, E. Brown, Jack 
Ivey, James Hudgens, James Rodgers, William Smith, George Tipps, Joe Ford, H. M. 
Bean, M. Holt, N. Thompson, W. M. Tucker, J. Timms and J. R. Parks— all served to 
the close of the war. 

Company G, Forty-first Tennessee Confederate Infantry, was raised in the vicinity 
of Marble Hill by C. H. Bean, who was its original captain. Sergt. J. M. Waggoner has 
kindly furnished us the following roll of officers and men: Captain, W. E. Murrel; 
lieutenants, W. N. Taylor, G. S. Tipps (killed) and H. H. Johnson; sergeants, J. J. 
Matlock, A. Smith, G. Hall and J. M. Waggoner; corporals, G. W. Davis, R. C. Hinds, 
J. Hill, W. H. Noah and G. W. Reneger. Privates, Conner Await, E. M. Bean, J. W. 
Bowling, J. B. Benson, Wm. and Abe BrazzeUon, Nick Copeland, Fletch Church, James 



MOOEE COUNTY. 815 

Cooper. H. Church, J^sse and James Ethridge, W. C. Grant, T. H. Hall, Zib Frily, Rich 
Groves, Richard Hill, Jack Hall, J. F. Hall, I. H. Hall, T. J. Hise, J. K. Higgenbotham, 
J. H. Higgenbotham. S. M. Lewis, Samuel Morris, J. M. Mayes, George McClure (killed), 
Z. R. Murrel. F. M. McCoy, John Morris, J. M. McKinzie, P. J. Noah, M. Powers, H. G. 
Renegar, W. C. Roach, G. R. Scivalley, J. V. Scivalley, G. W. Syler, J. N. Scivalley. S- 
W. Smith, Kit Smith, Pen Sandredg, John Tipps, J. F. Tipps, J. C. Tipps, W. J. Tipps, 
C. M. Taylor, J.H. Vanzant,Izaac Vanzant,W. M. Wiseman, R. C. Wiseman. J. T. Wise- 
man (killed), M. G. Waggoner, G. W. Wicker, J. M. Woods, W. D. Young, M. V. Wise- 
man. 

Company A, Forty-first Tennessee Confederate Infantry, Capt. James, was par- 
tially raised in the vicinity of Charity, and the following is a list of names of those 
who joined it from the territory now belonging to Moore County. Lieut. H. B. 
Morgan, who lost his left arm at the battle of Franklin, H. H. Neecelost right arm at At- 
lanta. Lieutenant L. Lcftwich, Henry Davidson, J. C. Davidson killed at Franklin. 
Mart Collier, J. R., T. M. and Robt. Rees, J. B. Rainey, M. A. Prosser, Wash Cox, Joseph 
Brock. Nat and M. B. Rees, and Thos. Albright. 

The following named persons joined Forrest's escort, which organized at Shelbyville 
in the fall of 1862, and joined the army at Murfreesboro after its return from Kentucky: 
F. G. Motley, S. J. Green and W. T. K. Green, killed in the service; W. F. Taylor, re- 
ceived seven wounds; Lieut. John Eaton and Privates J. N. Taylor, T. J. Eaton, D. R. 
Bedford, D. H. Call, E. Clark, T. M. Dance, M. A. L. Enochs, C.'w. Lucas, and Orderly- 
Sergt. M. L. Parks were among those who served to the end of the war without being 
wounded. This command served under Gen. Forrest during the war, and surrendered 
May 10, 1865, at Gainesville, Ala. 

In 1862 Samuel Dillingham, of Confederate fame, while at Cumberland Gap visited a 

distillery, and filfed a canteen with "Mountain Dew." He corked it tight, and sent it 
home, and afterward declared that when the next Democratic President was elected he 
intended to uncork it. Accordingly, in May, 1886, he turned it over to a select committee, 
consisting of H. B. Morgan, J. Y. Price and W. W. Holt; and on Saturday, June 13. 
following, due notice having been given, the committee, after appropriate remarks had 
been made by H. B. Morgan, uncorked the canteen in presence of a large audience in the 
court house. Drs. Dancer and Taj'lor inspected the contents, and pronounced it old 
bourbon, of the genuine article. 

The people of the territory composing (his county suffered great loss during the late 
civil war, and lived in constant fear of death from marauding parties and ^jushwhack- 
ers. Being a rich agricultural district it was constantly preyed upon by foraging parties 
sent out from the armies stationed at these points. It is hardly probable that any county 
in the State of Tennessee furnished more, if as many, soldiers in the late civil war as did 
Moore County, or rather the territory now composing it, in proportion to its population. 

Thomas Roundtree, who lived in the log house on the lot where Dr. E. Y. Salmou 
now resides, was the original proprietor of the lands on which Lynchburg is located. He 
laid out the town about the year 1818, and, as the famous beech tree, used as a lynching 
post, where early offenders were pimished, stood over the spring near his house, he very 
a]ipropriately named the town Lynchburg. ^Lots were laid out and numbered on the 
street south of the court house, and sold at public sale; but, no records having been pre- 
served, it is impossible to give date of sale and names of purchasers. For the early set- 
tlement of the town and its first business interest, the reader is referred to "early settle- 
ments." It being a rural town, without an outlet for its commerce, its growth has beea 
generally slow. Lynchburg was incorjiorated by an act of the General Assembly of the 
State, at its session in 1841-42. The charter was amended in 1872, by the Chancery Court 
of Moore County, in conformity with an act of 1870-71, Chapter 54, Section 1, and follow 
ing. It was so amended as to confer all the rights and privileges, powers and immuni- 
ties conferred upon municipal corporations, from Sections 1358 to 1399 inclusive, of 
Thomson and Steger's Code. The early ordinances and record of proceedings of the mu 



816 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

nicipal authorities were destroyed in the fire of 1883. The revised ordinances, now in 
force, were adopted January 12, 1885, and published in the Falcon of January 16, 1885. 
"iVithin a few years, about the time of the organization of Moore County, the population 
of Lynchburj^ more than doubled. The fact of its becoming a county seat gave it an im- 
petus to improve. In 1874 it contained five dry goods houses, whose signs read Parks, 
Eaton & Co., Hiles & Alexander, J. L. Bryant & Co., D. B. Holt, M. N. Moore & Co.; 
one drug store, Salmon & Frost; three drinking saloons; two good flouring-mills, under 
the firm names of Hiles & Berry, Womack, Dance & Co. ; two planing-mills, Spencer & 
Co. and Bobo & Steagall; one tannery, by M. L. Parks; the boot and shoe shop ©f M. T. 
Allen; the saddle and harness factory of Stafford & Cummins; one cooper-shop, by Col- 
sher Bros.; a tin-shop; two wagon-shops, and three blacksmith-shops. 

In December, 1883, a fire broke out, which consumed a large portion of the town, in- 
cluding the old Christian Church, then owned and used by the county as a court house. 
The town has been rebuilt and the business re-established. In 1867 Womack, Dance & 
Co. erected a cotton-mill with a capacity of over 300 spindles. It required about a 
dozen hands to run it, and did a flourishing business until 1870, when it burned down. 
Then in 1871 the flouring mills now owned by Dance & Waggoner were erected on the 
same site. 

Dr. S. E. H. Dance commenced the practice of medicine here in 1856, and still con- 
tinues. And Dr. E. Y. Salmon, whose biography appears elsewhere- in this work, began 
practicing here in 1857. Dr. J. N. Taylor began the practice in April, 1872, and is still 
in practice. 

The societies at present are Lincoln Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F., which has a 
charter dated May 14, 1849. Jas. McBride, W. C. Byron, Thos. J. Lindley, J. A. Silver- 
tooth and W. F. Smith, were the members named in the charter. The lodge has a mem- 
bership of thirty-five, and is in a flourishing condition. 

Lynchburg Lodge, No. 318, F. & A. M., has a charter dated December 5, 1866. The 
officers named in the charter are J. T. Motlow, W. M.; E. Y. Salmon, S. W. ; and D. L. 
Enochs, J. W. There are about twenty-five members belonging to the lodge at the present 
writing, "who dwell together in peace and harmony." 

The first newspaper published in the county was the Moore County Pioneer. 
It was established at Lynchburg in 1872 by James R. Russ, who continued its 
publication until near the close of 1874, when it suspended. The Lynchburg Sentinel, 
W. W. Gordon, editor, was established in April, 1874, the first number being issued on 
the third day of that month. Mr. Gordon continued to edit and publish the paper until 
December, 1878, when he sold it to Mr. W. A. Frost, who continued its publication until 
it was burned out in the great fire of 1883. 

The first number of the Lynchburg Falcon, R. A. Parks, editor and proprietor, was 
published February 15, 1884. It is a good county paper, well patronized, and satisfied the 
demands of the people. The press of Moore County has been ably edited, and has 
always been, as it now is. Democratic in politics. 

Dr. J. N. Taylor, the present able and obliging postmaster in Lynchburg, has the honor 
of being the first postmaster appointed under the new administration by Postmaster-Gen- 
eral Vilas. His commission dates early in April, 1885. At present writing (June, 1886) 
Lynchburg contains the following business houses: J. L. Bryant & Co., general store and 
millinery store— the latter superintended by Mrs. M. J. Morgan; Dr. S. E. H. Dance & 
Son, drug-store; Parks & Evans, saloon; Billingsley & Bailey, general store; Parks, 
■Taylor & Co., general store; Waggoner & Roughton, general store; ToUey & Eaton, 
■wholesale liquor dealers, warehouse; Tolley & Bedford, pork packers; McDowell & Son, 
undertakers; M. F. McGregor, carriage manufacturer; Warren & Co., blacksmith-shop; J. 
H.Warren, wagon-maker; J. W. Stafford, saddles and harness; W. J. Walker, and George 
Daniel, colored boot and shoe shops; Wash. Chrisman, colored, barber-shop; Dance & 
Waggoner, merchant mills; Jack Daniels, distillery; G. G. Mitchell, tannery; Colsher Bros., 
cooper-shop; Allison & Moore, first-class livery, sale and feed stable. The town has two good 



MOORE COUNTY. 817 

hotels, one conducted by Mrs. McClellan and the other bj' Mrs. Salmon. There are two good 
schools and five churches — one Primitive Baptist, one Methodist Episcopal South, one 
Christian, and two colored churches, one Methodist and the other Christian. The popula- 
tion is about 350. The municipal officers are R. A. Parks, mayor; J. T. Bickley, recorder; 
M. L. Parks, treasurer; A. R. Hinkle, T. F. Roughton, S. M. Alexander, W. H. Colsher, 
aldermen; H. R. Blythe, town marshal. 

The first house in Marble Hill was built by Allen Johnson, about 1835. It stood alone 
about ten years, antl has been occupied, in order of time, by Allen Johnson, John J. Angel, 
Dr. Thomison, Mrs. Cole and Jacob Tipps, the present occupant. The first business house 
was built by Allen Johnson about 1844. About 1855 three other business houses, general 
stores, were erected by Robert Wiseman and John Whitfield, Wm. Whitfield and Isaac 
Parks. Also, there were erected two saddlery-shops, two shoe-shops, two blacksmith-shops 
— one of the latter was run by Thomas & John Graves, the other by "Pink" Cole. Over 
a dozen dwelling houses were built about the same time (1855). R. Richardson & Co. 
have erected the only business house since the war. There are two churches, one large 
schoolhouse, two doctors, Drs. Ferass and Tripp. The town was nearly destroyed during 
the war. County Line contains one distillery (ToUey & Eaton's), one school, two 
churches, two general stores, a blacksmith-shop and postoffice. Ridgeville contains one 
general store, one school, one church and a blacksmith-shop. Charity contains one gen- 
eral store, two churches and a blacksmith-shop. 

The early settlers of the territory composing Moore County had, in common with the 
early settlers of all new counties, very meager opportunities for educating their children. 
No free public schools were then established. The country was a vast wilderness, which had 
to be cleared and subdued in order to furnish homes and provisions for the pioneer, his 
wife and children. They had to labor hard, and had but little time which they could 
devote to the education of their children. There were a few school-teachers among the 
early settlers who taught private subscription schools. They would contract with the 
parents to teach their children a specified time for a stipulated price, usually agreeing to 
teach spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic — rarely anything more. Those who could 
afford it sent their children to these schools, and those who could not had to raise their 
children with scarcely anj^ educational advantages. 

As time rolled on, and the country developed, small academies were established at a 
few villages, and later a meager school system was inaugurated by the State, and finally 
the present system of free schools, which promises efliciency in the future, was formula- 
ted and established. Among the early teachers we may mention Andrew Walker. Will- 
iam Bedford, Mr. Bird and William Burdge. The two latter taught school on the old 
Taylor place, near the present residence of Uncle Jack Taylor. William Pegrara was a 
later teacher. The old school-masters kept order and enforced obedience with, the rod. 
Uncle Jack Taylor was a pupil of Andrew Walker, and the latter whipped twenty-four 
boys in his school in one day — all the boys except two. Uncle Jack being one of the latter. 

The Lynchburg Male and Female Institute was chartered by an act of the General 
Assembly of the State, passed January 24, 1870. J. T. S. Dance, D. B. Holt, Dr. S. E. H. 
Dance, M. N. Moore and J. A. Silvertooth were named therein as charter members of the 
association. This school opened soon after receiving its charter, and has always been well 
sustained by the people. It has had an average attendance of from 80 to 100 pupils, and 
has had as high as 150 at one time. It is deservedly popular, and is doing excellent edu- 
cational work. The school year consists of two sessions of five months each. It has gen- 
erally had two teachers; Prof. W. W. DafiEron is the present able principal. He is assisted 
by Miss Rosa Tolley, who is also a successful teacher. This institute is controlled by a 
board of trustees, the members of which are elected annually. The school building, which 
is large and commodious, is very pleasantly located on the east bank of the Mulberry, 
just above the town. This school is an outgrowth of the academy which was estab- 
lished there several years before the late civil war. The building was erec: el in 1856, and 
enlarged in about 1866. Prior to the war, and up to the date of its charter, as the " Lynch- 



818 HISTORY OF TENNESSEE. 

burg Male aud Female Institute," the school was conducted as an academy, audit is one 
of the few schools in this paat of the State that did not suspend its sessions during the war. 

The Lynchburg Normal School was chartered by an act of the General Assembly of 
the State. The charter is dated June 25, 1885, and the charter members are John D. 
Tollcy, J. T. Motlow, T. J. Eaton, Dr. J. N. Taylor, C. M. Wilson, Dr. S. E. H. Dance, 
Dr. E. Y. Salmon and M. N. Parks. 

This school opened on the lirst Monday of August, 1885, with about forty-five pupils. 
Prof. T. W. Estill is the principal, and Miss Lura L. Motlow, teacher of music. The school 
year consists of two sessions of five months each. The Lynchburg Normal School is cen- 
trally located, aud is the young rival of the Lynchburg Male and Female Institute, and is 
making laudable efforts to excel the latter, if possible, in educational work. It has been 
well sustained and patronized during its first year's work. Persons desiring to locate in a 
healthy, rural town, with first-class educational facilities, can not do better than to locate 
at Lynchburg. To show the present condition of the schools of Moore County, is appended 
the following items from the county superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 
1885: Scholastic population, between the ages of six and aud twenty-one years — white 
males, 976; white females, 962; colored males, 140; colored females, 104. Total, 2,182. 
Number of pupils enrolled during the year — white males, 710; white females, 627; colored 
males, 74; colored females, 65. Total, 1,476. Average daily attendance — white, 924; col- 
ored, 82. Total, 1,006. Number of schools in the county— white, 25; colored, 4. Total, 
29. School districts, 16; consolidated schools, 2. (These latter are the Lynchburg Male 
and Female Institute aud the Lynchburg Normal School.) Receipts of school funds for 
the year, $3,348.18; expenditures for the same time, |3,193.13. Number of teachers em- 
ployed—white males, 17; white females 14; colored males 5. Total, 36. 

Average compensation of teachers per month, $25.35. By reference to the foregoing 
it will be observed that only two-thirds of the scholastic population attend school, and less 
than one-half are in daily attendance. There are seven frame and twelve log schoolhouses 
in the county. 

The religious history of the terrilorj' composing this county began with its first set- 
tlers. Among them were pioneer ministers who began to labor in the "Lord's vineyard" 
when they struck the first blow to erect their log cabins in which to shelter their families. 
A Mr. Adams, Hardy Holman, John Whittaker, Levi Roberts and Aldrich Brown were 
ministers and Christian workers among the first settlers, who began their labors, both 
phjsical and spiritual, with full faith that God would reward their efforts. 

The Christian workers among the first settlers seem to have been Primitive Baptists 
and Episcopal Methodists. The former erected the first church within the territory com- 
posing this county in the year 1812 or 1813. It was a log structure located at the place 
known as Bethel, a short distance above Lynchburg. Anthony and Thomas Crawford, 
James Clark, Champion Bly, William Smith and his son, William, were members of this 
church. 

About 1814 a Methodist Episcopal Church, "Wesley Chapel," was built at "Enoch's 
Camp Ground." And soon thereafter the Allen Church was erected about one and a half 
miles below Lynchburg. The Baptists established a church at County Line about the year 
1820. and Brannon's Methodist Episcopal Chapel was erected about the same time, and 
later the Olive Branch Methodist Episcopal Church was erected. Revs. Joseph Smith, 
Lem Brannon and Stephen M. Dance were among the pioneer Methodist ministers. 

The Ebenezer Church near Marble Hill and the Union Church about five miles south- 
east of Lynchburg, both belonging to the Evangelical Lutherans, were organized about 
1826, and the church of the same denomination at Pleasant Hill was organized about 1845. 
Rev. William Jenkins was the principal worker in the organization of these churches. He 
was assisted in pastoral work by Revs. John and Benjamin Scivally and Richard Ste- 
phens, who were prominent among the pioneer' preachers. The Waggoners, Scivallys, 
Awaits and Beans were early members of these churches. Services are continued at these 
three churches, Rev. L. R. Massey, a resident minister, and others officiating. 



MOORE COUNTY. 819 

Before many church edifices were erected the people of all denominations met at the 
old camp grounds, near the sparkling waters of some noted spring, and there in the 
cool shade of the forest mingled their devotions to Him through whose care they had been 
enabled to endure and overcome the hardships of pioneer life. As the country developed 
and more churches were erected the camp-meetings were^finally discontinued. 

The first Christian Church in the county was built in Lynchburg in 1849 and dedicat- 
ed in June of that year by Elder S. E. Jones. This building stood'on the present Public 
Square and was purchased by the county soon after its organization, and used as a court- 
house until it burned down in 1883. The first regular ministers of this church were El- 
ders T. W. Brents and Calvin R. Darnall. Since the late civil war Elder Thomas J. Shaw 
has been and still continues the regular minister. The first members of this church were 
Thomas J. Shaw and wife, E. H. Womack and wife, Nancy C. and Eliza Womack, W. 
P. Bobo and wife, B. H. Berry, R. B. Parks, James McBride, T. E. Simpson and wife, 
and Sarah J. Simpson. 

The Christian Church at County Line was erected in 1877, and dedicated the same year 
by Elders Wm. H. Dixon and C. M. Crawford. The new Christian Church in Lynchburg 
was dedicated September 26, 1875, by Elder Thomas J. Shaw. The Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Lynchburg was established in 1872. The first trustees were J. T. S., J., W. M. 
and S. E. H. Dance, J. B. Price and B. M. Edens. The ministers have been Q. W. Ander- 
son, J. P. Funk, W. C. Collier, T. H. Hinson, G. W. Winn, J. W. Bell and the present 
pastor T. L. Darnall. When this church was established, it had a membership of about 
forty, which has increased to about ninety. The Methodist Episcopal Churches now in 
the county are — the one just described, one at Marble Hill, Branuon's Chapel on Coffee 
Creek, one at Pleasant Hill, Smith's Chapel, Friendship and Wiseman's Chapel. The 
Missionary Baptists have a church at Charity. The Baptists, one at County Line, one at 
Chestnut Ridge and the Hurricane Church. The Cumberland Presbyterians have one 
church, Moore's Chapel, recently established near Charity. The Christians have a church 
at County Line and one at Liberty Hill. ' The Primitive Baptist [Churches are Bethel, 
Harbor and Mulberry. There are three colored churches in the county, one Methodist 
Episcopal and two Christian. 



820 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 

OLIVER N. ALDEN was born August 16, 1817, in Yarmouth, Barnstable Co., Mass., 
being a son of Oliver and Lucy T. (Alden) Alden. The parents were direct lineal descend- 
ants of the sixth generation of John Alden, who was one of the pilgrim flock that immi- 
grated to America in 1620. The grandfather of our subject, Timothy Alden, was for sixty 
years pastor of one church in Yarmouth, Mass. The subject of this sketch moved with 
his parents from Massachusetts to Meadville, Penn., at the age of twelve; thence the 
family removed to Cleveland, Ohio. The father died in Ohio and the mother died in 
Wisconsin. Oliver N., in early life, learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
till 1849, when'*he went to Wisconsin and entered land near Oshkosh, where he success- 
fully remained in the pursuit of farming till 1873, when he removed to Neenah, Wis., and 
lived there until 1884, when he removed to Sherwood, Tenn., on account of his health. 
Here he engaged in merchandising in the spring of 1885, continuing but a short time. He 
now owns his Wisconsin farm of 120 acres. He was married, in 1841, to Miss Theodosia 
H. Morton, of Ohio, the fruits of this union being six children, three of whom are now 
living: Clinton H., in Papillion, Neb. ; Violet M., in Oshkosh, Wis. ; and Oliver N., in 
Orcas, Washington Territory. The mother of these children died in 1868, and December 
31, 1870, Mr. A. wedded Miss Caroline Alden, also a direct lineal descendant of John 
Alden. Mrs. Alden was born in Springfield, Mass., and her last residence in that State 
was in Boston. Her maternal ancestry were direct descendants of the Sears family that 
first appeared in England in 1016, in the person of Knight, who was engaged with Edward 
Ironsides against Canute. Through the intermarriages of this noted family, Mrs. Alden 
is a descendant of the house of Norfolk and of the royal houses of both England and 
France. 

JOHN F. ANDERSON, one of Franklin County's oldest citizens, was born February 
27, 1808 in Sullivan County, Tenn., being a son of Thomas and Mary (Davis) Anderson. 
The father was born in Abington, Va., and when a child immigrated to Sullivan County, 
Tenn., whence in 1812 he removed with his family to Bedford County, Tenn., and in 1819 
near where Sherwood now is. Here he entered twenty-two acres of land and engaged in 
the pursuit of farming and hunting. He removed to West Tennessee in 1834, and after- 
ward to Mississippi, where he died. The mother was born m Philadelphia. Her father 
was killed in the Revolution, and she then moved to Sullivan County, Tenn., with a step- 
father. She died in West Tennessee about 1835. The subject of this sketch was eleven 
years old, when coming to Franklin County. In 1828 he bought ten acres of land on 
credit, and began the pursuit of farming. He surmounted the primitive and numerous ob- 
stacles in his road and continued to farm until he amassed an immense estate; at one time 
owning 26,000 acres of land. He was active in securing the building of the Nashville, Chatta- 
nooga & St. Louis Railroad, and for many years was a director of that road. He now owns 
about 16,000 acres of land. He was married August 23, 1827, to Miss Mary Hendricks, a cous- 
in of the late Thomas A. Hendricks. The fruits of this union were twelve children, two of 
whom are now living— Cyrena (the wife of Larkin Willis) and Thomas B. The mother of 
these childreli died about 1854, and on August 23, 1855, Mr. Anderson was again married 
to Mrs. Mary Stephens, nee King, the results of this union being nine children, seven of 
whom are now living — George C, Luke W., Lou H. (wife of Dr. Jones Keith), Fay (wife 
of Henry M. Bunn), Virginia L., Charles W. and May B. Mrs. Anderson was the mother 
of three children by her former marriage. Two of them are living — William Stephens and 
Elizabeth (Stephffis), wife of James Brown. Mr. Anderson, wife, and several of the fam- 
ily are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Anderson has built a church of worship 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 821 

himself, to which he invites all Christian denominations. He also employs a minister, and 
he often says: "If the minister don't preach to suit me, I'll turn him off and hire an- 
other." He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the F. & A. M. He has the 
name of being "the most liberal man in Tennessee." 

CAPTAIN CLEM. ARLEDGE, clerk and master of the chancery court, was born 
June 1, 1826, being one of nine children, the fruits of the union of Clem. Arledge, 
Sr., and Martha Ginn, natives of South Carolina, from whence they came to Franklin 
County, Tenn., in 1818. The father was a farmer; he departed this life in 1851, and the 
mother followed him in the year 1857. Clem. Arledge was reared on a farm. At the age 
of twenty-six he married, and settled to farming. In 1856 he removed to Texas, and in 
two years returned to his native county. He was in the Confederate service as captain of 
Company F, Turney's First Tennessee, from 1861 to 1862 — one year — when he resigned on 
account of temporary loss of sight in both eyes, and perpetual blindness in one eye. In 
1871 Capt. Arledge was elected clerk of the county court of Franklin County, efficiently 
holding that office for twelve years, until 1882. In January, 1883, he was appointed to 
the office of which he is now the incumbent. He was married, in 1853, to Eliza Ro.sebor- 
ough, a native of Franklin County. She has borne ten children to this union, one of 
whom is dead — viz.: Josiah J., James C, John, Jesse B. (deceased), Robert L., Samuel L., 
Thomas M., Mattie S., Dora and Willie. Mrs. Arledge is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. Capt. Ai'ledge is a firm Democrat in politics, and is an enter- 
prising and respected citizen of the county. 

GEORGE E. BANKS, of the law firm of Simmons & Banks, was born in Bridlington, 
England. When eighteen years of age he crossed the ocean to America, landing in New 
York in Ajpril, 1867. He then taught school in Delaware one year, and in April, 1868, 
came to Franklin County, Tenn., where he taught two years. He then went to Kansas, 
and remained two years; thence returning to Franklin County, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes until the spring of 1885. He then went on a visit to Eu- 
rope, and remained there three months. He then returned to Winchester, and engaged 
in the practice of law, at which he has since been occupied. He was married, January 10, 
1869, to Miss Mattie Johnson, of this county, the fruits of this union being four children, 
one of whom— George E. — is now living. Both Mr. Banks and his wife are members of 
the Episcopal Church. Mr. Banks has no relatives in America, he being the only one of 
the family that came to this country. 

JAMES P. BARTON, M. D., of Maxwell, this county, was born in Wilson County, 
Tenn., February 12, 1851, and is one of a familyof seven children born to William and Mar- 
garet (Lane) Barton. The father is still living, and has been a minister of the Missionary 
Baptist Church in Wilson County, Tenn., since nineteen years old. He was born in that 
county in 1814. The mother is a daughter of William Lane, an old soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and is also still living. Our subject was educated at Gibson University, and 
also taught school prior to his majority. May 7, 1872, he married Miss Anna Pate, native 
of Putnam County, Tenn. To this union three children have been born: James O., Will- 
iam O., Ada A., all still living. Our subject attended the Louisville Medical College in 

1876, and then the medical department of the University of Tennessee at Nashville, in 

1877, and soon after moved to this county and has since been practicing medicine. Dr. 
Barton and his family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically he has 
always been connected with the Democratic party. 

EZEKIEL M. BEAN was born August 31, 1833, in Franklin County, Tenn., and is a 
son of William Bean, who was born in Lincoln County, and married Sallie Lindsey, who 
was born in East Tennessee. They became the parents of five children, only two of whom 
are living— our subject and a brother. After the mother's death the father married Anna 
Weaver, and both are still living in the county. After attaining his majority Ezekiel M., 
in the month of August, 1854, wedded Louisa Marshall, who was born in Franklin Coun- 
ty, Tenn., and to their union were born fifteen children, all of whom are living and five 
are married. During the late war he was with Ferguson's command two months, but 



822 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

returned home on account of ill health. In 1874 he purchased and located on his present 
farm. Mr. Bean and part of the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
the rest are identified with the Lutheran Church. Our subject votes the Democratic 
ticket. 

JOHN K. BENNETT, a prominent merchant of Decherd, Tenn., was born April 23, 
1840.. His father, H. K. Bennett, was a son of John Bennett, one of the very early set- 
tlers of Franklin County, and a well-to-do man, having dealt extensively in lead- 
mining interests. H. K. Bennett was a farmer; he died in 1847. The mother of John K., 
was Clarissa Keeton, a daughter of John Keeton, one of the very first pioneers of the 
county and a very prominent citizen, having held the different public offices' in the county. 
When fourteen years of age our subject found himself on his own support. He went to 
Atlanta and engaged at manual employment for a time, and in 1857 engaged as a mercan- 
tile clerk there, which he continued till the fall of Atlanta before Sherman. He then re- 
turned to Franklin County, and soon established his mercantile trade, which he has con- 
tinued very successfully ever since. Besides merchandising he carries on farming and 
stock-dealing. His stock of merchandise is about $3,500, and he transacts a yearly busi- 
ness of from $10,000 to $15,000. He was first married in 1858 to Miss M. T. Allen, of 
Atlanta, who bore him three children, viz.: John E., Lycurgus L. and Bettie, now the 
wife of C. D. Jackman, of Kentucky. Mrs. Bennett died in 1873, and Mr. Bennett married 
Mrs. Lavina Parks, who became the mother of two children — Charles and Lavina — and died 
in 1877. In 1878 Mr. Bennett chose and wedded Miss Florence Hines, the result of this 
union being four children — Daisy, Robert, Edgar and Minnie. Mr. Bennett and family are 
members of the Christian Church. Politically he has always been a Democrat. He is an 
enterprising and respected citizen of the county. 

HENSON G. BLANTON (deceased) was born in Bedford County, Tenn., February 
12, 1821, and died in Franklin County, Tenn., December 10, 1877. His father, William 
Blanton. was a North Carolinian, and came with his mother to Bedford County, Tenn., in 
the early settlement of that State and county. Our subject remained with his parents 
until his majority, then read medicine, and attended the Louisville Medical College, after 
which he began practicing in Franklin County. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Eunice Van Zant, who was born in Franklin Count}', and eight children were born to 
this union, six of whom are living — James (a physician practicing in Alabama), Mary, Jos- 
eph, Charles (also a physician of Alabama), Edward (a physician at Maxwell, Tenn.) and 
Hugh. 

WILLIAM M. BOUCHER, proprietor of the Franklin Hotel, at Cowan, Tenn., was 
born in Randolph County, Mo., February 2, 1825. His father, Robert Boucher, was born 
about 1795, in Madison County, Ky., where he was reared. He then went to Howard 
County, Mo., in 1818. He married Elizabeth Willcockson, in 1821, and then removed to 
Randolph County, Mo., where he died in 1871. The mother was born in Clark County, 
Ky., in 1805 and died in Randolph County, Mo., in 1867. These were parents of twelve 
children. William M., our subject, at the age of twenty-one, entered Masonic College, 
Missouri, and attended one term. In 1850 he went to California and engaged in gold min- 
ing three years. Returning home, he married Sophia Darby, in 1853, and followed farm- 
ing until 1870, with the exception of a few months, near the close of the war, when he 
was drafted and assigned to Companj- I, Sixth Missouri Infantry, joining his company at 
Washington, he was sent to Louisville and thence to Little Rock, where he was mustered 
out of service. In 1871 he moved to Huntsville, Mo., where he remained six years and 
thence iinmigrated to Franklin County, Mo., where he has since lived. Mr. Boucher has a 
family of three children now living, there having been eight born to his marriage. In 
1884, Mr. Boucher opened up the Franklin Hotel, in the building which was built by Drs. 
Sloan and Williams, at a cost of $6,000, for that purpose, By the hospitality of both Mr. 
and Mrs. Boucher, the Franklin Hotel has 'gained no little fame along the Nashville, 
Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad as a first class hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Boucher are mem- 
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 823 

PETER C. BREEDEN was born iu Memphis, Tenn., November 39, 1846, and is one 
of a family of three born to Archibald and Mary A. (Heistand) Breeden. The father was 
a native of Virginia, and when a young man came to Franklin County, Tenn., where he 
followed the carpenter's trade all his life, and died in the same county May 8, 1859; the 
mother having preceded him iu the year 1851, August 23. From the time of his mother's 
death our subject lived with an aunt until he attained his majority, after which he fol- 
lowed manual labor and clerking until 1874, when he engaged in the mercantile business 
at Huntland, Franklin Co., Tenn., and followed that with success for ten years, when in 
March, 1885, he disposed of his stock of goods and retired from the business, at least for 
a short time. But since then Mr. Breeden has not been idle, as he has built a good com- 
modious dwelling house on his property in Huntland, in addition to the one occupied by 
himself and family. December 11, 1878, he married Lila M. Deford, a native of Lincoln 
County, Tenn. To this union three children, all girls, have been born— Susan, Mary and 
Sallie, all living. Mr. and Mrs. Breeden are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. 
Breeden is a strong advocate of the principles of prohibition. 

W. W. BRITTAIN, fruit grower and nurseryman, was born June 13, 1827, in Ruther- 
ford County, Tenn. His father, John Brittain, was born in North Carolina, in 1791, and in 
1812, came to Rutherford County, Tenn., where he lived and died. In his early day, he, the 
father, was a cabinet-maker and also an extensive fruit grower nnd nurseryman, and at 
his death, in 1859, left an orchard of sixty acres. He was the first man to peddle fruit in 
Nashville, and was at one time awarded a ten-dollar silver cup as first premium on grape 
wine at the State Fair. The mother, nee Martha M. Smith, was born in Rutherford 
County, Tenn., in 1802, and lived all her life iu her native county, her death occurring 
in May, 1882. The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of eight children. He 
came to Franklin County, Tenn., in 1856, and began farming and fruit-growing, which he 
has continued very successfully, now owning 140 acres in Franklin County, and 80 acres 
in Florida on which is an orange grove. He has the most extensive nursery in the 
county, and an orchard of about 20 acres. He was married iu about 1855, to Sarah H. W. 
Blair, of Rutherford County, the result of this union being three children, two of whom 
are now living— Martha Ann, John (deceased) and William. The mother of these children 
died in August, 1864, and in December, 1871, Mr. B. was married to Elizabeth T. Lyons, 
who is the mother of these children— Ethel, Columbus L., James D., Elmer and Floyd. 
Mr. B. is a Master Mason and an active Democrat in politics. He enlisted iu May, 1862, 
in Company F, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and served three years, receiving a gunshot 
wound in the knee. He is an enterprising and highly respected citizen of the county. 

STEPHEN W. BROWN, a noted mill-wright of this county, was born in McMinn' 
County, Tenn., in 1825. Of the family of nine children born to his parents, James and 
Anna (Kelley) Brown, eight are still living. The father was born in Virginia in 1780, but 
came to East Tennessee when a child, where he met and married the mother. They 
followed the tanning trade and farming all their lives. The father died July 4, 1876, 
the mother in 1877-78. Our subject remained with his parents until his majority, then 
spent seven years in the Cherokee Nation, after which he moved to Franklin County, 
Tenn., where he has since resided, following farming in connection with his trade. 
August 24, 1848, he married Mary A. L. Patton, a native of Coffee County, Tenn. To 
this union six children have been born, all still living. Mr. Brown, with his family, 
are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he being an ordained minister in 
the Jackson Presbyterian. Mr. Brown has recently constructed and fitted up one of the 
very best flour-mills in the county. It is located on Bean Creek, two and a half miles 
north of Huntland, near his residence, and was begun on President Cleveland's inaugura- 
tion day. The water wheel for this mill is constructed upon an entirely new principle, 
and was designed and built by Mr. Brown, its chief superiority over the old wheel being 
the simplicity of the gear, thereby considerably economizing power. 

DAVID L. BUCKNER is a native Tennesseean, born in 1846. He is one of five chil- 
dren born to James and Susan (Stephenson) Buckner, both of whom were born in Ten- 



824 BIOGKAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

nessee, the former in 1820. James Buckner was a dentist of considerable note. He was 
sheriff of his county and frequently conducted his prisoners to Nashville on horseback. 
The father died in 1863 and the mother in 1857. Our subject made his home with his 
parent until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Companj^ H, Forty-third 
Tennessee Infantry, which, after the siege of Vicksburg, was changed to cavalry. Three 
of his brothers were in the service, and all except our subject were officers. After return- 
ing home David began the study and practice of dentistry, and in two years' time moved 
to Bedford County, where he remained five years. One season was spent in Texas, after 
which he returned to Tenneseee and located in Maxwell, Franklin County, where he has 
a lucrative practice. The Doctor has a very desirable country home, and in connection 
with his profession takes pleasure in following horticultural pursuits. In 1866 he married 
Elvie Jenkins, a native of Sullivan County, Tenn., and to them were born two children — 
one now living, Edward. Mrs. Buckner died in 1868, and October 29, 1873, Mr. Buckner 
wedded Mary Justin, a native of New York. They have two children — James and Freddie. 

JOHN M. DONALDSON is one of six surviving members of a family of seven chil- 
dren, and was born in Franklin County, Tenn., in 1837. His parents, AVilliam and Ellen 
(Morris) Donaldson, were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The for- 
mer was born in 1811, and came to Tennessee with his parents in 1819. He married the 
mother in 1836, and followed farming until his death, which occurred June 7, 1864. The 
mother died August 31, 1883. John M. assisted his parents until the breaking out of the 
war, when he, in 1862, enlisted in Company K, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry. He participated 
in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, At- 
lanta, Goldsboro, N. C, and was fortunate in not being wounded during service, although 
his horse was killed under him iu the battle of Dover. May 4, 1875, he married Ara Phillips, 
of this county, and this union was blessed with one child, Ellen L. In 1876 they moved 
to their farm of 250 acres. They also own a tract of 105 acres elsewhere in the county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are members of the Christian Church, and he has always been 
identified with the Democratic party, and believes in prohibition. 

REV. WILLIAM PORCHER DU BOSE, S. T. D., professor of ethics in the academic 
department and of exegesis in the theological department of the University of the South, 
was born April 11, 1836, in Winnsboro, S. C, being of Huguenot descent on both sides. 
He was graduated from the Military Academy of South Carolina in 1855, and received the 
degree of M. A. from the University of Virginia in 1859. He then entered upon the study 
for the ministry. In 1864 he entered the Confederate Army and served as adjutant until 
1864, when he was ordained and appointed chaplain of Kershaw's Brigade, serving in that 
capacity until the close of the war. He was then successively rector of the churches of 
Winnsboro and Abbeville, S. C, and, in 1871 was elected chaplain and professor in the 
University of the South at Sewanee. He resigned the chaplaincy in 1883, but has filled 
the chair of professor ever since coming to Sewanee, being one of the ablest and most de- 
voted members of the faculty. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Anne B. Peronneau, who 
bore him four children, of whom three are living — Susan P., Mary P. and William H. The 
mother of these children died in 1873, and Dr. Du Bose was then married to Mrs. Maria 
L. Yerger, nee Rucks, daughter of Judge Rucks, of Nashville. Dr. Du Bose received the 
degree of S. T. D. from the Columbia College of New York. 

THOMAS A. EMBREY was born in Winchester, Tenn., February 27, 1861. His 
father, Alexander S. Embrey, was also a native of Franklin County, Tenn., his birth oc- 
curring in 1833. He was a merchant all his life, and was in business in Winchester with 
a brother for over thirty years, doing a leading business of the place. He departed this 
life July 7, 1884, having been preceded by his wife on January 21, 1883. The parents 
reared but one child, and his name heads this sketch. Thomas A. was reared in Winches- 
ter, having good educational advantages. He began the reading of law in Winchester, 
and then took a course in the law department of the Vanderbilt University, of Nashville. 
He was admitted to the Franklin County bar in February, 1883. He was married Octo- 
ber 19, 1883, to Miss Fannie Lindsey, of Gainesville, Tex. Mr. Embrey and wife are mem 



FBANKLIN COUNTY. 825 

bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a Democrat in politics, and is one 
of the highly respected attorneys and business men of the county. 

FLOYD ESTILL, an attorney of Winchester, is a son of Frank T. and Catharine 
(Garner) Estill. The father was also an attorney; he was a native of this county, and a 
son of Dr. Wallis W. Estill, one of the most eminent physicians who ever lived in the 
county. Dr. WaDis W. Estill came from Virginia to Franklin County in the early set- 
tlement of the county, where he lived nearly all his life. He died in Georgia in 1862, while 
acting as a surgeon in the Confederate Army. Frank T. Estill was born in 1823, and died 
in 1878, being a leading member of the bar and a popular citizen of Franklin County. He 
was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee when but about twenty-one years of age. He 
was county surveyor for a time after the war. He reared a family of eleven children; of 
fourteen born to his marriage, ten are now living. Floyd Estill was born November 11, 
1859, and was reared in Winchester. He read law in Winchester and at Fayetteville, and en- 
gaged in the practice of law before twenty years of age in Nashville, and in January, 1883, 
formed his present partnership under the firm name of Estill & Whittaker. He married 
Miss Nora Landis, of Bedford County, Tenn., November 10, 1885. Himself and wife are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Estill is a firm Dem- 
ocrat. 

NATHAN FRANCIS, the editor and publisher of the Franklin County News, was 
born August 23, 1858, in Franklin County, Tenn., being one of the family born to the 
matrimonial union of W. R. Francis and Margaret Mcllheran. The father is a farmer of 
Franklin County; he was born in Virginia. The mother was born in Franklin County, 
Tenn. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm to the age of fifteen, at which 
time he entered the State University at Knoxville, Tenn., which he attended one year. 
He then attended the Winchester Normal School and graduated from that institution. 
He was elected to the office of clerk of the Circuit Court of Franklin County, efficiently 
serving in that trust till 1886— one term. For four years he taught school in his county, 
previous to his term of office. In 1886 he took charge of the News, his first issue being 
June 4 of this year. Mr. Francis was united in marriage December 25, 1883, to Miss Lulu 
Wood, of Scottsboro, Ala., the fruits of this union being one daughter, Grace. Both 
himself and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically he is 
a firm Democrat. He is an advocate of prohibition, and is a promising young man of the 
county. 

REV. THOMAS FRANK GAILOR, M. A., S. T. B., professor of ecclesiastical 
history and polity, and chaplain of the University of the South, was born in Jackson, 
Miss., September 17, 1856. His mother, who is still living, was Miss Charlotte Moffett. 
the youngest daughter of an Irish family which came to the United States in 1849, and 
which boasts that for nearly 200 years it has given one or more of its sons in each gener- 
ation to the ministry of the Episcopal Church. His father was Frank M.'Gailor. a New 
Yorker by birth, who went to Mississippi in 1853, but moved to Memphis, Tenn., and was 
associated with M. C. Gallaway on the editorial staff of the Memphis AvalancJie. When 
the war broke out he entered the Confederate Army, and after gaining distinction on the 
fields of Shiloh, Munfordsville and other places, he was killed .while leading the Thirty- 
third Mississippi Regiment to the charge at the battle of Perry ville, Ky., October 8, 1862. 
Rev. Prof. Gail or received his early education in Memphis, Tenn., which he still 
claims as his home. He was graduated with the degree of B. A. at Racine (Wis.) College 
in 1876, and took the M. A. degree from the same'' institution in 1879. He received his 
theological training in the General Theological Seminary, New York, where he was grad- 
uated in 1879, and earned the degree of S. T. B. In 1879 he was ordained to the ministry 
of the Episcopal Church, and for three years had charge of the Church of the Messiah in 
Pulaski, Giles Co., Tenn. In 1883 he was elected to the professorship of ecclesiastical 
history and polity at the University of the South, and in 1883, was made chaplain of the 
university, both of which positions he now holds. In November, 1885, Prof. Gailor mar- 
ried Miss Ellen Douglas Cunningham, daughter of George W. Cunningham, Esq., of 
Nashville, Tenn. 



826 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

J. A. GAINES, dealer in a general line of merchandise in "Winchester, established bus- 
iness October 1, 1883, and has been successfully selling goods ever since. He was born iti 
South Carolina, in 1835, and was reared in that State. He remained in his native State 
till 188t. When young he had the advantages of a common school education. When 
twenty-one he began the blacksniithing business, having learned the trade before. This 
he pursued and doing a general mechanical business, as long as he lived in South Carolina, 
also carrying on merchandising there for several years. In 1881, he moved to Sweetwater, 
Tenn., and in 1883 came to Winchester, as stated above. He was married in 1859 to Miss 
Margaret Pegg, of South Carolina. Elevenchildren were born to this union, nine of whom 
are living, viz.: Ora A., Nettie F., Pauline, Carrie, Julian, Raymond P., Charles, Ira and 
Frank. Mr. Gaines and wife and his three older children are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. He is a Royal Arch Mason. Politically he is a Democrat. 
His parents were from Virginia and were of Welsh descent. 

IRVIN C. GARNER, a merchant of Winchester, was born March 33, 1837, near Win- 
chester. His father, Charles C. Garner, was born in Rutherford County, N. C, January 
18, 1800, and when two years old went to Kentucky where he lived a short time, and then, 
with his parents, came to near Winchester, where he died May 6, 1882. He was a farmer 
by occupation, was a well known man, and was also one of the prominent farmers of the 
county The mother, nee Beulah Wadlington, was born near Princeton, Ky., in 1806, and 
when a girl came to this county, where she is now living. Irvin C. began clerking in a 
store at the age of fifteen, and continued to do so till the war. In May, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company C, Turney's First Tennessee, and was in the service till September, 1861, 
when he was discharged on account of disability. He returned to his command in May, 
1864, and remained till the close of the war. He then resumed mercantile pursuits till 
1867, when he began general merchandising for himself, which he has continued ever since. 
He was married, March 30, 1866, to Mary C. Pryor, a native of Winchester, born Septem- 
ber 29, 1844, the result of this union being two children — Nannie P. and Beulah T. Mrs. 
Garner and oldest daughter are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Garner is a member of the K. of H. and of the K. & L. of H. Politically he has always 
been a Democrat. 

JOHN H. GILLESPIE is a native of Huntsville, Ala., born in 1813, and an only 
child of James T. and Clarkie (Gillespie) Gillespie. The father was born in Pennsylvania, 
and was in the war of 1813 and was killed at Horseshoe battle, on the Coosa river, Sep- 
tember 14, 1814. The mother was born in Louisiana, and died in 1870. JohnH. remained 
with his mother until her death. He was married to Sarah Morris in 1833, and to them 
were born nine children, seven of whom are living — Mary E., William J., John D., Cyn- 
thia, Ruth, Monroe and Charles E. Mr. Gillespie and family are earnest members of the 
Christian Church. Originally he was an old-line Whig but at the present time has no 
particular preference. He is a strong advocate of prohibition. 

ZUINGLIUS C. GRAVES, LL. D., president of the Mary Sharp College, of Win- 
chester, Tenn., was born April 15, 1816, in Windsor County, Vt., being a son of Zuing- 
lius C. and Lois M. (Snell) Graves, natives of Massachusetts and of German descent. 
When our subject was but five years old his father died, and he was then reared b}^ his 
mother to the age of sixteen. At this age he entered the Chester Academy of Vermont, 
and afterward attended the Black River Institution at Ludlow, Vt., graduating from this 
school in 1837. He then went to the Western Reserve, King.sville, Ohio, and founded the 
Kingsville Academy, of which he was president for twelve years. In December, 1850. he 
was called to Winchester, Tenn., to establish and conduct the Mary Sharp College, the 
presidency of which he has held ever since. From the very germ he has developed Mary 
Sharp to be one of the very best colleges for the education of women in the country. Dr. 
Graves was licensed to preach in the Missionary Baptist Church when nineteen years of 
age. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the Madison University of New 
York, and the degree of LL. D. by the Union University of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He is 
a man wholly attached to his work, and has had under his charge as many as 10,000 differ- 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 827 

ent pupils during his career. He was married at the age of twenty-five, in Kingsville, 
Ohio, to Miss Adelia C. Spencer, the fruits of this union being four children— James R., 
who was killed in the late war; Florence M., who died after becoming the wife of Henry- 
Green, a commission merchant of Columbus, Ga. ; Zu. D., deceased; and Hubert A. Dr. 
Graves is an enterprising and valued citizen of Franklin County, and one of the eminent 
instructors of the State. 

ISAAC GRAY is a son of George Gray, who was married to Lucy Benning and became 
the father of seven children, only three of whom survive. George Gray was born in 1777, 
in North Carolina (his father being in the Revolutionary war at the time), and came to 
Kentucky when a boy. In 1809 he came to Franklin County, Tenn., and soon located on 
the farm where our subject now lives. There the father died in 1859, and the mother in 
1844. Isaac Gray was born in 1815, and spent three years, from 1847 to 1850, in Arkansas, 
in the tanning business; and with the exception of these three years has always lived in 
Franklin County. He is well preserved and is a hale, hearty and jovial old bachelor, and, 
although over seventy years old, can see to read without the aid of glasses better than 
most men of fifty. He owns a fine tract of 1,200 acres of land, and is considered one of 
Franklin County's successful financiers. He is a member of the Christian Church, and 
was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat and a firm believer in the principles of pro- 
hibition. 

THOMAS D. GREGORY, one of Tennessee's eminent attorneys, was born December 
31, 1842, in Lincoln County, Tenn. His father. Brown Gregory, was also a native of Lin- 
coln County, and by occupation was a farmer. In 1852 he removed from his native 
county to Franklin County, Tenn., where he remained till his death in 1858. The mother, 
nee Mary McClellan, is yet living; she was born in Lincoln County, Tenn. The subject of 
this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common school education. At the age of 
eighteen he entered Turney's First Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States Army, and 
served throughout the war, being promoted to adjutant of the regiment and serving in 
that capacity the last eighteen months of the war. Returning from the war he began the 
reading of law with A. S. Marks, of Winchester, and in September, 1866, was admitted to 
the bar. He is a man of fine physical build and of iijarked firmness of character. He 
was married, in 1868, to Miss Mary Simmons, a native of this county. Two daughters 
have been born to this union. Their names are Lena and Lou. Politically Mr. Gregory 
is a firm and active Democrat. He is a member of the State Democratic Executive Com- 
mittee. He has never aspired to official honor, but is a popular and leading member of 
his party in that part of the State in which he lives. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and of the K. of H. 

GEORGE O. HANNUM, principal of the Sherwood Academy, was born February 2, 
1833, in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Mass., being of English descent. He is the son of 
a farmer, his parents both dying in Massachusetts, of which State his father was a native. 
His mother was a native of Connecticut. He received a fair early education, and remained 
with his parents to the 'age of twenty-one, when he was married. He then engaged in 
farming and teaching until 1868, in his native State. He then removed to Winnebago 
City, Minn., where he taught school and farmed; also, a part of time, he was engaged in 
the flouring-mill business. In the spring of 1883 he removed to Sherwood, Tenn., and 
has since had charge of this academy. His marriage ceremony was solemnized in 1856, 
uniting him in wedlock to Amelia Nutting, a native of Amherst, Hampshire Co., Mass. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hannum are members of the Union Church at Sherwood, and are 
valued citizens of the place. In Massachusetts Mr. Hannum was on the board of super- 
intendents of schools, and was for a series of years an assessor and supervisor under mu- 
nicipal government; and in Winnebago, Minn., he was justice of the peace. 

JAMES L. HATCHETT was born in 1838 in this county, and is one of three children 
born to Archard and Sarah (Lucky) Hatchett. The father was born in 1782, in Virginia; 
came to Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1806, where he remained a few years, and then 
came to this county, locating on the farm where he lived and died, which is also the birth- 



828 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

place of our subject and his present home. He followed farming, making stock raising a 
specialty, and was an associate of David Crockett, with whom he frequently hunted game 
in this vicinity; and even now their initials maybe seen carved together on many trees in 
this county. His first wife, Susan Sublet, bore him eleven children, and died about 1834; 
he then married our subject's mother, a native of North Carolina. She was born in 1799, 
and died in May, 1879. The father died May 24, 1853. Our subject remained with his 
parents until their deaths; but on the day of his majority he married Jane Larkin, a native 
of this county, to which marriage eight children were born, all living. The mother of 
these children died March 23, 1875. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth 
Tennessee Cavalry, with which command he remained until the close of the war, and 
then returned to his farm, which he has since cultivated, devoting considerable attention 
to stock raising. Mr. Hatchett and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, 

JOHN HESSLER, an enterprising farmer of Franklin County, was bOrn December 
18, 1823, in Saxony, Germany. His father was Conrad Hessler, and his mother was nee 
Margaret Kluge. The father was born in Prussia. He served eight years under Napoleon 
I, participating in the great battles of Leipsic, Moscow and Waterloo. He died in Saxony 
in 1856. The mother was also a native of Saxony, where she died a few weeks before the 
death of the father occurred. In 1844 John Hessler came to America, where he found 
employment in carpet factories in New York and Baltimore for about twelve years. In 
1856 he moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he followed the same occupation for two 
years. He then removed to Wabash, Ind., and there worked at his trade a short time, 
and then engaged for about ten years in tenant farming. He then immigrated to Frank- 
lin County, Tenn., where he farmed as tenant for seven years, and then bought the farm 
whereon he now lives. While in New York he married Margaret Klein, a native of Darm- 
stadt, Germany, who became the mother of ten children, eight of whom are still living. 
She died May 24, 1855, in Wabash County, Ind. Mr. Hessler has a good farm of 250 
acres, which he has paid for with the products of the place. It is splendidly improved, 
considering that when he bought it it was an old and worn-out farm. 

ISEBRAND H. HEIKENS is^ native German, born in 1839, and is one of six surviving 
members of a family of seven children, born to Heije and Trientje, who were born in 
1804 and 1806, and died in 1858 and 1884, respectively. Our subject remained with his 
parents in Germany and worked on a farm until twenty-two years of age, and then, in 
company with a twin brother, came to America locating first in Stephenson County, 111., 
and later purchased a farm in Iowa, where they remained eleven years. Our subject then 
came to Tenne.ssee, and purchased the farm of 460 acres where he is now living. October 
80, 1866, while in Iowa he married Aafke Jaspers, who was born in Germany and immi- 
grated to America about the time our subject did. After having borne seven children Mrs. 
Heikens died August 11, 1880; and June 4, 1883, Mr. Heikeus married Laura Pack, of 
Franklin County,' Tenn. They became the parents of two children, one of whom is liv- 
ing, and the mother died February 18, 1886. Mr. Heikens' children's names are — Heije, 
Berend, Trientje, HinderinaandMargarethe by his first wife, and Georgia by his last wife. 
Mr. Heikens has never taken much interest in American politics, but is a civil and law- 
abiding citizen. 

REV. TELFAIR HODGSON, D. D., of the Protestant Episcopal Church, was born 
in Columbia, Virginia, March 14, 1840. He graduated at the College of New Jersey at 
Princeton, N. J., in 1859. He studied theology in the General Seminary, New York, 1860; 
entered the Confederate Army in 1861. In 1863 he was ordained to the lower order of the 
ministry (the Diaconate) at Savannah, Ga., and to the priesthood at Columbus, Ga., in 
1864. From 1866 to 1869 he had charge of St. Mary's Church, Keyport, N. J.; then, in 
1869-70, he traveled in Europe, returning to Keyport, N. J., in 1871. He was professor 
of philosophy at the University of Alabama 1872-73, and was assistant in Christ Church, 
Baltimore, Md., 1874. From 1874 to 1878 he was rector of Trinity Church, Hoboken, 
N. J. In 1878 he took the chair of vice-chancellor of the University of the South, 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 829 

Sewanee, Tenn., and is still in that office, much of the grand success of that institution 
being due to him. While at Keyport, N. J., Mr. Hodgson was president of the New York 
& Freehold Railroad Company and of the Matawan & Keyport Gas Light Company. Dr. 
Hodgson has published several sermons, reports and fugitive pamphlets. He is a man of 
high intellectual powers and a vigilant worker. 

SAMUEL C. HOGE, one of the leading merchants of Sewanee, was born in Alabama 
in 1839, and was reared in his native State, receiving a common school education. At the 
age of eighteen he began mercantile clerking, which he continued until the war, when he 
enlisted in Company C, Third Confederate Cavalry, remaining in the service until the 
close of the war. After the war he moved to Cowan, Tenn., and engaged at farming one 
year, and then in merchandising for a time. He then went to Jasper, Tenn., and for one 
year engaged in merchandising, and in 1869 came to Sewanee, and established his present 
business three years later, in 1872, since which time he has done a thriving business. He 
has a stock of about $4,000, and transacts a yearly business of about |20,000. He was 
married, in 1872, to Miss Tommie Holland, the fruit of this union being four children: 
Nellie W., Eunice H., Nannie and John E. Mrs. Hoge is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Chui^ch. Politically Mr. Hoge is a Democrat. He was postmaster for ten 
years under Republican administrations, and is now the postmaster at Sewanee. The 
parents of Mr. Hoge were James and Nancy (Kelly) Hoge, natives of Virginia. They 
died in Alabama, having been among the very early settlers of Wills Valley, Ala. 

WILLIAM B. HOLT was born January 15, 1834, within eight miles of where he now 
lives, being one of ten^hildren, the fruits of the union of Jacob Holt and Elizabeth By- 
rom. The father was one of the early pioneers of the county; he was born in 1799, and 
died in 1874. He was married four times and had a family of twenty-seven children. 
The mother was a daughter of Henry Byrom, one of the earliest citizens of Franklin 
County, who came from South Carolina and died in this county. He reared a family of 
ten children, and was a highly respected old citizen of the county. William B. Holt was 
reared on the old-time farm and has seen the county develop from a howling wilder- 
ness to its present state of civilization and cultivation. He delighted in the sports of 
hunting and fishing. When iwenty-two years of age he was married, in the year 1846, to 
Miss Sallie Holt, who bore him nine children, eight now living: James H., Eva E., deceased; 
Turley C, the wife of Rufus Daniel; William J., John A., Thomas M., Joe L., Mary J., 
wife of Henry Furgerson; and Martha A., wife of James Chilton. He engaged in farming, 
and has continued it ever since. For fifteen years after his marriage he ran a blacksmith- 
shop, and then engaged in gunsmithing, which he has continued ever since. He now 
owns 450 acres of good land. Himself, wife and six children are members of the Baptist 
Church. Mr. Holt has taken notice of things that have passed by him, and enjoys his old 
days in thinking over pioneer times. 

HENRY S. HUDGINS, dealer in a general line of merchandise at Estill Springs, was 
born June 7, 1847, in Williamson County, Tenn., being a son of John J. and Maria (Cole- 
man) Hudgins. The father now resides in Franklin County. He was born in Mecklen- 
burg County, Va., in 1803, and has been a farmer all his life. When young he came to 
Williamson County, where he lived till 1856, when he removed to Franklin County. 
When Henry S. was but six years old his mother died; he remained with his father 
to the age of twenty, when he engaged in farming in Franklin County, until November, 
1884, when he began merchandising, which he has very successfully continued. He was 
united in the bonds of matrimony in 1866, to Rebecca B. Muse, a native of Franklin 
County. This union has been blessed in the birth of five children, all of whom are living: 
Mary A., James H., William D., Kindred W. and Burthal. Mr. Hudgins, his wife and 
his oldest daughter are members of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat in politics, 
and is one of the enterprising and respected citizens of the county. 

CHARLES L. JONES, an enterprising farmer of this county, was born in Franklin 
County, Tenn., in December, 1829, and is the youngest of two sons and one daughter 
born to Wm. L. and Mary (Arnett) Jones. The parents were both born near Richmond, 



830 BIOGKAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Va., and married there, but afterward moved to this county, where their family of three 
children were born and raised. The father was born May 31, 1792, and died January 16, 
1857. The mother was born May 6. 1806; died July 28, 1861. In 1852 our subject married 
Rebecca J. Harris, native of this county, and to them was born one child, dying in in- 
fancy, the mother of which also died in 1853. October, 1858, he married Susan Horton, 
also native of this county, to whom five daughters have been born, one dying in infancy, 
and another, Mary E., in October, 1882. The names of the three remaining are Ella J., 
Belle and Willie. Mr. Jones has followed farming all his life on the place where he now 
resides — a splendid farm, well improved, and on which are several very fine and never- 
failing springs. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church; he also being a 
member of theF. »&A. M., and identified with the Democratic party. 

WILLIAM M. KEITH, a prominent and successful farmer of Franklin County, was 
born March 22, 1844, and is one of a family of eight children born to James N. and 
Nancy E. (Larkin) Keith. The father was born in North Carolina about 1814, and came 
with his grandparents to this county when quite young, and followed farming here until 
his death, which occurred in 1876. The mother was a native of this county, lived here all 
her life, and died March 9, 1872. Our subject remained with his parents until the com- 
mencement of the war; he then enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Tennessee Infantry, 
with which he remained until the battle of Murfreesboro, at which place he lost an arm, 
and then came home staying with his father about ten years. In 1874 he, in partnership 
with a Mr. Lipscomb, embarked in the mercantile business at Huntland, this county, 
which he continued two years, and then returned to the farm, remaining with his father 
until his (the father's) death. January 22, 1878, he married Julia Ann Lipscomb, of this 
county, since which he has followed farming, where he now lives. To the above marriage 
three children have been born, all living: Buford, Floyd and Elizabeth. Mr. Keith has 
always been identified with the Democratic party, and is a supporter of the principles of 
prohibition. 

JOHN M. KELLY, justice of the peace and postmaster at Sherwood, was born in 
Franklin County, Tenn., in 1846, being a son of William and Angeline (Prince) Kelly. 
The father was born in Franklin County, Tenn., was a farmer all his life, and died in 
1851, his father being John M. Kelly, Sr., a very prominent early settler of the county. 
The naother is a daughter of Squire William Prince, who is now among the very oldest 
citizens of Franklin County, and yet resides near Sherwood, and has been justice of the 
peace for about twenty years. The mother of our subject is now living. The immediate 
subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. He enlisted in May, 1861, in Company I, 
Seventeenth Tennessee, remaining in that command throughout the war. After the war 
he engaged in farming, which he continued until about 1882, when he was elected justice 
of the peace, and has since lived in Sherwood. He was appointed postmaster in 1885, 
and now holds that oflace. He was married, in 1867, to Elizabeth Garner, the fruits of 
this union being five children, four of whom are still living: Jennie, Annie, Tina and 
Willie. The mother of these children died in 1880, having been a member of the Camber 
land Presbyterian Church, as is Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Franklin De- 
mocratic Executive Committee. 

HENRY M. LAIRD, car-inspector at Cowan for the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. 
Louis Railroad Company, and for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company, -was 
born in June, 1857, being an only child born to James A. and Martha E. (Williams^ Laird, 
both natives of Tennessee. The father published the first Know-nothing paper ever 
published in Tennessee. He died in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1861; the mother still 
lives in Nashville. The subject of this sketch was married, October 15, 1880, to Miss Ida 
Williams, daughter of William E. Williams, one of the pioneers of this part of the State. 
To this union two children have been born, who.se names are Colie E. and Bessie A. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Laird are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

WILLIAM T. LEAGUE was born March 10, 1830, in Alexandria, Va. When one 
year old his- parents removed to Baltimore, and he was reared in that city. At the age of 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 831 

fifteen lie began mercantile clerking, and also learned the trade of manufacturing silk 
hats, which trade he pursued very successfully till the war, when he engaged in the hotel 
business at Annapolis, Md., for about two years. After the war he came to Estill Springs 
for the purpose of again establishing a silk hat manufactory. He soon disposed of his 
stock of hats, and in 1866 engaged in general merchandising, which he has ever since con- 
tinued. He was appointed postmaster in 1866, and has held the office continuously ever 
since. He was first married in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1850, to Miss Fannie Bradshaw, 
the result of this union being five children, viz.: Jared H., Metamora, Rosa B. (wife of-R. 
T. Miller), "William T. (a prominent lawyer in Poplar Bluff, Mo.) and Emma. He 
lived with the mother of these children until 1866, and in 1871 he was married to Miss 
Nannie Hill, of Franklin County, who bore him two children, one of whom — Achaen— is 
now living. This wife died in about 1875. Mr. League and his two daughters are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church. Mr. League is a Democrat in politics, and is a well re- 
spected citizen of the county. The League family originated in America through one 
James League, who, with seven sons, immigrated to Maryland in Revolutionary times. 
He was very wealthy. The father of our subject was also James League. He was a de- 
fender of Baltimore in 1812, and died in 1873. 

DAN LENEHAN, one of the leading merchants of Decherd, Tenu., was born October 
17, 1839, in Winchester, Tenn., being a son of Peter and Narcissa (Champion) Lenehan. 
The father was born in Dublin, Ireland, and when about nineteen he immigrated to 
America. In a short time he found his way to Franklin County, Tenn., in the very early 
settlement of the county. He taught school here for many years, but afterward engaged 
in farming, which he continued till his death, at the age of ninety, in 1878. The mother 
was a daughter of Daniel Champion, one among the first settlers of the county. She died 
a few months before the father's death occurred. The subject of this sketch remained 
with his parents to about the age of eighteen, when he lived with his grandfather, Daniel 
Champion for a time. He went to Illinois and taught school and worked on a farm for 
about two years. He afterward returned to Franklin County; in 1861 enlisted in Company 
I, Turney's First Tennessee Regiment, Confederate Army, and served throughout the war. 
He had three brothers in the same company with him, only one of whom returned from 
the service alive. He also had a brother in the Forty-fourth Tennessee, who safely re- 
turned. Coming from the war our subject taught school and clerked a while. In 1870 
he established his mercantile trade, which he has continued successfully ever since, carry- 
ing a stock of about $6,000, and transacting annually about |12,000 worth of business. 
He was married, December 28, 1869, to Miss Susan Featherstone, the result of this union 
being three children, viz.: Richard, Pearl and Thomas. Mr. Lenehan was bereft of his 
wife May 13, 1882. He takes an active interest in politics, acting with the Democratic 
party. He is a moral and enterprising citizen of Franklin County. 

JOHN LIPSCOMB, merchant at Bean's Creek, Franklin County, Tenn., was born in 
this county in 1838, and is one of seven children born to Granville and Jane (Breeden) 
Lipscomb. The father, a native of Virginia, was born about 1805, and married his first 
wife in Virginia, then moved to Franklin County, Tenn., where she died, having borne one 
child. Mr. Lipscomb then married his second wife, also a native of Virginia, and re- 
moved to Illinois, where he remained two years, and then returned to this county, where 
his second wife died, leaving two children, William and David, the latter being editor of 
the Qo"pd Advocate at Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Lipscomb's third wife was our subject's 
mothe:?; ^e was also born in Virginia. At the age of sixteen John entered Franklin 
College, near Nashville, and attended two terms. In 1863 he enlisted in the Forty-first 
Tennessee Infantry, with which he remained about eight months, then returned home, 
and in 1865 began operating the tan-yard at Bean Creek, now owned by him, and re- 
cently remodeled with the view of running it on a large scale. It was the pioneer man- 
ufactory establishment of this part of Franklin County, being first operated in 1823. In 
1876 Mr. Lipscomb began merchandising at Bean Creek, and in 1881 a cousin, J. C. 
Breeden, became his partner. In 1863 Mr. Lipscomb married Ann Smith, who has borne 



832 BIOGBAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

him nine children, all living. Mr. Lipscomb is a supporter of the principles of Prohibi- 
tion, and he with his family are members of the Christian Church. 

JOHN T. LIPSCOMB, farmer, was born October 23, 1840, in this county, and is one 
of seven children born to William C. and Elizabeth (Lipscomb) Lipscomb. The father 
was born in Spottsylvania County, Va., June 7, 1804, and came to this county in 1833; re- 
maining one year, he returned to Virginia and married our subject's mother, a native of 
Louisa County, Va. In 1835 they removed to Franklin County, Tenn., where they re- 
mained farming until their deaths, which occurred March 16, 1847, and December 20, 1877, 
mother and father, respectively. Our subject remained with his parents until his major- 
ity, attending Franklin College, near Nashville, two years previous to the commencement 
of the war, when he enlisted in Company F, First Tennessee Confederate Infantry, join- 
ing his command in Virginia. He was captured at the battle of the Wilderness, and taken 
to Point Lookout, Md. At the close of the war he embarked in the mercantile business at 
Huntland, this county, which he continued successfully ten years. He then moved to 
his present farm, which he had purchased while in business. He has since followed farm- 
ing, and is considered one of Franklin County's successful farmers. In August, 1869, he 
married Mrs. Mary M. Rutledge, nee Montgomery, who had two children by her former 
husband, both still living: George C. and Eva D. To this marriage one child was born- 
William Ira, still living; and the mother died April 8, 1871. On October 21, 1879, he mar- 
ried Mrs. Lina E. Porter, nee Montgomery (sister of his first wife), who had three children 
by her former husband— Flora M., Tinie L. and Willie G., all living. To this mar- 
riage one child has been born— Thomas Colville, living. Mr. and Mrs. Lipscomb are mem- 
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has always voted the Democratic 
ticket, and is a firm support^- of the principles of prohibition. 

HUGH N. LUCAS was born in 1827, a native of this county and one of a family of 
seven born to William and Grissella Lucas. The parents were natives of North Carolina 
and South Carolina, father and mother, respectively. The father was born in 1798, and 
came to this county in 1818; he married the mother of our subject in 1820, she having 
moved to this county in 1816. They followed farming here in the county, the father dy- 
ing in 1861 and the mother in 1882. Our subject remained with his parents until 1847, 
then spent eleven years in Texas, but returned to this county, where he purchased a farm 
and afterward located wliere he now resides. He has a controlling interest in the Falls 
Mills Manufacturing Company, of this county. In October, 1862. he was drafted into the 
Twenty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, with which he remained but a few months, owing to 
bad health. In 1865 he married Nancy Hannah, a native of Franklin County, which 
union has been blessed by the birth of six children, all still living. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas 
are members of the Methodist Church. He is also a member in good standing of 
F. &A. M. 

JOHN D. LYNCH, one of the leading merchants of Sherwood, Tennesse, is the 
fourth of a family of seven children, born to the marriage of John D. Lynch and Hettie 
Wilkinson. The father was born in 1818, being a son-of David Lynch a prominent early 
settler of Franklin County. John D. Lynch, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and for 
many years was a magistrate of the county, his death occurring in 1883. The mother of 
our subject is still living. The immediate subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, 
having been born in 1844. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service in Com- 
pany I, Seventeenth Tennessee, in which he served until the surrender, and at Chicka- 
mauga lost a leg. Returning from the war he farmed a short time. Since then he has 
been dealing in lumber and tan bark, and has also been merchandising. He does an ex- 
tensive business in the tan bark trade. He was married, in 1867, to Nancy Jane King, a 
native of this county, who has borne nine children to this union, six of whom are living, 
viz.: John B., Hettie, David, Lucinda, Rebecca, and Nancy Jane. Politically, Mr. Lynch 
is a Democrat. He is an enterprising and successful business man and a good citizen. 
His grandfather, David Lynch,was a soldier in the war of 1813. His uncle, Elijah Lynch, 
•was a soldier in the war of 1812 and in the Florida war. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 833 

DAVID LYONS, a farmer, living in the Tenth District, was one of five children born 
to the marriage of William Lyons and Catharine Howp, nee Corner. He was born in 1815 
in Augusta County, Va., and is the only one of the family now living. The father came 
to Franklin County, Tenn., with his family, about 1836, and died in the county in 1858, 
having been preceded by his wife about ten years. David Lyons remained with his parents 
till attaining his majority, when he began farming for himself. In 1859 he bought the 
farm whereon he now resides. In 1839 he married Nancy Ferrall, a native of this county, 
who bore him eight children, seven of whom are now living. This wife died in 1878, and 
in 1881 Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to his second wife, Mrs. Boyle, nee Black, a 
native of Blount County, Tenn. Mr. L. lives in a brick house, one among the first, if not 
the first one, ever built in Franklin County. In a little cemetery on his farm lie the 
remains of Col. James Lewis, an officer in the Revolutionary war, and one of "Washing- 
ton's Forlorn Hope " at the battle of Brandywine. Col. Lewis was born in Albemarle 
County, Va., in 1755, came to Franklin County about 1811, locating on the farm now 
owned by Mr. Lyons, and died February 21, 1849. 

EX-GOV. A. S. MARKS was born in Daviess County, Ky., October 16, 1836. He was 
reared in his native county to the age of twenty, on a tobacco plantation. His father was 
a well-to-do farmer, and died when A. S. was but about ten years old. At the age of 
twenty our subject came to Winchester and began reading law in the office of A. S. Col- 
yar, and he was admitted to the bar just before the war. He then enlisted in 1861, as 
captain of Company E, Seventeenth Tennessee, in the Confederate service. In May, 1862, 
he was elected colonel of that regiment. At Murfreesboro he lost a leg, and after his re- 
covery, he was in Forrest's military court till the close of the war. After returning home 
he resumed the practice of law in Winchester until 1870, when he was elected chan- 
cellor of the Fourth Division of Tennessee, and in 1878 was re-elected without oppo- 
sition. He soon afterward, in 1878, received the nomination by the Democratic party 
for governor, and was elected, serving one term, 1879-81. He has since been engaged 
in the practice of law, being one of the very able lawyers of the State, and one of the 
popular and leading men of his party. He was married, April 28, 1868, to Miss Novalla 
Davis, of Wilson County, Tenn. Gov. Marks has two sons, one of whom, Arthur H., is 
now consular clerk in the United States Diplomatic Corps in London, being a lawyer by 
profession, and the other one, Albert D., is practicing law in the firm of Marks & Greg- 
ory, having been admitted to the bar when seventeen years of age. 

WILLIAM W. MARTIN, one among the old citizens of Franklin County, was born 
within two miles of Decherd October 17, 1829. He is one of a family of eleven children 
born to the marriage of Nathan R. Martin and Jane Witt. The father was born in South 
Carolina December 1, 1804, where he lived till the age of twelve, when, in 1816, he immi- 
grated to Franklin County, Tenn., where he married, lived and died, his death occurring 
in 1859. The mother was born December 20, 1804, in Virginia, whence she came to this 
county when seven years old. She lived in this county till 1874, when she removed to 
Houston County. Ga., where she now lives. Our subject was reared on a farm. He 
learned the blacksmith trade, and when twenty-one he began the pursuit of his trade for 
himself, which he continued until 1858, when he entered the mercantile business, which 
he continued till 1861. He then raised a company for the Confederate service, but the 
company was not received. He then remained at home till 1863, when he went to Houston 
County, Ga., there worked at his trade in the Confederate service till the close of the war. 
After the war he engaged at his trade in Decherd, and continued till October, 1865, when 
he established his present merchandising trade, which he has successfully continued ever 
since. He was married, March 19, 1853, to Miss Lizzie Hines, the result of this union 
being ten children, eight of whom are living: Edward H., Annie, Lou B. and Isaac H. 
(twins), Nathan E., Theodosius W., Meredith P. and Clyde. Mr. Martin and all of his 
family, except the two youngest children, are members of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. 
Martin being an elder in the church. Politically he is a Democrat, and is one of the lead- 
ing and influential citizens of the community. 



834 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

JOHN H. MARTIN, one of Winchester's attorneys, was born December 27, 1844, in 
Franklin County, Tenn., being one of a family of children, the fruits of the marriage of 
Daniel J. Martin and Sarah Martin, natives of this county, and of the same surname, al- 
though of no blood relation. The father was a farmer b}^ occupation, and a prominent 
man of the county. He held the office of constable about ten years, that of justice of the 
peace six years, deputy sheriff four years, and sheriff four years. He raised four children, 
all now living in this county. He died in 1875, but the mother is still living. Our sub- 
ject was reared on a farm, securing a good common school education. He began reading 
medicine in 1866 and continued until 1869; he then abandoned that profession and began 
the reading of law, and was soon admitted to the bar, since which time he has continued 
in that profession. He also owns 200 acres of land in the Fourth District. Politically he 
has always been a Democrat. 

ISAAC N. MARTIN, farmer of this county, was born in 1828, in Franklin County, 
Tenn., and is one of a family of two children born to William and Elizabeth (Sandidge) 
Martin. The parents were both born in this count}" about 1801, and married about 1826. 
The father dying in 1831, the mother afterward married Jesse Garnett, a native of 
Mississippi, who died a couple years later. The mother died in August, 1855. Soon after 
his father's death, our subject made his home with his grandparents Sandidge, and 
remained with them until fifteen years old, when his mother returned to housekeeping. 
He lived with her until his marriage in 1853, to Sarah Horton. He then embarked in the 
mercantile business at Salem, this county, which he continued until 1876. He then fol- 
lowed farming near Maxwell, until the year 1881, at which date he began the mer- 
cantile business at Maxwell, in which he has been interested since. The marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Martin was blessed with the birth of five children, three of whom are now living. 
The mother of these children died December 16, 1885. Mr. Martin and family are mem- 
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

JOHN W. MASON, a leading merchant of Decherd, Tenn., was born in Franklin 
County, October 18, 1858. His parents were James and Melviua (Buckner) Mason, both 
natives of Franklin County. The father was at one time sheriff of this county, but now 
lives in Alabama. The mother is yet living near Decherd. John W. Mason was reared 
on a farm and received his education in the common schools of the county. When about 
thirteen years old he began clerking for Lenehan & Holland and continued with them 
for eight or nine years. He then succeeded his employers in business. He has been verj' 
successful, and now carries about $8,000 in stock, transacting a business of about $2,000 
annually. He began with nothing but what he had earned himself, and is an ex- 
ample of a self-made successful man. His marriage ceremony was solemnized January 
21, 1880, uniting him to Miss Laura Hines, a native of this county. Four children have 
blessed this union, whose names are as follows: Ward, Clara, Mary and Buford. Mr. 
Mason and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics. 

CAPT. STEPHEN D. MATHER was born in Penn. in 1842, and is one of a family 
of five born to Daniel and Roxana (Underwood) Mather. When five years of age he went to 
Illinois with his parents, who died in 1885 and 1859; father and mother, ninety and sixty 
years of age, repectively; both of old New England Puritan stock. Our subject remained 
with his parents until his majority, and graduated at Cornell College, Iowa, receiving the 
degree of A. B., in 1860, and since, A. M. At the commencement of the war he enlisted 
in the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry and was orderly sergeant, and afterward captain and 
quartermaster. He remained until the close, participating in the whole campaign of the 
Cumberland, once being taken prisoner at Nashville, but soon escaped, walking by night 
tlirough to the Ohio River. In 1867, he came to Franklin County, Tenn., which place 
had attracted his attention and admiration during the war, buying at first 300 acres with 
the expectation of starting a colony for Northern settlers. Owing to the political diflS- 
cullies which for a time disturbed the South, his first intentions were never carried out, 
although bj" his influence this section (around Belvidere) has been settled mainly by 
thrifty, enterprising Northern farmers, who, by systematic farming, with the use of 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. ^ 835 

fertillizers and systematic rotation of crops, have given the place no little fame as being 
the "garden spot of Tennessee." In 1866 he married Rebecca Stamper, a native of the 
county. To this marriage four children have been born, two of whom are still living — 
Bessie and Nellie. Mr. Mather met with the bereavement of the loss of his wife on June 
29, 1880. Politically, Mr. Mather is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the State 
Republican Executive Committee, and he is a firm believer in the principles of pro- 
hibition. 

HON. LEWIS METCALFE, the oldest living member of the Franklin County bar, 
was born in Lexington, Ky., February 23, 1818. His father, Barnett Metcalfe, was born 
in Fauquier County, Virginia, and when young went to Kentucky, where he married 
Letitia Martin, a native of Jessamine County, of that State. The father was a farmer and 
merchant. He removed to Huntsville, Ala., in 1822, and afterward to Fayetteville, Tenn. 
There Lewis began the study of medicine. He afterward attended Medical College at 
Lexington, Ky., graduating in that institution. He then engaged in the practice of med- 
icine for ten years in Franklin County, Tenn., and in Mississippi. Returning to Frank- 
lin County from Mississippi he read law, and in 1852 was admitted to the bar, and since 
then has practiced law in Franklin County, having attained prominence in his profession. 
He is highly educated. He was elected to the Senate of Tennessee, in 1884, and has 
held that oflfice one term. He was married, in 1843, to Miss Sarah A. Stamper, a native of 
North Carolina, who came to this county when young. This union was blessed in the 
birth of one daughter. She became grown, graduated in the Mary Sharp College, and 
died on April 9, 1865, at the very hour of Lee's surrender. Mrs. Metcalfe is a member of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Metcalfe was a Whig before the 
war; since then he has been a Democrat. 

JACOB MIESCHER, an extensive and influential farmer of Franklin County, Tenn., 
is one of two children born to the marriage of Peter and Elizabeth Miescher. Our sub- 
ject was born in Switzerland November 23, 1822, and with his parents came to America 
in 1853, and located in Wayne County, Ohio, where the parents passed the remainder of 
their lives. The father died in August, 1865, and the mother in June, 1855. July 6, 1847, 
our subject married Elizabeth Reinhard, who was also born in Switzerland. Two sons 
and one daughter were born to this union, two of whom were born and died in Switzer- 
land. In 1870 Mr. Miescher came to Tennessee to choose a home. He made a second 
visit in 1871, and still another in 1872. On his last visit he purchased the home where he 
now lives, a splendid farm of 180 acres, which he has greatly improved. Since that time 
he has added 600 acres to the original tract. Mr. Miescher has been an exceptionally suc- 
cessful man, and is identified with the Democratic party, and he and family are members 
of the German Reformed Church. 

SAMUEL M. MILLER, a farmer of Franklin County, living in the Tenth District, was 
an only child born to Montgomery C. and Melvinie (Buckner) Miller. He was born in 
Franklin County, Tenn., June 30, 1850. The father, Montgomery C. Miller, was also 
born in this county, where he lived all his life. He, the father, departed this life to join 
the innumerable dead in 1850, having been a farmer throughout his life. Samuel M. was 
reared to the years of maturity with an uncle. He then bought the farm whereon he now 
resides. He chose his helpmeet in the person of Joan Hines, daughter of I.F. Hines, 
one of Franklin County's prominent pioneer settlers. The marriage ceremony was sol- 
emnized in September, 1872. This union has been blessed in the birth of four sons, one 
of whom is deceased, and one daughter. Those now living are Walter, Montgomery, 
Burk and Leuvinie. In political affairs Mr. Miller cooperates with the Democratic party. 
Mrs. Miller is a member of the Baptist Church. 

JEFFERSON D. MILLER was born July 14, 1861, in Franklin County, Tenn., and 
is one of a family of nine children born to the matrimonial union of John H. and Nancy 
(Brazelton) Miller. The father was born in Franklin County in 1834. At the commence- 
ment of the late war he enlisted in the First Tennessee Infantry, but owing to bad health 
he was discharged at the end of six months. The mother is also a native of this county. 



836 BIOGBAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Both parents are yet living. Jefferson D. remained with his parents to the age of twenty- 
one, when he accepted the position of telegraph operator at Cowan, which position he has 
ever since held. He has also been the regular correspondent of the Franklin County News 
for two years. In February, 1881, he married Miss Fannie Miller, a native of Bullock 
County, Ala. One daughter, Lilly Corene, has blessed this union. Both Mr. Miller and 
his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

JNO. C. MONTGOMERY, a prominent citizen of Franklin County, was born Sep- 
tember 24, 1820, in this county, being the only child born to the marriage of William 
H. Montgomery and Susan Cowan. The father was born about the year 1795, in Blount 
County, Tenn., and in 1806 came to Franklin County, where he followed farming until 
his death in October, 1829, his wife having preceded him to her long home in October, 
1820. The subject of this sketch lived with his grandparents till attaining the years of 
majority. He was elected constable of the Tenth District in 1842 and taught school in 
1844. Soon afterward he bought the farm on which he has ever since lived. He was 
elected justice of the peace in 1846, which office he held for eighteen years. On January 
15, 1850, he married Nancy Cowan, daughter of James P. Cowan, an old pioneer of 
Franklin County, who was born December 1, 1792, and died April 7, 1862. To the above 
marriage were born nine children, five of whom are still living. The names of those now 
living are: William M., born in 1850; James C, born in 1853; Mary A., born in 1856; 
Ellen, born in 1863; and Kittie born in 1869. Squire Montgomery is a firm Democrat in 
politics. He is a thoroughly self-made man, having begun life with nothing, and by thrift 
and economy has become a well-to-do farmer, now owning 300 acres of fine land. Besides 
this his wife owns 100 acres. Both Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are members of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church. 

HORATIO R. MOORE, an enterprising and intelligent citizen of this county, was 
born near Florence, Lauderdale County, Ala., in 1833. He is of a family of five sons and 
two daughters that has been remarkably well preserved. The brothers — John J., Robert 
J.. Hugh B. and James Knox Moore, and the sisters — Mrs. Sarah Millican and Mrs. 
Rebecca Patrick, are all living. Two of the brothers were wounded during the war, but 
all are now in good health, and the youngest is now over forty-one years old. The 
father, Stephen R. Moore, was born in Moore County, N. C, a county that was named 
for his grandfather, Robert Moore, who was a native of Ireland, and who came to Amer- 
ica with his father, Patrick, and his brothers, Hugh and Patrick, and settled in South 
Carolina, and subsequently moved to North Carolina, where he lived at the breaking out 
of the war of 1776. He belonged to the Colonial Army and fell just before the close of 
the war at Guilford's Court House in Marion's command. Stephen, with his father, 
mother, brothers and sisters, left North Carolina and settled among the pioneers of north 
Alabama in the year 1820. The mother, Lucy (McDougal) Moore, was born in Cumber- 
land County, N. C, and settled in north Alabama about the year 1820* with her parents. 
The parents of our subject were married in Alabama in 1829, and lived in that productive 
section till 1837, at which time they settled in north Mississippi, where they prospered 
farming. The mother died in 1845. The father never married a second time. His home 
fell within the Federal lines in 1863. He was taken North with many others of that 
section, and put in prison because he was true to his convictions, as a Southern citizen, 
where he died in 1864. Our subject was a regular laborer on the farm, occasionally at- 
tending the old style schools of that section till 1853, at which time he left home, without 
the approval of many friends, with the view of enjoying better educational advantages 
than that country afforded. He soon entered Franklin College, near Nashville, where he 
remained working and teaching during vacations till he completed the course of study 
and graduated in 1857. He then returned to Mississippi and taught till the fall of 1860. 
On the 5th of September of that year he and Miss Annie Hunt, with whom he became ac- 
quainted while students at Franklin College, were married in this county. After a short 
stay in Mississippi they returned to Huntland, where they have lived ever since. Our 
subject entered as a partner into the mercantile business with his wife's father, Clinton 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 837 

A. Hunt, who is reputed to be the first white child born in Franklin County. The civil 
war soon put a stop to this undertaking. Insecure farming was then tried, next the Con- 
federate service was entered, which ended with the surrender of Forrest's command in 
May, 1865. He at once went to farming, and has been busily engaged in this business on 
his 400 acre farm that lies adjacent to Huntland, on the Fayetteville branch of the Nash- 
ville, Chatanooga & St. Louis Railroad, ever since. He has at times been connected with 
the mercantile business, and is now secretary and treasurer of the the Fall Mills Manu- 
facturing Company. He represented Franklin County in the General Assembly of the 
State in 1873-74, and has always taken an interest the public enterprises and issues of the 
country. He and his good wife are members of the Christian Church. They have had 
born to them seven sons and five daughters, the names of whom we give consecutively in 
this connection: Barclay D., Miss Elma, Miss Lou, William L., Miss Annie, Miss Mamie, 
Hugh B., Hunt C, Knox J., Horatio R., Miss Lexie and Tom P. Moore. 

T. F. MOSELEY, a well known and popular old pioneer of Franklin County, Tenn., 
was born in the " Palmetto State" November 28, 1816, and is one of two children living 
out of a family of seven born to the marriage of George Moseley and Nancy Wakefield. 
The father was born in South Carolina and the mother in North Carolina. They came 
to Tennessee in 1818, and located on Bean Creek November 28 of that year. Our sub- 
ject's paternal grandparents preceded them to Tennessee two years. Our subject made 
his home with his parents until nineteen years of age, and then accepted a clerkship in 
& general merchandise store at Salerb, Tenn., receiving $50 for his first year's service, 
$100 for his second, and $150 for his third. He soon after took an interest in the business, 
continuing until 1841. December 12, 1839, he wedded Arie V. Simmons, and then located 
on the farm, where he still resides. The mother was born November 6, 1820, and died 
July 4, 1879, 'having borne eleven children. May 10, 1881, Mrs. Lucy (Dean) Noblett be- 
came his wife. She was born in South Carolina January 28, 1824, and died July 18. 1884- 

HON. JOHNR. OLIVER, an active business man of Franklin County,at Estill Springs, 
was born January 17, 1837, in Tishamingo County, Miss. His parents were R. H. and 
Malinda Myra (Petty) Oliver. The father was born in Franklin County, Tenn., his father 
having emigrated from Virginia at a very early date. The father of our subject lived in 
his native county all his life, except about three years, which time he lived in Mississippi. 
He was a very prominent citizen, having been deputy sheriff of the county. His death 
occurred in 1837, and the mother's death about four years later. John R. was then 
reared with an only sister by an uncle, Lanson Rowe, a very prominent and public spir- 
ited citizen of Franklin County. He received his education at Irving College, Warren 
Co., Tenn., graduating in 1858. He then engaged in teaching as principal in the county 
academy at Woodbury, Cannon Co., Tenn., till the war. He then enlisted in Company 
E, Thirty-second Tennessee, and served in that company until the battle of Fort Donelson. 
Being absent from his command he was not captured with his company. He then joined 
Company K, Forty-fourth Tennessee. He was elected first lieutenant just before the bat- 
tle of Shiloh, and acted as captain through that battle, afterward being promoted captain 
of the company, commanding it until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he was 
appointed captain of an engineer corps in A. P. Stuart's Division, and was on detached 
service on Gen. Stuart's staff until the close of the war, being paroled at Greensboro, N. 
C. He then resumed his profession at Woodbury, as principal of that school, until 1867, 
when he removed to Estill Springs and engaged in merchandising, and by thrift and 
energy has been very successful. He deals in railroad timber supplies and carries on 
farming very extensively, now owning about 1,000 acres of good land. He owns an in- 
terest in a store at Marble Hill, Moore County, and is the agent for the Nashville Chat- 
tanooga & St. Louis Railroad at Estill Springs. He was married, December 22, 1858, to 
Miss Callie McFerrin, oldest daughter of A. F. McFerrin, of Woodbury, Tenn. Mr. Oliver 
has a family of five children: Robert A., Joseph L., Eliza C, Myra S. and Ida M. Robert 
A. is married and has two children, and lives in Nashville. He is a traveling salesman. 
The subject of this sketch and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 



838 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

South. Mr. Oliver is a member of the F. & A. M. Besides being an active and popular 
business man Mr. Oliver has interested himself in the public affairs and represented 
Franklin County in the Legislature in 1876-77. 

R. C. PATRICK was born in Madison County, Ky., in 1825, and is one of a family of 
ten children born to Jno. R. and Matilda (Callaway) Patrick. The father was born in Vir- 
ginia in 1797, and moved to Kentucky while young, and was married in Franklin County, 
Tenn., after which they returned to Kentucky, but moved to this county about 1827, where 
he farmed and followed merchandising imtil his death, which occurred in 1847. The 
mother was born in this county in 1807, and died here in the county, where she lived all her 
life. Our subject remained with his parents until 1849, when he went to California, and 
engaged in mining about a year, after which he returned to Franklin County, Tenn., em- 
barking in the mercantile line at Salem, where he remained nine years; then he moved to 
Maxwell, and took Franklin County census of 1860, after which he farmed for about seven 
years; but again embarked in merchandising, this time at Maxwell, about 1867, which he 
continued twelve years He has also been acting as agent for the Winchester & Alabama 
Railroad at this point, since its reconstruction after he war. August, 1854, he married Mary 
M. Clements, native of this State. This union has been blessed by the birth of five chil- 
dren, four of whom are still living — Anna, Emma, John and Jesse. 

JOHN A. RUCH, a farmer of this county, was born September 28, 1842, in Holmes 
Countj', Ohio. The parents, Jacob and Magdelene Ruch, were both natives of Switzer- 
land, and came to America about 1835, locating in Ohio, where they remained all their 
lives farming. The mother died in 1870, the father in 1876. Our subject remained with 
his parents until the commencement of the war, and then joined the Nineteenth Ohio 
Infantry, with which command he remained throughout the war, participating in the bat- 
tles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Nashville and Atlanta, escap- 
ing without a wound, there being but one other who had been with the command all the 
time so fortunate. After the war he returned home and engaged in the saw-milling busi- 
ness seven years. In 1868 he married Anna Graber, a native of Ohio, to which union four 
children have been born. In 1872 he, with his family, moved to Franklin County, Tenn., 
locating on the farm where he now lives. Since 1876 he, with others of his neighborhood, 
began the use of bone fertilizers, which, with thorough cultivation and systematic rotation 
of crops, has given the Belvidere settlement fame as an agricultural district. Politically 
Mr. Ruch is a Republican and a firm supporter of the principles of prohibition. He and 
his family are members of the German Reformed Church. 

WM. M. RUTLEDGE was born in Roane County,Teun. inl848,and is one of a family 
of six children born to Geo. P. and Delia (Tedford) Rutledge. The father was born in Sulli- 
van County, Tenn., June, 1813, and followed farming in that and Blount Counties until 
about 1861, when he moved to Spalding County, Ga., and from there in 1865, to Huntland, 
Franklin Co., Tenn., at which place he embarked in merchandising, and continued that until 
a short time before his death, which occurred in February, 1884. The mother, a native of 
Alabama, preceded him May 11, 1878. Wm. M., the subject of this sketch, remained 
with his parents until their death, and in 1878 he began merchandising for himself, and 
in partnership with Geo. C. Rutledge carries a splendid line of general merchandise at 
Huntland, this county. In November, 1879 he married Martitia Staples, daughter of Jno. W. 
Staples, of this county. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of two children, both 
girls: Roxie and Nettie, both still living. Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge are active members of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rutledge has always been a Democrat, and 
is a strong advocate of the principles of prohibition. 

LARKIN R. SARTAIN was born September 18, 1832, in Franklin County, Ga., be- 
ing one of a family of three sons and two daughters, the fruits of the marriage of Elijah 
Sartain and Sarah Williams. The father was a native of Georgia, and died about 1850, at 
Barnesville, in his native State. The mother was born in North Carolina, and died 
March ll,1862,in Franklin County, Tenn., whither she had removed in 1857. The subject of 
this sketch came to Franklin County, Tenn., before the war, and has ever since been em- 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 839 

ployed as engineer on the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad. During the war he 
was employed in hauling supplies for the Confederate Army, the above named railroad 
Company having all their rolling stock then in the South. Mr. Sartain has met with two 
very narrow escapes with his life, having twice gone through bridges, each accident oc- 
casioning several deaths. He each time escaped injury, but afterward met with an acci- 
dent on November 6, 1875, which cost him a leg. November 6, 1873, he was united in 
marriage to Jenney Hawkins, the result of this union being four daughters, viz. : Clara, 
Nettie, Eleanor and Daisy. Before the war Mr. Sartain was a Whig, but since the war 
he has been a Democrat. He is now an advocate of prohibition. Both himself and wife 
are members of the Christian Church at Cowan, where they reside, 

DR. J. C. SHAPARD, one of the leading physicians of Winchester, was born August 
30, 1833, in Rutherford County, Tenn. His father, James P. Shapard, was born in North 
Carolina, and immigrated to Rutherford County, Tenn., when very young. He was a 
merchant, and lived in Rutherford County till near his death, when he removed to 
Texas, where he died in 1850. The mother also died in Texas in 1875. Dr. Shapard was 
the oldest of ten children. When a young man he came to Winchester and conducted 
merchandising for his father two years. He began the study of medicine when twen- 
ty-two years of age, and soon entered the practice. He attended one course of lectures 
at Louisville, and then, in 1859, graduated in the medical department of the Vanderbilt 
University. He then entered upon the practice of medicine in Franklin County. In 1863 
he removed to Winchester, where he has ever since continued, and has been justly suc- 
cessful. He was married, in 1846, to Miss Elivira Clark, of Bedford County, Tenn. This 
union has been blessed in the birth of seven children, six of whom are living, viz.: Me- 
lissa H., wife of J. W. Thornton, of Chattanooga; Mary E., the one who died; Henry 

C, Thomas N., Charles J., Leonora and Florence. Dr. Shapard and two of his sons and 
three daughters are members of the Episcopal Church, and his wife and youngest daugh- 
ter are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr. Shapard is a firm Demo- 
crat in politics, and is a valuable citizen of Franklin County. 

E. E. SHERWOOD, senior member of the firm of Sherwood & Whittemore. is a son 
of C. D. Sherwood, who, in 1875, organized a colony of settlers at Sherwood, Tenn. C. 

D. Sherwood was born in 1833, in Connecticut, where he was reared. In his native State 
he married Miss Charlotte Ferriss, and in a few years he moved to Minnesota, where he 
remained until 1875, attaining prominence in political circles in that State. He has been 
a member of both branches of the Legislature of Minnesota, and was lieutenant-governor 
of that State one term. The subject of this sketch was born in 1861, being the second of 
the family. He remained with his parents till coming to Tennessee, when he opened his 
mercantile business, in which he has been very successful. He was united in marriage, 
in 1884, to Miss Esther Foote, also a native of Connecticut. One son, Ambrose E;, has 
blessed this union. Walter D. Whittemore, of the firm of Sherwood & Whittemore, was 
born in Minnesota in 1861, being the son of Reuben and Nancy (West) Whittemore, na- 
tives of Massachusetts. The father is a farmer and stock-raiser. He removed from Mas- 
sachusetts to Rushford, Minn., where he lived until removing to Sherwood, where he now 
lives. In the spring of 1886 Walter D. entered the firm of Sherwood & Whittemore. This 
firm carries a stock of about $3,000 and transacts a yearly business of about 1 15, 000. Both 
are young men of business ability and are highly respected. 

JOSEPH A. SHORT, the present superintendent of the Tennessee Iron, Coal & Railroad 
Company's works at Cowan, was born April 13, 1850, in Rowan County, Tenn. His parents 
were George W. and Eliza (Parks) Short; they being parents of fourteen children. The 
father is a native of Virginia, the mother of Tennessee. They now reside in Roane County, 
Tenn., where the father follows farming, having formerly been engaged in iron interests 
in Roane County. The subject of this sketch remained with his pwents to the age of nine- 
teen, when he engaged in the iron business in his native county for four years. He was 
then engaged in the same business in Dade County, Ga., about three and a half years. 
He then went to Dickson County, Tenn., still in the iron business, remaining there a few 



840 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

months. Thence he went to the Chattanooga Furnace for a few months; thence to Bax- 
ter County, Ga., in the employ of a New York Iron Company for one year. In 1881, he 
took charge of his present business at Cowan, where he now resides. He was united in 
marriage, in 1871, to Miss Caroline Underwood, a native of Roane County, Tenn., the fruits 
of this union being two children, viz. : Michael and Cora. This wife died at her parents' 
home in Roane County, Tenn., in 1875. In 1879, Mr. Short married Lizzie Allison, a na- 
tive of Alabama. 

GEN. FRANCIS A. SHOUP, D. D., professor of physics and engineering in the Uni- 
versity of the South, was born in Laurel, Franklin Co., Ind., March 22, 1834. His 
father, George Grove Shoup, was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of In- 
diana, and for many years was a member of the Legislature of that State. He was an 
extensive merchant, and was a man of large property. The maternal grandfather of Gen. 
Shoup, James Conwell, was also a man of large property. He founded the town of Laurel, 
Ind., and was for a number of years a member of the Legislature. When Gen. Shoup 
was nineteen years old his father died, and about three years later his mother died. He 
was educated in the Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., and in the Military Academy, 
West Point, N. Y., which latter place he entered in 1851, graduating in 1855. He was 
then assigned second lieutenant of the First United States Artillerys, resigning in 1859. 
He then went to Indianapolis and began the practice of law. There he organized a com- 
pany of zouaves. He then went to Florida and was commissioned in the regular army, 
Confederate States, and when the volunteer Confederate Army was raised he was 
made major of artillery, his first service being at Mobile Bay. He was then ordered to 
the Trans-Mississippi Department, and served through the early part of the war with 
Hardee's army, chief of artillery, and was senior officer of artillery in the battle of Shiloh. 
After this battle he was made chief of artillery in Beauregard's army. He was again 
ordered to the Trans-Mississippi Department with Gen. Hindman; was appointed briga- 
dier-general, and commanded a division in the fight of Prairie Grove. Afterward he was 
ordered to the command of the harbor of Mobile; thence to the army at Vicksburg, where 
he commanded a brigade during the siege and at the surrender. After being exchanged 
he was again ordered to the defense of Mobile; thence to J. E. Johnston's army at Dalton, 
Ga. ; and was chief of artillery through the campaign before Atlanta. He designed and 
executed an original sj'stem of fortifications at the Chattahoochee, which was very effect- 
ual in repelling all attacks, and which has been much admired by great artillery officers. 
Gen. Shoup was then made chief of Gen. Hood's staff, upon the appointment of the latter 
officer. After the war he was elected to the chair of physics in the University of Missis- 
sippi (Oxford, Miss.), and while there took orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church. 
He was elected to the chair of mathematics in the University of the South, at Sewanee, 
in 1870. In 1874 he took a parish in the diocese of Albany, N. Y., and was made canon 
in the All Saints Cathedral, Albany, N. Y. In 1877 he returned to the South, and was in 
charge of Christ Church. New Orleans, for a time. He was elected to the chair which he 
now fills in 1883. Dr. Shoup was married in 1871 to Miss Esther H. Elliott, daughter of 
the late Bishop Elliott of Georgia. He has a family of three children: Francis, Charlotte 
and Stephen. Dr. Shoup received the degree of D. D. from the University of the South 
in 1880. 

JOHN SIMMONS, one of Winchester's prominent attorneys, was born April 28, 1846, 
in Franklin County, Tenn. His father, George Simmons, was a farmer of the county, 
and died in November, 1867. His mother was n»e Mary Fancy. The paternal grand- 
father of John Simmons was William Simmons, who came to this county in the very 
early settlement of this part of the State. The maternal grandparents were French and 
Scotch-Irish; the paternal grandparents were English and German. The subject of this 
sketch received but a common school education. He remained on the farm till two yearg 
after the war, and then worked about at different vocations for a few years. In 1869 he 
began reading law at home, and in 1871 he was admitted to the bar, and has since been 
engaged in the practice of law. He was married, December 18, 1873, to Miss Anna Pen- 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 841 

nington, the result of this union being one son, Pennington. Mr. Simmons is a firm 
Democrat, and always has been, his ancestors having been old-line Whigs. His grand- 
father, Fancy, made the first donation to the Vanderbilt University in the sum of $1,000. 

A. J. SKIDMORE, the trustee of Franklin County, Tenn., vras born November 2, 
1839, within one mile of where he now lives, being one of the family of children born to 
the marriage of William Skidmore and Sallie Keith. The father was a native of North 
Carolina; he immigrated to this county about 1813, and died in 1862, having been a 
farmer. The mother was born in Franklin County, Tenn., and she died in 1874. Mr. A. 
J. Skidmore was reared on a farm. At the age of nineteen he enlisted in Company I, 
Turney's First Tennessee, Confederate States Arm}^ and was in the service about two 
years, and was discharged on account of disability. After the war he married and settled 
down to farming, where he has ever since resided, owning 135 acres of land three miles 
from Winchester. He also taught school about eight years after the war. He was elected 
in 1875 to the ofiice of county assessor, which he held one term. In 1874 he was elected 
county trustee, and has filled his term of office with efficiency. He was married, in 1865, 
to Miss Sarah Jane Sells, the results of this union being five children, viz. : Mar}^ J., Laura 
E., Bettie S., James F. and Hattie S. This wife died in 1874, and in 1878 he was married 
to Miss Nira Terry, of Jackson County, Ala. Five children have been born to this union, 
viz. : Maggie, Estella, Mattie and two unnamed. Mr. Skidmore, his wife and four chil- 
dren are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a firm Democrat and 
always has been. He is a self-made, substantial citizen of the county. 

DR. FLAVEL B. SLOAN, a prominent physician of Franklin County, was born in 
Polk County, Tenn., March 12, 1844. He was one of a family of eleven children born to 
James and Susan (Brown) Sloan. The father w^as born January 27, 1803, in Blount 
County, Tenn., and died October 15, 1880, in Polk County, Tenn., where he had followed 
farming all his life and having been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for fifty years- 
The parents of our subject were married November 15, 1827. The mother was born in 
Rockbridge County, Va., October 14, 1808, and died August 31, 1875, in Polk Couoty, 
Tenn. Dr. Sloan was reared on a farm till the commencement of the war. when he joined 
the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, in which he served six months and was discharged on 
account of bad health. In 1863 he again joined his command, and was afterward detailed 
private scout, fii'st for Johnston and afterward for Hood. After the Tennessee campaign 
he again joined his company in South Carolina, and served in that until the surrender of 
Johnston's army. From 1865 to 1869 he attended the McNutt's Academy at Franklin, 
Tenn., where he also read medicine. He then attended the medical department of the 
University during the sessions of 1869-70 and 1870-71. He then began practicing in 
Franklin County where he has since followed his profession. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

GEN. E. KIRBY SMITH was born in St. Augustine, Fla., in 1824, being a son of 
Judge J. L. Smith, presiding judge of the United States Court in Florida. He was grad- 
uated from the West Point Military Academy, in the class of 1845. Almost immediately 
he was ordered to Corpus Christi, and before the age of twenty-one began his military ca- 
reer. He was before Vera Cruz, and at the first battles of Resaca de la Palma and Palo 
Alto. He was mentioned in the official report of John Mcintosh, of the Fifth Infantry, 
for his brave conduct. He received two brevets in the campaign, one for the battle of 
Cerro Gordo, where he was one of the first to scale the heights, and one for gallant and 
meritorious conduct at Contreras. He was appointed instructor of mathematics at the 
military academy (West Point, N. Y.) for three years, and was .selected to join the bound- 
ary commission, under Maj. Emory, in which service he received a high compliment in 
Maj. Emory's official report. On the organization of the cavalry he received the appoint- 
ment of captain, high on the list, and was ordered to Texas, where he served ten years, 
eleven times successfully engaging the Indians, and was sevlferely wounded in one engage- 
ment. On the secession of Florida he offered his services to the governor of that State. 
At this time he was lieutenant-colonel of cavalry. Returning from Texas he received. 



842 ** BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

first an appointment as major of artillery in the Confederate service, and afterward that 
of lieutenant-colonel of cavalry. He was ordered to Lynchburg, Va., to muster in troops, 
and on Gen. Joseph E. Johnston taking command of Harper's Ferry, he accompanied him 
as chief-of-staff. After the evacuation of Harper's Ferry he received from President Da- 
vis the commission of brigadier-general. He was shot while gallantly leading a charge at 
Manassas, and was carried to the rear. Recovering from the wound he was assigned to 
the Department of Tennessee, Kentucky and the mountain region of North Carolina and 
Alabama. He led the advance into Kentucky, winning the victory at Richmond. He 
was then assigned to the command of the Trans-Mississippi Department, and defeated 
Banks, on Red River, and Steele, in Arkansas. He was the last general to surrender in 
the war. After the war he was president of the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company, 
and built the lines from Cincinnati to New Orleans. He was appointed vice-chancellor 
of the University of Nashville, and reopened that institution after the war. In 1874 he 
came to Sewanee as professor of mathematics, and has since filled that chair. He was 
married, in 1861, to Miss Cassie Selden, of Virginia, the fruits of this union being eleven 
children, all now living. 

JOHN M. STEWART was born in Franklin County July 25, 1847, being one of two 
sons, the progeny of Anthony and Rebecca (Holland) Stewart. The father was a native 
of Tennessee, and lived and died in Franklin County. The mother was born in Alabama, 
but was reared from childhood in Franklin County, where she died in about 1857. The 
subject of this sketch lived with his grandfather, in this county, from the age of ten to 
that of sixteen. In 1867 he had learned telegraphy, and then accepted the position of 
operator ia the employ of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad until 1875, 
when he was appointed local agent at Cowan, where he has since resided and yet holds 
the same position. He was married, November 16, 1870, to Elizabeth Brazelton, the fruits 
of this union being six children, of whom four are living. Their names are Venna, Leala, 
Myra, Sterling, Orlin and an infant, the last two being deceased. The mother of these 
children died September 16, 1882, and October 6, 1884, Mr. Stewart was married to Mrs. 
Mattie Sherrill, nee Shook. To this union one son has been born, James S. Mi'- Stewart 
has recently built himself a very fine residence— the best in Cowan. He is a man of pub- 
lic spirit and, has done much for the up-building of Cowan, especially for the schools, etc. 
Both himself and Mrs. Stewart are very highly respected. Mrs. Stewart is a member of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN W. SYLER, the surveyor of Franklin County, was born April 23, 1835, in this 
count}', being a son of Jacob and Jane (Thompson) Syler, natives of Franklin County, 
Tenn., and North Carolina, respectively. The grandfather was John Syler, who came 
from Rockbridge, County, Va., in 1812, and settled in the west part of this county. Here 
he reared his family, all the Sylers of the county being descendants of his. Jacob 
Syler, like his father, was a farmer, a man of ordinary means. The mother came from 
her native State to this county when young and lived all her remaining life in Franklin 
County. Jolm W. Syler, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm. He attended 
and graduated from the Davidson College, of North Carolina, and then entered the pro- 
fession of teaching. For about ten years he was professor of mathematics, languages and 
science in the Robert Donald College, at Winchester, Tenn. He then taught the Carrick 
Academy, of Winchester, for many years, being engaged in the profession of teaching al- 
together about twenty years. He has also carried on farming all the time since he was a 
young man. He now owns about 10,000 acres of wild land. He has been superintendent 
of public instruction in this county for many years. In 1878 he was elected countj' sur- 
veyor of Franklin County, and now holds that oflice. From 1869 to 1872 he was engaged 
in merchandising. He was married, in 1853, to Miss E. V. Mann, the fruits of this union 
being ten children, eight of whom are now living, and six of whom are grown, viz. : Mol- 
lie L. (wife of Peter Weir, of Texas), J. F., Annie V. (wife of Fred Heep, of Texas). 
Bettie J. (wife of J. C. Arledge), John T., Emma, Walter S. and M. R. Mr. Syler is a 
Blue Lodge Mason. Politically he is a firm Democrat. 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 848 

WILLIAM E. TAYLOR, clerk of the county court was born January 14, 1824, one 
and one-half miles south of "Winchester, his parents being James and Milly (MuUins) 
Taylor, natives of Virginia and North Carolina respectively. The parents were married 
in Virginia, and removed to eastern Kentucky, from where they emigrated to Franklin 
County, Tenn., in 1810. The father died in 1866, having been a farmer and was born 
in 1781. The mother was born in 1784 and died in 1868. William E. was reared on a 
farm. When twenty-three years of age he was elected clerk of the county court, and held 
the office ten years and three months before the war. During the war he was engaged in 
farming, and continued in that pursuit until 1882 when he was re-elected to the clerkship 
of the county court. He was married July 25, 1855, to Malinda J. Turney, daughter of 
Hopkins L. Turney. He has a family of eight children, viz: James, Hop. T., Dick, Mary 
E., Milly, Ellen, Orpha, and Jennie. Mr. Taylor is a stanch Democrat, and a highly 
respected citizen of the county. 

CHARLES H. WADHAMS was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1828. When sixteen 
years of age he left home and went to London, where he became one of the Queen's Light 
Guards. Three days after the death of the Duke of Wellington he embarked for America, 
landing at New York. He then went to Lake George, and there became the chief steward 
of the noted hotel, William Henry, for six years. Leaving there he removed to Nashville, 
Tenn., and was steward in different leading hotels of that city. Then he had charge of 
Gen. Hood'sbakery while his army was there, and then of Gen. Thomas' bakery after he had 
taken the city. After the war he went to Atlanta, Ga., and there worked in the American 
House, thence to Lookout Mountain for two months. He then removed to Franklin. 
Williamson Co., Tenn., remaining there five years in the bakery and confectionery busi- 
ness. He then came to Sewanee at the solicitation of the university dean in 1871, and 
engaged in his present business. He was married January 1, 1853, to Elizabeth Gibson, 
of Scotland. This union has been blessed in the birth of one child, Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wadhams are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Wadhams is a Dem- 
ocrat. He is enterprising, and commands the respect of the people who know him. 

JOHN W. WEBER, head-master of the grammar school in Sewanee, Tenn., was born 
in Columbia, Maury Co., Tenn., May 2, 1853. He is a son of Henri Weber and M. I. 
Weber. During the sessions of 1870 and 1872 he attended the Edgefield Male Academy, 
and entered the University of the South as a student September 12, 1872. He was elected 
fifth assistant in the grammar school in March, 1877, and fourth assistant in 1878, first 
assistant in 1879, and head-master in 1881, which position he now holds and is filling in a 
very satisfactory manner. He was married, March 18, 1879, to Maud J. Graves, daughter 
of Henry and Susan Graves, of Davidson County, Tenn. 

M. N. WHITAKER, of the law firm of Estill & Whitaker, was born in Lincoln 
County, Tenn., January 29, 1860. His father was Newton Whitaker, a native of Lincoln 
County, Tenn., a farmer by occupation and a man of financial means. He, the father, 
died in August, 1879. The mother is yet living near Mulberry, Lincoln Co., Tenn., on 
the old homestead. Our subject was reared on a farm, and was educated mainly in the 
Mulberry Academy of his native county. He began reading law when nineteen years of 
age, and entered the practice of his profession when twenty-one. In Januar}', 1883, he 
located in Winchester in his present partnership. He was married, October 15, 1885, to 
Miss Florence J. Griffin. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker are both members of the Missionary 
Baptist Church. Mr. Whitaker is a firm Democrat in politics. 

GREENOUGH WHITE. Ferdinand Eliot White was born in 1788, and was a mer- 
chant in the city of Boston. He was graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., 
in 1854. He was twice married, his second wife being Dorothy Gardner, who was born 
in 1799, and a niece of Madam Hancock. To them were born four daughters and three 
sons, our subject's father, John Gardner White, being born in 1833. Our subject's mater- 
nal grandfather, George Beach, was born in 1788, and for many years was president of 
the Phoenix Bank in the ci-ty of Hartford. For his second wife he married Maria, daugh- 
ter of C. Nichols, of Hartford. She was born in 1799. One of. her sisters married George 



844 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Beach, Jr., the eldest of Grandfather Beach's seven sons by his first marriage, and another 
sister became the wife of Isaac Toucy, Senator and Secretary of the Navy under James 
Buchanan. Our subject's mother was a Miss Beach. She was married to John Gardner 
White in June, 1862, and our subject, Greenough White, was born on September 17, 1863, 
it being the anniversary of the death of his uncle, William Greenough White, on the bat- 
tle-field of Antietam. Greenougli, our subject, was prepared for entrance to Harvard 
College at the private school of G. W. C. Noble, of Boston, and entered the university in 
the autumn of 1880, and in June, 1884, he received his degree as B. A. {eu7n laude, and 
with honorable mention in English). Through the following year he pursued courses in 
literature, ecclesiastical history and the history of art. and was graduated as Master of 
Arts in June, 1885. In the same month he was appointed assistant professor of modern 
languages in the University of the South. 

B. LAWTON WIGGINS was born in Sand Ridge, Berkeley Co., S. C, September 11, 
1861. His father was James Wiggins, Esq., planter. His mother was the daughter of 
Col. William Millard, for many years State senator in ante bellum days. In 1868 the 
family moved to Spartanburg, in the northern part of the State, for educational facilities. 
From Spartanburg they moved to Charleston, in 1873, where Mr. Wiggins attended the 
Holy Communion Church Institute. At the end of four years, having graduated there, he 
entered the University of the South, at Sewauee, Tenn., in 1877. In 1879 he became assist- 
ant to the professor of modern languages, and in August of the same year assistant to 
the professor of ancient languages, which position he retained until 1881, when he became 
first assistant in the Grammar School Department of the University. He received, in 1880, 
the degree of B. A., and in 1882 that of A. M., in which year he was elected professor 
of ancient languages and literature, which position he still retains. In the winters of 
1883 and 1884 he attended the Greek Seminary of the John Hopkins University under 
that eminent scholar, Prof. B. L. Gildersleeve, and was made fellow by courtesy. 

CLAIBORNE N. WILLIAMS is a native of White County Tenn., and one of Frank- 
lin County's enterprising farmers. He was born in 1830, and is of a family of thirteen 
children, born to Jesse and Malon (Sewell) Williams. Jesse Williams was born 1783, 
in North Carolina, and first married Caroline Maston, to whom five children were born, 
then she died, and he married the mother of our subject. They moved from White Coun- 
ty, Tenn., to Mississippi, and from there to Franklin County, Ark., where they both died, 
1855 and 1866, father and mother respectively. At the age of seventeen, our subject 
came from Mississippi, to Franklin County, Tenn., and procured for himself such educa- 
tional advantages as the common schools of this county offered at that time. In 1854, he 
married Martha Hatchett, and followed farming until 1862, when he enlisted in Company 
K, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and remained with that command till the close of the war; 
then returned home and resumed farming at the place where he now resides, which he 
purchased in 1859. Mr. Williams devotes considerable attention to wheat raising and is 
very successful in that branch of agriculture. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of 
the Christian Church. To them have been born twelve children, nine of whom are still 
living, part being members of church with the father and mother, while part identify 
themselves with the Baptist Church. Politically Mr, Williams is a Democrat, and is in 
sympathy with the principles of prohibition. 

DR. HARVEY P. WILLIAMS, one of Franklin County's most prominent physicans, 
who was born in Bedford County, Tenn., Feburary 14, 1850, being one of thirteen chil- 
dren born to the marriage of Aaron Williams and Patsie Brothers. The father was born 
in Buckingham County, Virginia, in 1801, and in about 1815, he immigrated to Rutherford 
County, Tenn., where he married about 1820. Dr. Williams remained with his pa- 
rents until attaining the age of twenty-one, when he engaged in merchandising at Millers- 
burg. He afterward traveled in Texas one year, and upon his return, began the reading 
of medicine under Dr. White, of Millersburg. After attending the medical college at Nash- 
ville, he began the practice of that profession, in Bedford County, in 1875. After one 
year he removed to Cowan, where he has very successfully continued to practice. His 



FEANKLIN COUNTY. 845 

marriage ceremoay was solemnized December 23, 1875, uniting him to Sallie E. Brothers, 
a native of Rutherford Countj'. Dr. Williams is a member of the K. of H. the A. 
O. U. W. the I.O.O.F. and of the Christian Church. He has always been a Democrat in 
politics, and is an advocate of prohibition. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. 

GEORGE THORNTON WILMER, D. D., was born on the 8th of May, 1819, at Alex- 
andria, then within the District of Columbia. His father, the Rev. William Holland 
Wilmer, D. D., was a native of Kent County, Md., where his ancestors were seated as 
early as 1693, at which time the American record of the family begins. He became rector 
of St. Paul's, Alexandria, was prominent in the successful effort to resuscitate the Epis- 
copal Church in Virginia and in founding the Theological Seminary of the Diocese of 
Virginia, being one of its earliest professors. After leaving Alexandria he became rector 
of Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, Va., and president of the College of William and Mary. 
He died in 1827, in his forty-fifth year, and while holding both of these offices. The 
authorities of Williamsburg took charge of his burial; he was interred beneath the chancel 
of the parish church, and a memorial tablet, the contribution of Christians of all the 
denominations in the town, commemorates affectionate esteem of his character and 
services. The family of Dr. W. H. Wilmer removed to Fairfax County, Va. The pious 
care of his widow, a step-mother in name to many of the children, and a real mother to all 
the children of a large and dependent family, provided such means of education as a 
home school could supply, followed by such collegiate training, in the case of the sons, as 
they saw fit. George T. Wilmer, after a short stay at Bristol College, which he left 
without graduating, passed about two years in civil engineering; then two years in study- 
ing law, and in managing the small farming interests of the family; then three years at 
the Theological Seminary of Virginia, whence he was graduated in 1843; was ordained 
deacon by Bishop Meade. The larger part of his diaconate was passed at Wilmington, 
N. C, as assistant to Rev. R. H. Wilmer, rector of St. James', in that city, and subse- 
quently bishop of the Diocese of Alabama. Rev. George T. Wilmer was admitted to 
priest's orders by Bishop Johns in 1844, and took charge of a parish in the counties of 
Botetourt and Roanoke, in the valley of Virginia; became rector of Bruton Parish, 
Williamsburg, in 1854; rector of a parish in Pittsylvania County in 1866; became reetor 
of Christ Church, Mobile, Ala., and continued such rather more than two years; was for 
a short time in charge of Bishop Atkinson's Mission House, Asheville, N. C. ; entered on 
his duties as professor of moral and intellectual philosophy and belles-lettres in the College 
of William and Mary, 1869; for about the last four years of his connection with the col- 
lege, was also rector for the second time of Bruton Parish; in 1876 was elected professor 
of systematic divinity in the University of the South, and pending the organization of the 
theological department, assigned to duty as professor of metaphysics and English 
literature and other branches. From 1878 to 1885 he preformed the duties of professor of 
systematic divinity, professor of metaphysics, acting professor of political science and 
history, and lecturer on commercial law. Since the opening of the session of 1885-86, 
Dr. Wilmer has taught exclusively in the theological department. His degree of D. D. 
was conferred by the College of William and Mary in the year 1860. 

JOSEPH D. WILSON, of the firm of Wilson & Francis, general merchants, was born 
in Pittsylvania County, Va., May 20, 1824. The father, Green B. Wilson, was a farmer 
by occupation, and in 1848 removed to Henry County. Tenn., where he died in 1866. The 
mother, nee Frances Q. Holderby, survived the father, and departed this life in 1874. Jo- 
seph D. was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents till afier coming to Henry 
County, Tenn. He received but a limited early education. In Henry County he engaged 
in farming and in the tobacco business till 1885, when he removed to Winchester and en- 
gaged in his present trade in Februarj-- of that year. He has been successful, and carries 
a stock of about $8,000. He chose as his helpmeet. Miss Annie E. Cox, the matrimonial 
ceremony being solemnized October 29, 1868. This union has been blessed in the birth 
of eight children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are Annie Q. Hunter L. 

53 



846 BIOGEAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Ruth A., Asa B., Lydia M., Flora D., and Hoyland L. Mr. Wilson, his wife, and three 
children, are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Wilson is a tirm Democrat, 
and always has been. He is an enterprising and respected citizen of the county. 

SAMUEL M. WOODWARD is a Tennesseean, born in Lincoln County, June 13, 
1823. He remained at home until his marriage to Caroline Frame, August 3, 1845, also a 
native of Lincoln County. In 1854, he purchased his farm of 135 acres, where he has 
since lived, and has given his attention to agriculture and stock raising, and has been 
fairly prosperous in his business ventures. January 4, 1886, Mrs. Woodward died, having 
borne seven children, two of whom still survive: William B., born in 1846, and died in 
1879; married Lizzie Lockhart in 1869, and was blessed by the birth of four children; 
James P., born in 1848, and died in 1864; John L., born in 1851, and died in 1858; Samuel 
W., born in 1853; Sarah A., born in 1855; Nicy M., born in 1858, and died the same year, 
and Susan E., born in 1861, and died in 1863. Mr. Woodward is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and has always voted the Democratic ticket. 



GILES COUNTY. 



CHARLES CLAYTON ABERNATHY, M. D., a successful practitioner, was born 
near Pulaski October 9, 1827. His early youth was passed on the farm and in attending 
the county schools. Later he attended the Wurtemberg Academy at Pulaski. He sub- 
sequently spent three years at Cumberland University at Lebanon. In 1848 he began the 
study of medicine under Dr. R. G. P. White, and in the spring of 1851 he graduated at 
the University of Pennsylvania. Located iu Decatur County, West Tenn. In the same 
year he married Martha J. Stockard, of Maury County, and has two children by this 
union: Mary G. and Lizzie. After remaining five years in Decatur County, he moved to 
Pulaski, and here continued the practice until 1862, when he went on duty as a commis- 
sioned surgeon in the Army of Tennessee at the hospital at Chattanooga. In December, 
1862, at his request, he was transferred to the Eighteenth Tennessee Infantry, Col. J. B. 
Palmer's regiment. Gen. John C. Brown's brigade, and served as the surgeon of this regi- 
ment until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he was transferred to the Third Ten- 
nessee Regiment, and continued to occupy that position until the close of the war. At 
the time of the surrender he was a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware, but was released 
July 19, 1865. In the fall of the same year he resumed the practice of medicine, and is 
still actively engaged in his profession. He is one of the leading physicians of this part 
of Tennessee. Mrs. Abernathy died in 1878, and the Doctor was married again, iu 1880, to 
Mrs. Josephine C. McNairy, of Giles County. Mrs. McNairy was a Miss Wilkinson. Our 
subject is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. He is a son of Charles C. and Susannah (Harris) Abernathy, and of 
Scotch-Irish descent. His father was born in Virginia in 1790, and his mother iu David- 
son County, Tenn., in 1800. The Abernathy family came to Tennessee in^lSOO, and settled 
in Davidson County, where the family resided until 1812. The grandfather died in 1835. 
and the father in 1876. The latter was clerk of the circuit court for twenty-four years. 
The mother of our subject died iu 1845. 

CHARLES ALFRED ABERNATHY, M. D., was born April 1, 1853,' son of Alfred 
H. and Elizabeth T. (Butler) Abernathy, who were born in Giles County. The father for 
many years was one of the successful teachers of the county. Dr. Abernathy was edu- 
cated in the common schools and Giles College, Pulaski. At the age of seventeen he quit 
farm work and began teaching, continuing for three years. During this time he was 



GILES COUNTY. 847 

a disciple of ^sculapius, and subsequently attended lectures at the University of Louis- 
ville, graduating from the institution as an INI. D. in 1875. He practiced one year in Pu- 
laski, and then went to Prospect, Teun., and formed a partnership with Dr. Theo. West- 
moreland, but a year later moved to Lewisburg, Marshall County. In 1880 he returned 
to Pulaski, where he has since practiced his profession. In May, 1885, he formed a part- 
nership with Dr. C. C. Abernathy, one of the oldest physicians of the countJ^ The firm 
is styled Drs. C. C. & C. A. Abernathy. In February, 1884, Dr. Abernathy married Mrs. 
Ella (Ezell) Flournoy. The Doctor is a Democrat, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. Abernathy is a Presbyterian. 

LEWIS AMIS, of the firm of L. Amis & Bro., dealers in groceries and general 
merchandise, at Vale Mills, Giles Co., Tenn., was born December 5, 1836, in Pulaski, 
Tenn. He is a son of John and Martha A. Amis, both natives of North Carolina. John 
Amis was the son of John and PoUie Amis, natives of Granville County, N. C, and Mar- 
tha Amis was the daughter of Thomas and Pollie (Robertson) Wilkinson, natives of North 
Carolina. The parents of our subject were married August 14, 1823, in Williamson Coun- 
tj", and to them were born eight children, named Mary A., Nancy, Martfia J., John W., 
James F., Field R., Lewis and Nancy E. J. Our subject was educated in the district 
schools, and his occupation has been merchandising and farming from early boyhood. In 
1866 he was married to Rebecca E. Summerhill, daughter of Horace and Parmelia Sum- 
merhill, of Lauderdale County, Ala. To our subject and wife was born one son, John L. 
The Amis Bros, are Democrats in politics, and our subject is a member of the F. & A. 
M. and also the A. L. of H. The Amis family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, and in high standing. They have been successful men in all their under- 
takings, and are regarded as prosperous and industrious business men. The older mem- 
bers of the family came here at an early date and have been known in this State for 
nearly a century, They are of Scotch-Irish descent. 

HON. WILLIAM F. BALLENTINE, one of the county's most highly respected and 
influential citizens, was born August 34, 1832, in Pulaski, Tenn., and is the son of An- 
drew M. Ballentine, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1791, immigrated to 
America in 1816, and in 1818 settled in Giles County, Tenn. In 1824 he married Mary T 
Goflf, daughter of John and Isabella Goff, natives of Virginia. In 1825 Andrew moved to 
Pulaski and engaged in the dry goods business. By this marriage he became the father 
of eight children, named John G., George W., Margaret J., William F., Andrew J., 
James H., Adilade and Virginia O. The father of these children died in 1863, and the 
mother is still living. Our subject was the fourth child born to his parents. He received 
a liberal business education at the Wurtemburg Academy, in Pulaski, and at the age of 
fifteen he withdrew from school and entered into active business as a dry goods merchant 
with his father and brother (George). In 1856 he purchased the tract of land where he 
now resides, and settled upon it in 1857. Here he followed agricultural pursuits until 
1861, when he entered the army as captain in Col. Biffle's regiment of cavalry; after- 
ward he was on detached service with the Second Kentucky Cavalry until the close of the 
war. Previous to the war, October 11, 1853, he married Sarah E. Leatherman, daughter of 
Charles and Eliza Leatherman, natives of Rutherford County, Tenn. Mrs. Ballentine 
was born April 5, 1835. In 1865 our subject moved back to Pulaski and engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits, which he followed until 1868. He was one of the incorporators of the 
Pulaski Savings Bank in 1879, and was president of the same until 1880. At that time he 
moved back to his farm, where he now resides on 500 acres of valuable land, known as 
the Glenn Gower Stock Farm. Fe also has 800 acres of land in the Twentieth District, 
Giles County. In 1882 he was elected to the State Legislature from Giles County, and 
served one term. He is a Democrat, a member of the K. of H., and A. L. of H. and R. A. 
He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Mount Pisgah. 

. ANDREW J. BALLENTINE, farmer of Giles County, Tenn., was born in Pulaski, 
December 30, 1834, and is the fifth child born to the union of Andrew M. and Mary 
Ballentine. He received a liberal education in the Wurtemburg Academy and at the age 



848 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

of nineteen began clerking in his father's dry goods store, in Pulaski. He remained in 
this capacity a nnmber of years and then began farming, which was interrupted by the 
breaking out of the war. He joined Gen. Logwood's Battalion of Cavalry, but was 
soon transferred to Gen. Gordon's staff. After the war he again began farming and has 
followed that and merchandising up to the present time. In 1860. he wedded Amanda 
Kennedy, daughter of John and Pattie Kennedy, natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ballentine have four children: Orlean, Sallie W., Hick and Lady. Mr. Ballentine gives 
considerable attention to tine stock-raising, and owns .some fine land south and north of 
Pulaski, both portions being well improved. Mr. Ballentine is a Democrat, and of Irish 
descent. 

THOMAS W. BARBER'S birth occurred on the 23d day of May, 1843, in Giles 
County, Tenn. His parents, Isaac J. and Eliza A. (Gordon) Barber, were born in Vir- 
ginia, in 1814 and 1815, respectively*. They were Tennessee pioneers, and did much to 
clear and settle the State. The father died September 29, 1885, and the mother in October 
1858. At the age of eighteen, our subject enlisted in the Confederate Army in Col. 
Wheeler's First Tennessee Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, participating 
in many of the most important and bloodiest engagements. January 20, 1867, he married 
Maggie A. Reid, born January 12, 1849, daughter of John P. C. Reed, of Giles Count3'. 
Their children are named Heurj- R., Thomas GuJ^ Sammie C, T. Wesley, John I., 
Shellie M. and Lena M. Mr. Barber was raised under Whig influences, but since the 
war has not been identified with any party. He is a Mason, and owns a farm of 
150 acres, cotton being the principal production. Mrs. Barber's parents were of Irish ex- 
traction. The father was a Tennesseean by birth, and was magistrate of Giles County 
for about thirty years and represented his county in the State Legislature one term. The 
mother's maiden name was Sarah A. Hazlewood. 

JOHN L. BAUGH, an enterprising farmer, residing five miles south of Pulaski, in 
the Eighth District of Giles County, was a native of Williamson County, Tenn., born in 
1841, and of German descent. His parents, Philip and Elizabeth Baugh, were natives of 
Tennessee, and were considered first-class citizens. Our subject secured a good education, 
and has been from early boyhood actively engaged in farming. In 1867 he was married to 
Mary D. Wilkins, and to them was born one child, a daughter, Annie. The mother of 
this child died in 1869, and in 1871 he wedded Docia Reed, who died in the fall of the 
same year. In 1874 he was again married to Lucy R. Grigsby, and this union resulted in 
the birth of two children. The familj^ are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. Mr. Baugh is a Democrat and a member of the F. & A. M. fraternity. 
In 1869 he moved to where he now resides, on 310 acres of excellent land, well improved. 
He is a rather succesful man in all his undertakings, and is regarded as a prosperous and 
industrious farmer. 

JOHN A. BEASLEY, a practical and successful farmer, was born within one mile of 
Jiis present residence October 14, 1832, being the fifth of eleven children of William M. 
and Elizabeth (Anthony) Beasley, who were natives of North Carolina, and were early 
settlers of Giles County, Tenn. Here they were married and raised their family. The 
father died in Madison County, Miss., in 1832, and the mother at the old homestead, in 
.Giles County, in January, 1852. Our subject received a somewhat limited early education, 
and through life has followed farming. He served in the late war in the First Tennessee 
.Cavalry, and served seventeen months. He was opposed to secession, and used his in- 
fluence and votes to keep his State in the Union, but after secession became a fixed fact he 
^followed the fortunes of his State. He was at Corinth, luka, and Thompson's Station, 
land at the battle of luka his horse was shot dead under him. He became exempt from 
service in 1863. October 24, 1844, he wedded Sarah C. Wells, born in Giles County July 
S8, 1828, daughter of Jesse Wells, an early settler of the county, born in Virginia in 1797, 
and to them were born eleven children: Jesse Fendle, William J. E., John E., Reble L.. 
Dayton, Ann E., Sarah J., Eudora M. M., Ida J., Louella, and Daisy V. Mr. Beasley 
was formerly an old line Whig, but is now a Democrat. He is a Mason, and he and wife 



GILES COUNTY. 849 

own 350 acres of land, and he is called one of the open-handed and honorable citizens of 
the county. He and his oldest daughter are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, while his wife and the rest of the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. 

HENRY L. BOOTH, trustee of Giles County and a native of that county, was born in 
1844, near Bethel of said county. His father, Charles Thomas Booth and Mahala E. 
Jones, of Giles County, were married in 1843, and to their union were born six children: 
Henry L., Dewit M., Thomas M., Virginia A., Richard H. and Brown A. Booth. The 
father died in 1857. The mother is still living. The subject of this sketch received his 
early education in the common schools of Giles County. In 1862 he volunteered in the 
Thirty-second Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States Army, and served until the close of 
the war. He then attended school at the academy at College Grove, Williamson County, 
Tenn., leaving school in 1867. He then joined the Tennessee Annual Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, serving the appointments of Rogersville, Moulton and 
Montevallo Station, Ala., and Savannah Circuit, Lawrenceburg and Carthage, Tenn. 
After which failing health compelled him to suspend active labors. He then alternated be- 
tween the occupations of farming and teaching until he was elected trustee of Giles 
County August 7, 1884, which office he still holds. He was married October 6, 1873, to 
Ella Cullom, of Carthage, Tenn., daughter of Gen. William and Virginia A. Cullom, who 
were of Kentucky origin. To this union have been born three children: Henry Cullom, 
Virginia Ella and Leslie Ewell Booth. The subject of this sketch, in politics, is a Demo- 
crat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

JOSEPH W. BRADEN, circuit clerk, was born in Giles County February 14, 1846, 
son of Jacob G. and Harriet (Johnson) Braden, and is of Scotch-Irish origin. The parents 
of our subject died when he was a mere boy, and at an extremely early age he was com- 
]X'lled to fight life's battle for himself. He attended the country schools, and at the age of 
fifteen cast his lot with the Confederate States Army, in Company E, Eleventh Tennessee. 
H^ was captured twice, and both times made his escape. For one year after the war he 
attended school, his instructor being Edward Paschall, Jr. After this he clerked for 
some time in the store of Stacy, Morris & Co. In 1875 he was appointed deputy clerk and 
master under Maj. J. B. Stacy, and that continued for four years. He then farmed for 
for four years. In 1880 he married Miss Anna Bell .Johnson, of this county. The fruits 
of this union were two children: Bessie and Rebecca S. Mr. Braden is a thorough Dem- 
ocrat, and in 1882 was elected circuit court clerk of Giles County. He has been one of the 
best officers the county has ever had, and is a highly respected citizen. Mrs. Braden is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

HENRY M. BRANNON, merchant, is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Carson) Bran- 
non, and was born in Franklin County, Tenn., October 21, 1842, and is of Scotch-Irish 
origin. Robert Brannon was born in Tennessee in 1795, and Elizabeth Brannon, his wife, 
was born in the same State in 1798. The former died in 1854, and the latter in 1849. Our 
subject received a fair education and came to Pulaski in 1859, where he remained until the 
breaking out of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, First Tennessee Regiment, 
Confederate States Army, and was in the leading battles fought in Virginia. He was cap- 
tured at Petersburg, Va., in 1865, and was a prisoner two months in Fort Delaware. In 
1867 he began merchandising in Pulaski, where he is still engaged in that business. In 
1872 he wedded Mattie M. Bugg, daughter of Hon. R. M. Bugg, and to them were born 
six children: Annie L., Robert B., Pattie C, Thomas F., Lizzie M. and an infant not 
named. Mr. Brennon is one of the leading merchants of this portion of Tennessee. At 
the time of the organization of the Peoples National Bank he was elected one of the 
directors, and now holds that position. He is one of the prominent men of the city, and 
he and wife are exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

CHARLES BUFORD, of the firm of Buford & Carter, in Pulaski, Tenn., dealers in 
hardware and agricultural implements, was born March 3, 1839, and is a son of Nicholas 



850 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

C. and Elizabeth W. Bufonl, who were Tennessceans bj' birth, and were married in 1838. 
To them were born the following famil}': Charles, Richard B., Elbridge G., Lewis C, 
William A., Irene, Lucretia, Thomas, Mark, Sallie, Lucy, Lena, May and Claud. Nich- 
olas C. Buford died in 1869. Charles is the eldest of the family, and received a liberal 
education in Giles College, at Pulaski. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Tennessee Regi- 
ment and served until 1864, when he was wounded at Resaca, Ga., and retired from active 
service. After his return he farmed, and in the fall of 1866 moved to Nashville and en- 
gaged in clerking and book-keeping until 1870, when he returned to Giles County, and 
until 1875 was a tiller of the soil in that and Shelby County. At the latter date he moved 
to Pulaski, and has since been engaged in his present business. In 1870 lie and Rosa 
Carter were married. To them was born one child — Mabel. Mrs. Buford died in 1872, 
and in 1884 Ella Stokes became Mr. Buford's second wife. They have one daughter — 
Martha S. Our subject is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Cbiu'ch, and his 
wife of the Metbodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Buford is a Democrat and a member 
of the F. & A. M. fraternity. 

FRANK G. BUFORD was born near where he now lives December 13, 1851, son of 
Hon. Thomas Buford, who was also born in Giles County, Tenn. He was the first presi- 
dent of what was formerly known as the Nashville & Decatur Railway, and was a mem- 
ber of the Tennessee General Assembly for a number of years. He was one of the most 
prominent men of Giles Count}^ at tbe time of his death, which occurred here in 1860. 
The Buford family is of English origin. The paternal grandfather of our subject was an 
extensive land-owner. Our subject is the fourth of seven children born to his parents. 
His mother, Mary Ann (Gordon) Buford. was a daughter of Thomas K. Gordon. Our 
subject was educated at the common schools and at the Washington and Lee University, 
in Virginia. He graduated from this institution in 1878, and after returning home engaged 
in teaching school for some years. Later he turned his attention to farming and stock- 
raising. Since 1876 he has been engaged in the breeding of trotting and pacing horses, 
but now gives his undivided attention to the breeding of pacing horses. He owns the 
famous pacer, "Tom Hal," sire of "Little Brown Jug," who has made the three fastest 
straight heats of any horse in America; time, 2:llf, 2:lli, and 2:12^. Among the famous 
sires that have been at Rockdale Farm are "Almont, Jr.," 2:29, sire of "Annie W.," 2:20; 
"Prince Pulaski," sireof "Mattie Hunter, " 2:12|; Gen. Hardee, sire of "Thunder, " 2:22f, 
and Buford's "Tom Hal." Mr. Buford is making a success in breeding pacing horses, and 
deserves the credit of being the first man in the United States to give his whole attention 
to and make a specialty of breeding pacers. In 1879 Mr. Buford married Laviua Chil- 
dress, of this county, and by her has one child — Amanda. Mrs. Buford died in 1884. Our 
subject is a Democrat and one of the leading stockmen of Tennessee. 

ADRIAN D. BULL, a retired merchant of Elkton, Tenn., is a native of the " Buck- 
eye State," born in Greene County in 1815. His parents, John and Katherine Bull, were 
Virginians, who were married about 1793, and moved to Ohio in 1798. They became the 
parents of the following ten children: Benjamin F., William, Elizabeth, Arthur, Susan 
A., Katherine, Mary A., Adrian D., Richard R. and Caroline. The father and mother 
died in Ohio in 1825 and 1833, respectively. Adrian D. attended the common schools of 
the "Buckeye State," and in that State learned the saddler's trade. He came to Giles 
County, Tenn., in 1837, and located in Pulaski, where he worked at his trade. In 1838 he 
was married to Ursla Williams, daughter of John and Mildred Williams, and in 1843 
moved to Elkton and worked at his trade until the outbreaking of the war. He then re- 
tired from active business until 1865, at which time he engaged in the drj'' goods business, 
continuing until 1881, when he sold his interest and retired from active life. He is essen- 
tially a self-made man, and is considered an estimable citizen. To him and wife were 
born the following children: Caroline, Julia A., John W., Ann L., Charles O., Evaline, 
Susan, and Mildred. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and 
Mr. Bull belongs to the F. & A. M. 

JAMES H. CAMPBELL, M. D., (deceased) was a leader in the society and every good 



GILES COUNTY. 851 

work, and came of the pioneer family of John and Sarah Campbell. He was born in 
Maury County, Tenn., February 7, 1820, and spent his earliest days on a farm. His early 
education was liberal, and when young in years began the study of medicine, and grad- 
uated from the Kentucky School of Medicine, and as early as 1843 located at Campbells- 
ville. Giles Co., Tenn., and began practicing his profession. He was twice married 
the first tirne in 1843, to Sarah M. Hunt, who died in 1863 leaving three children: John 
E., Mary E., and Anna M. Two years after his first wife's death the Doctor wedded 
Mary S. Alexander, born in Giles County, in 1843, and his widow and the following six 
children survive him: Alexander, Clarence, Colon, Sallie, Reece and Lillie. He was a 
Democrat and Mason, and a leading member of the Christian Church. He was an honest 
and respected citizen, and in his death the county lost one of its truest and best men. 
His death occurred in 1884. His widow yet resides on the homestead at Campbellsville. 
She is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is a daughter of D. A. and 
Saphronia Alexander, born in Tennessee in 1811 and 1817, and died in 1882 and 1851, re- 
spectively. 

H. TAYLOR CAMPBELL, M. D., Lynnville, Tenn., is a native of Hickman County, 
Tenn., born Februarj^ 9, 1848, son of Hiram H. and Susan (Sisco) Campbell, and is of 
Scotch-Irish origin. His father was born in Williamson County, Tenn., January 17, 1814, 
and his mother in Hickman County, Tenn., January 18, 1818. Our subject's grandfather 
was William Campbell of North Carolina. The family came to Tennessee about 1800, 
and here Hiram Campbell died October 18, 1851, and his wife July 15, 1857. Our subject 
is one of four children and spent his early days on his father's farm. He attended the 
common schools and Centreville Academy, and in 1870 began the study of medicine, at- 
tending lectures at the old Medical College, of Nashville, and the medical department of 
Vanderbilt University, from which he graduated in 1875. A year later he located at 
Pleasantville, in Hickman County, and there continued the practice of his profession un- 
til 1879, when he came to Giles County, and in 1881 to Lynnville. He is the leading phy- 
sician of the town and has an extensive and lucrative practice. In 1877, he married 
ArdellaC. Ross, of Giles County. They have three children: Willie R., Susan A. and 
Sophia M. Dr. Campbell is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. 

WILLIAM C. CARTER, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Giles 
County. Tenn., son of Joshua and Mary Carter, whose natal State was North Carolina. 
They were married about 1827, and became the parents of five children: Jane, Joshua H., 
William C, John N. and Jacob D. The father died in 1878, and his wife in 1859. Our sub- 
ject is the third of their children and was educated in the common schools of Giles 
County. He assisted at farm work in early life, and in 1867 settled on the farm where he 
now resides. He owns 400 acres of valuable and well improved land, and of late years has 
devoted his time to breeding and developing fine stock, in which he has been more than 
ordinarily successful. In 1867 the nuptials of his marriage with Sarah J. Simmons were 
celebrated, and to their union have been born two children: David P. and John W. Mr. 
and Mrs. Carter are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a supporter of 
Democratic principles. Mrs. Carter's parents are Merrill and Jane Simmons, of Giles 
County. 

J. SAMUEL CHILDERS, wholesale and retail dealer in groceries, was born in Pu- 
laski, Tenn., April 28, 1846, son of J. B. and Susan (Ezell) Childers, and is of Scotch-Irish 
and English descent. The parents were natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. 
The former was born August 29, 1815, and the latter was born October, 1825, and died in 
Giles County in 1865. The Childers family immigrated to Tennessee in 1819, and settled 
in Giles County. They have for many years been one of the leading families of this 
county. Our subject, one of the prominent business men of this city, is the eldest of five 
living children. He was educated at Giles College in Pulaski, and in 1864 enlisted in 
Company K, First Tennessee Cavalry, and remained in the Confederate service until the 
close of the war. In 1865 he engaged in the merchandise business in Pulaski, and in 1868 



852 BIOGRArHICAL APPENDIX. 

he was joined in marriage to Miss Ada Pullen, of Giles County. This union was blessed 
by the birth of one child, Ben. From 1869 to 1874 Mr. Childers was in the dry goods 
business at Wales Station, this county, but in the latter year he returned to Pulaski, where 
he continued the dry goods business for two years, and then for four years was connected 
with a cotton factory. In 1874 he began the grocery business in this city, and has since 
continued that occupation. Mr. Childers is an enterprising man and a Democrat in poli- 
tics. He is a Knight Templar, Pulaski Commandery, No. 12, and he and wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

WILLIAM A. COFFMAN is the eldest of two children of Amers and Mary M. 
(Acock) Coffman, and was born in Logan County, Ky., March 23, 1832, and after attend- 
ing the common schools began tilling the soil. He has been twice married, the first time 
in Giles County, Tenn., October 16, 1855, to Agnes E. Howard, daughter of Wesley How- 
ard, and became the parents of these children : Rollin, who died November 10, 1882; Robert, 
died October 27, 1884; Benjamin P., James F., William, Julius C, Arthur, Mary J., Anna 
Lee and Sallie V. These children's mother was born in Giles County, Tenn., December 
5, 1837, and died August 27, 1879. Our subject married for his second wife, Maggie R. Bar- 
bour. To them were born two daughters : Emm a M. and Eva M . Her parents, John L. and 
Elizabeth E. (Guinn) Barbour; the mother's father, Wm. Guinn, being an eminent divine of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, Tennessee. Mr. Coffman is an old-line Democrat and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has a farm of 109 acres, on which 
he raises cotton and the cereals. His paternal grandfather, Adam Coffman, was a British 
soldier and served through the entire Revolutionary war. He was discharged at Mon- 
treal, Canada, but was afterward married in Maryland, and then came to Kentucky. Our 
subject's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war in the Colonial 
Army, serving over seven years, and participating in the battles of Camden, Yorktown, 
Guilford Court House, Brandywine, and many others. 

WILLIAM R. CRAIG, grain dealer, was born a few miles west of Pulaski, Tenn., 
November 21, 1852, son of W. J. and Virginia (Abernathy) Craig, and is of Scotch-Irish 
lineage. His father and mother were born in Tennessee and Virginia in 1820 and 1831, 
respectively. The Craig family came to Tennessee in 1815, and settled in Williamson 
County, and in 1840 came to Giles County, Tenn., and here the father .died in 1884. 
William R. was the eldest of his six children. He was educated in Woodlawn Academy, 
and in 1870 came to Pulaski, and for three years was clerk in a grocery establishment. 
He then began business for himself, continuing until 1882, when he was burned out. In 
the fall of the same year he engaged in the grain business, and has continued the sarne up 
to the present time. He also deals m fruit, and annually ships large quantities of the 
same. In 1874 he and Sallie Ezell were united in marriage, and four children have 
blessed their union: W. Ezell, Robert P., Flournoy and Edward M. Mr. Craig is a Dem- 
ocrat and Mason, Knight Templar degree. They are members of the Episcopal Church, 
and he is one of the popular men of the county. 

THOMAS E. DALY, of the firm of Moore & Daly, at Elkton, Giles Co., Tenn., was 
born March 16, 1859, son of Thomas B. and Martha A. Daly, whose natal States were Vir- 
ginia and Tennessee, respectively. They were married in Giles County about 1844, and 
four daughters and three sons blessed their union: Mary V., Ella N., James W., Frederick 
R., Thomas E., Annie L. and Florence E. The father and mother died in 1873 and 1869, 
respectively. Thomas E. obtained his education principally at Oak Hill, Tenn., and in 
1877 was engaged as clerk by A. D. Bull & Co., and remained with that firm until January, 
1881, when he bought out Mr. Bull's interest in the business, and the firm is now known as 
Moore & Daly. January 2, 1881, Mr. Daly was married to Georgie Bull, daughter of 
Richard Bull, of Epton, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South at that place. Our subject is a Democrat and of Irish descent, and belongs to an old 
and highly respected family. 

WASHINGTON R. DICKERSON, farmer and stock-raiser, residing in the Thirteenth 
District of Giles County, Tenn., near Buford's Station, was born in Lynchburg, Va., Oct- 



GILES COUNTY. 853 

ober 21, 1811, and is a son of Terry and Nancy Dickerson, who were born m the "Old 
Dominion" and were married about 1805. Mary K., Allen A. and Washington R. are 
their children. The father died in 1818 and the mother in 1813. Our subject came to this 
State when a small lad, with some relatives, and settled in Maury County, where his ed- 
ucation was very much neglected. He has farmed from boyhood, and in 1838 settled on a 
farm of his own. He owns 600 acres of as fine land as Giles County produces, besides 235 
acres in the Fifteenth District and some valuable property in Pulaski, all of which he has 
made by his own good management and industry and the aid of his wife, who is in every 
sense of the word a helpmate. In 1843 he married Mary J. Stone, and eight children have 
blessed their union: Sarah K., Ophelia S., William A., Mary J., Betsy S., Rosa B. S., 
Washington R. and JeflBe. The family are Presbyterians, and our subject is a Democrat 
and of Irish lineage. 

HON. Z. W. EWING, lawyer, a native of Marshall County, Tenn., is a son of L. A. 
and R. A. (Leeper) Ewing, and of old Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock. His father was 
born near Athens, Ga., in 1809, and his mother in Bedford County, Tenn., in the same 
year. The father was a merchant and farmer and for many years was one of the leading 
magistrates of Marshall County. He died in 1853. The mother of our subject died in 
1877, in Marshall County. Mr. Ewing was the seventh of eight children. During his 
youth his summers were spent on the farm at labor and in the winter season he attended 
the country schools. In 1859 he was a student at the Lewisburg Male Academy, and in 
1860 went to Marj'ville College, in East Tennessee, where he remained until the breaking 
out of the war. He then joined Capt. R. H. McCrory's company, afterward Company H, 
Seventeenth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was promoted to lieuten- 
ant by commission, but served in the capacity of captain and major for two years. He 
was captured at Petersburg, Va., in 1864, and was confined under retaliation in the prisons 
of Fort Delaware, Fort Pulaski, Hilton Head and Sullivan's Island, upon the southern 
coast. He was released in 1865, and came home and resumed his studies. In 1866 he en- 
tered the University of Virginia, and there remained until the summer of 1868. In the 
fall of that year he taught school at Richmond, Tenn. In 1870 he went to Europe and 
spent a year in travel and the stud}' of the German language. In 1871 he came to Pulaski 
and began the study of law in the office of Judge Thomas M. Jones. In the same year he 
wedded Harriet P. Jones, of Pulaski. They have one child — Marietta. December, 1871, 
he was licensed to practice law, and in May, 1877, he was appointed by Gov. Porter, as 
one of the three railway assessors for the State. In 1878 he was elected to the State Sen- 
ate from the counties of Giles, Lawrence, Lewis and AVayne, and was chairman of aiid 
member of important committees. In 1879 he was appointed State visitor of the Univer- 
sity of Tennessee, and delivered the annual address before that institution. September, 
1879, he was appointed special attorney for the State and is now engaged in the practice 
of his profession. He has been a life-long Democrat, and has occupied many positions of 
public trust and has presided over one of the State conventions of his party. He is one 
of Giles County's most prominent men. Mrs. Ewing is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

WILL S. EZELL. county court clerk, is a native of Pulaski, Tenn., and a sou of P. 
H. and Mary A. (Shields) Ezell. The father was born in this county in 1816, and his 
mother was also born in this county in 1827. The Ezell family came to Giles County in 
1808, and is one of the pioneer familes of this part of Tennessee. Our subject's birth oc- 
curred December 16, 1847. He was educated in Giles College, and in 1864 enlisted in Com- 
pany K, First Tennessee. After the war he engaged as clerk in a store and for some time 
as book-keeper. He then engaged in the mercantile business for himself. In 1878 his 
father waselected county court clerk and our subject served as deputy county court clerk for 
four years. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Ada Faust, of this county, and the fruits 
of this union were four children: Otis M., Mary A., Edith and John F. In 1882 Mr. Ezell 
was elected county court clerk and has since held that oflQce. He is a thorough practical 
business man and has made a good officer. He is a Democrat and a Knight Templar, Pu- 
laski Commandery, No. 12. He came of an old and well respected family, and he and 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 



854 BIOGKAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

PINK M. EZELL, dealer in stoves, tinware and house-furnishing goods, is a native 
Pulaski, Tenu., born January 19, 1860, son of P. H. and Mary Ezell, old and prominent 
settlers of this county. Our subject is one of ten children, and is of Scotch-French de- 
scent. He was educated in the Pulaski schools, and when about sixteen years of age be- 
came salesman in the grocery store of W.'R. Craig, and later clerked in a stove and tin 
store, and continued in this capacity until 1880, when he began business for himself, and 
has continued successfully in the stove and tinware business up to the present time. Mr. 
Ezell has made his own way in life, and is one of the prosperous young business men of 
Pulaski. In 1882 he united his fortunes with that of Mattie McCord, daughter of W. li. 
McCord, ex-editor of the Pulaski Citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Ezell have two daughters, named 
Mary and Margery. Mr. Ezell is a Democrat, and he and wife are church members. 

ABRAM F. FINLEY is the son of Carroll and Nancj^ Finley, natives of Tennessee. 
They were married in 183i5, and to them were born the following children: James L. D., 
Martha E., Newton M., Abram F., Josie, Charles C and Mollie. The mother died in 
1854. Our subject was born in Marshall County in 1845, and received a liberal education 
in the district schools of Marshall County. In early life he assisted his father in farming. At 
the youthful age of sixteen he joined the Confederate Thirtj'-second Tennessee Regiment of 
Volunteers (Col. Ed. C. Cook, commanding), and remained in service until the close of the 
war, and participated in most of the principal battles. He then returned home, and was 
engaged in farming until 1867, when he came to Pulaski and engaged in the liquor busi- 
ness. He has been very successful financially, as he started on a very small capital, but 
by industry he has made himself a wealthy man. He is noted for his liberality, and con- 
tributes to all charitable organizations. He is a Democrat in politics. The earlj" members 
of the Finley family emigrated from North Carolina at an eav\j date, settled in Marshall 
County, and were among the first settlers of Middle Tennessee. 

CAPT. JOHN D. FLAUTT, cashier of the Giles National Bank, was born in Lin- 
coln County, Tenn., October 2, 1835, son of James and Delilah O. (Dillon) Flautt, and is 
of German descent. James Flautt was born in Maryland, in 1800, and his wife in North 
Carolina, in 1804. He came to Tennessee in 1820 and to Giles County in 1838, and died in 
the latter place in 1883. Mrs. Flautt died in 1868. Our subject is the sixth of their seven 
children, and received the rearing and schooling of the average farmer's boy, besides at- 
tending Giles College, at Pulaski. From 1860 until Ma}' 14, 1861, he was a clerk in the 
dry goods store of D. C. Corbt & Co. At the latter date he enlisted in John C. Brown's 
Companj', Third Tennessee, Confederate States Army, as private, and was commissioned 
regimental quartermaster in October, 1862, with the rank of captain, and thus continued 
until the close of the war. In December, 1865, he engaged in the hardware business in 
Pulaski, but in 1882 was elected assistant cashier of Giles National Bank, and January, 
1883, was elected cashier. May 19, 1869, he wedded Salonia M. Rose, daughter of Col. S. 
E. Rose. They have five children: Marcella R., James S., Mary L., John H. and Mere- 
dith. Mr. Flautt is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He 
became a Mason in 1866, and he and Mrs. Flautt are members of the Presbyterian 
Cluirch. 

WILLIAM FOGG, deceased, was a farmer and a stock raiser of the Sixth District 
in Giles County. He was born in King George County, Va., in 1799, son of Frederick 
and Elizabeth Fogg, natives of Virginia. William received a good education and came 
to this State, settling in Giles County in the early part of this century. He was a tiller of 
the soil, and in 1832 he was joined for life to Frances Fogg, who died in 1852, in Giles 
County. In 1855 he took for his second wife Sarah L. Morris, the widow of Gen. Lafayette 
Morris, and the daughter of Levi and Mary A. Reed, natives of Tennessee. By this union 
our subject became the father of five children, viz.: Annie M., Frances E., William R., 
Frederick A. and Louisa M. Mr. Fogg came from a very highly respected family, and is 
of English descent. He owned 300 acres of good land, all well improved, and was in very 
comfortable circumstances. He died in 1868, mourned by a large circle of relatives and 
friends. He was a Democrat in politics. 



GILES COUNTY. 855 

THOMAS S. FOGG'S birth occurred in King and Queen's County, Va, June 20, 
1820, the oldest and only surviving member of a family of five children born to James G. 
and Patsj^ (LaFaun) Fogg, and is of Scotch and French extraction. James Fogg was born 
in Virginia, in 1790, and came to Tennessee in 1823. He served in the war of 1812, and 
died in Giles County, Tenn., Julj'- 3, 1853. The mother was also a Virginian, born in 1795, 
and died in 1833, in Tennesee. Our subject's grandfather, James Fogg, served in the %var 
for Independence and fought at Bunker Hill and Cowpeus. Our subject has made farm- 
ing his chief business through life, but in early life followed carpentering and traveled 
in all the Southern States. Mary M. Beasley became his wife December 24, 1846, and 
has borne him twelve children, nine now living: Thomas A., Walter S., Oscar G., Harry 
P., Edwin, Claude, Guy, Gertrude and Male. Mrs. Fogg was born May 11, 1839. Mr. 
Fogg was an old-line Whig and since the death of that party has not affiliated with any 
political organization. He was made a Mason in 1847, and owns the "Pleasant View" 
farm of 500 acres, and is a liberal and benevolent giver, aiding all laudable enterprises. 
The most of the family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

ANDREW L. GLAZE, M. D., a practicing physician located at Elkton, Giles County, 
was born February 35, 1837, in Limestone County, Ala., and is of Irish extraction. He re- 
ceived his early education in the schools of Alabama, and subsequently attended school 
at Elkton, Giles County. In 1858 he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. J. Held, 
of Elkton, and in 1859 entered the University of Nashville and attended one course of 
lectures. At the time of the breaking out of the war he was connected with the medical 
department of the Confederate Army where he remained until the close of the war. He 
then returned to Elkton, and was engaged in the practice of his profession. October 18, 
1866, he was joined in marriage to Martha J. Stone, daughter of Thomas J. and Almira 
Stone, of Lincoln County. By this union our subject and wife became the parents of 
four children: Lilla, Madora, Mattie and Annie. In 1874, Dr. Glaze entered the Univer- 
sity of Nashville, and graduated from that institution in 1875. He then returned to Elk- 
ton, and has been constantly engaged in his profession ever since. The Doctor is a Dem- 
ocrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Glaze died May 2, 1886. 

GEORGE D. GRAY, M. D., of Buford Station, Tenn., was born in Mississippi, near 
Holly Springs, Marshall County, June 18, 1845. His father, Dr. George W. Gray, was born 
in Maryland in 1814, and came to Tennessee in 1828, thence to Mississippi, thence to Arkan- 
sas in 1854, where he resided and practiced medicine until his death in 1873. Our sub- 
ject's mother's maiden name was Sallie Reynolds, who was born in Giles County, Tenn., 
and died in 1848. George D. received a liberal education at North Mount Pleasant, Miss., 
and began the study of medicine in the fall of 1865, attending lectures at the University 
of Louisiana, at New Orleans, and subsequently attended lectures at Washington Univer- 
sity, at Baltimore, Md., graduating from that institution in 1868. He located in Arkan- 
sas, where he practiced his profession with success until 1883, when he came to Giles 
County, Tenn., and has successfully practiced his profession at Buford Station. In 1873, 
he married Sallie Sloan, of Arkansas, and by her is the father of five children: Dudley, 
George W., St. Clair N., Janie and Maud. Dr. Gray and wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South. 

BERRY C. HARDIMAN is a son of William J. Hardiman, and was born in 
Charlotte County, Va., June 5, 1839. The father came to Tennessee in the fall of 
1856, by wagon, the journey lasting seven weeks. He was married to Mary A. Irvin, 
who was born in Virginia in 1816, and died in <5iles County April 4, 1865. Our sub- 
ject in youth received the advantages the common schools afforded. He served in 
the Fifty-third Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, three years, and was captured at the 
fall of Fort Donelson, but escaped by swimming the Cumberland River. He then 
joined Wheeler's Cavalry, and after being exchanged at Vicksburg returned to his former 
regiment. He was at Port Hudson, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the almost continu 
ous battle from Dalton to Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville, where he was wounded and 
disabled for further service until the close of the war. He was married, February 12, 



856 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

1868, to Mattie M. Barnes, and seven children blessed their union, six of whom are living: 
William, Mary A., Ozellar, Mattie M., Revy L., and Ethel B. Mrs. Hardiman was born 
in Giles County, April 9, 1845, the thirteenth of fifteen children born to Jeremiah and 
Marilla (Gooch) Barnes. Mr. Hardiman was a Whig, but since the war has voted the 
Democratic ticket, and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South. He owns 253 acres of good land, and is doing well financially. Uriah Hardiman, 
grandfather of our subject, served throughout the Revolutionary war. 

HON. THOMAS B. HARWELL, a retired physician of Giles County, is the son of Gil- 
ham and Annie Harwell, natives of Virginia, who immigrated to Tennessee when quite 
small. They were married in 1820, and this union resulted in the birth of seven children: 
Sarah E., Thomas B., Samuel G., Annie W., Alfred F., Mary A. and William G. The 
father died in 1838, and the mother is still living. Our subject received his education in 
the Wurtenburg Academy, at Pulaski. In 1844 he commenced the study of medicine with 
I. J. Pepperson, of the above town, and in the fall of 1844 entered the Louisville Medical 
College, and attended one course of lectures. In 1850 he commenced the practice of medi- 
cine, and was engaged in this profession until 1867. He then abandoned his practice, and 
has since been devoting all his time to agricultural pursuits on the farm where he now re- 
sides. He has 600 acres of excellent land, all well improved, which is six miles south of 
Pulaski, near Harwell's Station. He has been a rather successful man in all his .under" 
takings, and is regarded as a prosperous and industrious farmer. In 1875 he was elected 
to the Legislature from Giles County, and was re-elected to the same in 1879, representing 
Giles and Lincoln Counties. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the F. & A. M. 
fraternity, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has also 
taken an active part in educational affairs of Tennessee, and is one of Giles County's 
leading citizens. 

ROBERT A. HAZLEWOOD may be mentioned as one of the prominent and success" 
ful farmers of Giles County, Tenn. He was born in Campbell County, Va., January 15, 
1833, and is the second of nine children of Little B. and Rachel (Walker) Hazlewood. His 
early education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of nineteen his inclina- 
tion drew him westward, and he lived in Alabama two years, then came to Tennessee and 
followed farming and carpentering in Giles County. November 3, 1843, he married 
Amanda M. Hazlewood, daughter of Mitchell Hazlewood, and these children Mitchell F., 
Rachel W., Ann Eliza, Sarah J. (deceased), and Lucretia were born. Mrs. Hazlewood 
died December 17, 1851, and our subject married Serena S. Hazlewood, daughter of John 
Hazlewood. Henry, Thomas, William W. (deceased), John G. F., Allen W. and Felix S. 
are their children. Our subject's grandfathers, Hazlewood and Walker, were born in 
Virginia, and were Revolutionary soldiers, and Kis father was a soldier in the war of 1813. 
Robert A. served in the late war in the Fifty-third Tennessee Infantry, and was captured 
at Fort Donelson, and for seven months was a prisoner in Indianapolis. In March, 1863, 
he was discharged on account of age. Mr. Hazlewood is a Democrat from principle and 
education. He owns 160 acres of good laud, and he and wife and four children are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

ROBERT N. HERBERT, M. D., is a native of Williamson County, Tenn., his birth 
occurring near the village of Brentwood September 27, 1843, son of Robert N. and Eliza- 
beth (Cummins) Herbert, and of English origin. His parents were born in Davidson 
County, Tenn., the father in 1811, and the mother in 1814. Of a family of nine children 
our subject is the fifth. He spent his boyhood days on a farm and in attending the com- 
mon schools. At the breaking out of the late civil war he enlisted in Company B, Twen- 
tieth Tennessee Infantrj% and served four years to a day, participating in some of the 
most hotly contested battles of the war. He began the study of medicine upon his return 
home, under Dr. B. W. Carmack, and graduated from the Nashville Medical College in 
1867, and the same year located at Campbellsville, Giles Co., Tenn., where he has since 
been a successful practitioner of the healing art. December 7, 1867, he was married to 
Wessie Reams, who died September 3, 1874. November 14, 1876, Dr. Herbert married 



GILES COUNTY. 857 

Kittle Rogers, and four children have blessed their union: Robert C, Mary Wessie, Annie 
L. and Sallie E. Dr. Herbert is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

LEWIS S. HODGE, farmer, is a North Carolinif^n by birth, born February 21, 1817, 
and came to Tennessee with his parents, John and Sallie Hodge, at an early day. They 
located in Maury County, and became the parents of six children— three daughters and 
three sons: Gabriel L., Elizabeth, Lewis S., Mary, Samuel and Nancy. The father's death 
occurred in 1825, and the mother's in 1868. Lewis S. obtained such education as could be 
obtained in the common schools of Maury County at this early day. He has followed 
tilling of the soil from boyhood, and has resided on his present farm of 116 acres of val- 
uable land since 1834. Willie J. Cavnor became his wife in 1835. She is a daughter of 
Thomas and Nancy Cavnor, of Giles County, and became the mother of ten children- 
seven sons and three daughters: John. James, Sallie, Samuel. William, Jackson, Harris, 
Nannie, Henry and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church, and in his political views Sre subject is a Democrat. 

WILLIAM J. HOWARD, is a son of John W. Howard, who was born in Butler 
County, Ky., in 1804, and came to Tennessee in 1825, and a few years later married Jane 
H. Butler, who was born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1809. The father was a farmer and 
died August 3, 1882. His wife died at the old homestead in 1875. William J. was the 
second of nine children, and was born in Giles County,, Tenn., June 7, 1831. His prepara- 
tory education was obtained in the common schools, after which he took a course in Giles 
College, Pulaski, Tenn. He began farming for himself when about twenty-one years of 
age, and has followed that calling through life, and owns 518 acres of good land. March 
3, 1859, Amanda M. Poor, of Logan County, Ky., became his wife, and of eight children 
born to them seven are living: George W., Drury R., Isaac B., Edward W., Berilla R., 
Amanda E. and Tennessee. Mrs. Howard was born June 12, 1837, and is the daughter of 
George A. and Berilla (Howard) Poor. Our subject served in the late war in the First Ten- 
nessee Cavalry, under Col. Wheeler, and was captured and taken to Jeffersonville, Ind., 
where he was paroled. Mr. Howard is conservative in his political views and belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity. 

SAMUEL C. JOHNSTON, a native of Charlotte County, Va., was born in 1818, and 
came to Tennessee with his parents in 1833. They settled.in Giles County six miles north- 
west of the county seat. His father, John Johnston, was born in Charlotte County, Va., 
in 1790, and followed the carpenter trade until after marriage, when he began farming. 
His wife, and the mother of our subject, Judith Cobb, was born in Virginia in 1785, and 
died July 19, 1847. The father is still living but is very feeble. Our subject was reared 
on the farm, and in 1840 wedded Dianua Smith, a native of Tennessee, born in 1824, and 
the daughter of Archibald and Frances (Wright) Smith. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was 
born one child, named Charles F. ; he was born in 1841 and died January 28, 1866. Mrs. 
Johnston died in 1846, and in 1850 our subject immigrated to California, and spent four- 
teen months prospecting in the rich gold fields of the border State. He was a private in 
Thomas' Tennessee Regiment, Haynes' company, in the Mexican war. Mr. Johnston has 
always lived on the farm with his father; this tract contains 340 acres of good land. In 
1854 he wedded Harriet E. Rolland, a native of Tennessee, born in 1834, and the daughter 
of John and Harriet (Carter) Rolland. To our subject and wife were born four children: 
Mary E., Mattie H., John R. and Margaret S. Mr. Johnson is a Democrat in politics, 
and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Johnston was also a mem- 
ber of the same church, and remained firm in the faith until her death, which occurred in 
1885. The Johnston family are of Irish descent and have always made honorable and 
prosperous citizens. 

MONROE M. JOHNSON, M. D., is a son of Matthew and Sina (Abernathy) Johnson, 
and was born January 3, 1828. His parents were born in North Carolina, and were there 
married in about 1818, and came to Tennessee the same year. Three daughters and four 
sons were born to this union: Franklin, John C, Harriet, James, Rebecca, Monroe M. 



858 BIOGEAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

and Drusilla C. Matthew Johnson died in 1867, and his wife in 1860. Our subject reot'ivcd 
the advantages the common schools afforded, and supplemented that by a five years' course 
in the College Grove Academy, in Williamson County. In 1850 he began studying medi- 
cine under Dr. R. G. P. White, and in the fall of the same year entered Jefferson Medical 
College, at Philadelphia, Penn., from which institution he graduated three years later. 
He practiced in Old Lynnville until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted and 
served in his professional capacity four years. He then pufchased the farm of 252 acres 
where he now lives, and has practiced his profession and farmed ever since. Mary E. 
White became his wife in 1853. She is a daughter of Benton and Jane White, natives 
of Giles County, and became the mother of five children: Annie B., Alice B., Robert B., 
Walter T. and Helen W. ; Anna and Helen only are living. Dr. Johnson is of Irish 
descent, and is a Democrat in politics and a member of the F. & A. M. 

HON. THOMAS M. JONES, attorney at law, is a sou of Wilson and Rebecca 
(McKissack) Jones, and of Welsh-Scotch descent. The father of Mr. Jones was a Vir- 
ginian and immigrated to Giles County, Tenn., in 1817, and died here in 1818. His grand- 
father McKissick was a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject was born in Person County, 
N. C, December 16, 1816, and was the youngest of five children. He grew up on the 
farm and received a common school education. In 1831 he entered the University of 
Alabama, where he remained until the fall of 1833, after which he entered the University of 
Virginia and there remained until 1835. In the latter school he began the study of law, 
and after returning to Pulaski he began reading law in the office of Col. John H. Rivers 
& W. C. Flournoy, and remained here until 1836, when he raised a company for the Sem- 
inole war; was mustered out January, 1837, and the same year was admitted to prac- 
tice law. In 1844 he was county elector on the Democratic ticket, and in 1845 he was 
elected to represent Lincoln and Giles Counties in the Legislature, and in 1847 was elected 
State senator for Giles and Maury Counties. He was elected a member of the Confederate 
Congress in 1861. Nine years later he was elected a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of Tennessee. For nearly fifty years he has been engaged in the law practice, and 
is now the oldest practitioner in Giles County bar. He has held the office of judge a 
number of times by appointment. He is one of the successful lawyers of this part of 
Tennessee. December 25, 1838, he wedded Marietta Perkins, of Williamson County, 
Tenn., and to this union were born nine children: Calvin (deceased), Charles P., Thomas 
W., Hume T., Harriet, Edward S., Lulie A., Lee W. and Nicholas T. Mr. Jones is a 
Democrat, a Mason, a Knight Templar, Commandery No. 12. Mrs. Jones died in 1871, 
and in 1883 Mr. Jones married Mrs. Ann Wood, of West Tennessee. He and wife are 
members of the Episcopal Church. 

JAMES L. JONES (familiarly known as Lew^ Jones), county judge, was born in Giles 
County, Tenn., October 28, 1824, son of Edward Dandridge and Elizabeth H. (Rainey) 
Jones, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The former was born in 
1788 and the latter in 1790. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Abram Jones, a 
native of Virginia, who died in that State some time about 1793. About 1818 the father 
of our subject immigrated to Giles County, Tenn., and for nineteen years was county 
court clerk. He died in 1855. Our subject's mother died in Tennessee in 1854. James 
L. Jones was a country boy, and received his education in the common schools. In 1847 
he enlisted in Company C, Third Regiment, Tennessee Foot Volunteers of the ]\Iexican 
war. He was a lieutenant, and served until the close of the war. From 1848 to 1855 he 
was deputy county court clerk. Then for a number of years he was engaged in trading. 
In 1865 he was elected magistrate and also assistant assessor of internal revenue, which 
position he held until 1869. In 1873 he was elected county judge, which office he has held 
continuously since. His official record is one of the best ever made in Giles County. In 
1860 he wedded Julia E. Blair, of Maury County, Tenn., and this union was blessed by the 
birth of nine children, six of whom survive: Edward B., Llewellyn, Mattie R., Elizabeth 
H., William R. and Mary. Mr. Jones was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat. He 
is a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 



GILES COUNTY. 859 

JOHN W. JUDKINS is the son of Robert B. and Mary C. Judkins, natives, respect- 
ively, of South and North Carolina. They were married in this county in 1830, and to 
them were born nine children: Mary J., William S., John W., Martha A., Amanda C, 
Thomas D., Sarah M., Harriet V., and Enoch L. Our subject was born November 12, 
1836, in Giles County, and received a liberal education in the common district schools of 
that county. In 1861 he wedded Tennessee C. Hopson, daughter of Renix and Rachel 
Hopson, natives of North Carolina, and this union resulted in the birth of one daughter, 
Tennessee C. Mrs. Judkins died in 1862, and in 1867 Mr. Judkins took for his second wife 
Mary F. Rains, daughter of William and Mary Rains, of Kentucky. By the last union 
our subject became the father of seven children: George A., Mary F., Martha O., Mar- 
garet E., JuHa R., Lela J. and Robert R. In 1872 Mr. Judkins engaged in the grocery 
and general merchandise business in Pulaski, and still continues that business in connec- 
tion with farming. He has a good farm of ninety- eight acres, all well improved, lying 
near the town of Pulaski. Mr. Judkins has been quite successful in all his undertakings, 
and is regarded as a prosperous and industrious farmer. 

JASPER KELSEY, M. D., of Old Lynnville, Giles Co.. Tenn., was born in Maury 
County in 1838, son of Thomas and Hester Kelsey, natives of the Palmetto State. They 
were married in Tennessee in 1828, and the following children were born to their union: 
Mary A., William T., Susan M., Robert A., George E., Newton and Jas^jer. Mrs. Kelsey 
died in 1848, and the father in 1872. Our subject's juvenile days were spent in attending 
school and assisting his parents on the farm. In 1860 he began his medical studies under 
Drs. Beard and Harwell, of Henry ville, Tenn., but on the breaking out of the war 
he enlisted in the Twenty-third Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, and served four years, 
participating in most of the principal battles of the war. After his return he resumed his 
medical studies, and in 1867 entered the University of Nashville, and was graduated as an 
M. D., from that institution in 1869. Since that time he has been actively engaged in the 
practice of his profession at old Lynnville, and is regarded as a reliable and successful 
physician. In 1868 he and Mary M. Compton were united in matrimony, and their union 
was blessed with the following family: Hettie E., Mary R., Annie T., Frederick W., 
Edna G., Alice V. and Verda Y. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, and our subject is a Democrat and of Irish descent. 

JOHN T. LOWRY was born where he now resides, September 1, 1841, the youngest 
of three children born to James B. and Elizabeth Lowry, born in South Carolina and 
Tennessee, respectively. They were married about 1835, and in 1840 located on the farm 
where our subject now lives. The father died in 1864, and the mother in 1869. John L. 
is of Scotch-Irish descent, and after attending the common schools in his youthful days, 
engaged in farming and tanning. He owns 350 acres of valuable land, well improved, and 
devotes considerable attention to the raising of fine stock. In 1867 he was married to 
Matura A. Gracy, daughter of Joseph B. and Elizabeth Gracy, and to them were born 
James B., David B., John S., Lizzie L., Eddie E. and Luther. Mr. and Mrs. Lowr^^ are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. 

THOMAS MARTIN. Indissolubly connected with the history of Giles County is the 
life of Thomas Martin. The son of Rev. Abram Martin, he was born in Albemarle County, 
Va., on the 16th of December, 1799, and in 1818 moved to Pulaski, Tenn., to carve his 
own fortune in what was then the far West. Imbued with a deep religious fervor, which 
characterized his entire life, he early joined the Methodist Church, of which he was ever 
after an active and earnest member. In a comparatively short time, by economy, pru- 
dence, sobriety and an unusual facility for business, he had amassed a respectable fortune, 
which was entirely swept away by the treachery of his partner in business, who had been 
left in entire control of Mr. Martin's funds, while the latter was absent for a short time on 
a visit to his parents. Despite the blow, which would have utterly crushed the hopes and 
ambitions of most young men, he firmly refused to take the advice of friends and attor- 
neys to avail himself of the plea of infancy, for he was not yet grown to man's estate. 
and assuming the entire obligations of his false partner, he started again in business with 



860 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

the declaration: " If God gives me life and strengtii, every dollar shall be paid." Against 
such energy and iron-will the fates themselves are powerless to prevail; the character and 
integrity shown in the beardless boy challenged the admiration of the entire business 
community; he was quickly offered a partnership by the principal merchant of Pulaski, 
and it was not long before the firm of Meredith & Martin became known throughout 
Middle Tennessee. About this time he married Miss Nancy Topp, and formed a co- 
partnership with his brother-in-law, Dr. Wm. Topp, a highly educated and accomplished 
physician, and one of those hardy pioneers, who, on the staff of Andrew Jackson, aided 
in achieving the laurels of " Old Hickory," and added not a little to the brilliant successes 
of the Seminole war. The new firm displayed the activity, which had accompanied all 
the enterprises with which Mr. Martin had been connected, and bj' utilizing the small 
streams which flow into the Elk River, secured a market for the cotton of Giles County in 
Xew Orleans, then, as now, the chief cotton mart of the world. Mr. Martin had now be- 
come the recognized financier of his section, and the subject of a railroad through the 
central portion of the State being agitated, his aid and counsel were eagerly solicited. He 
was not slow to perceive the advantages which railway communication with north Alabama 
would give to Giles County, and rode night and day to personally solicit the aid of every 
man, who could assist the enterprise. In a short time the idea became a fact; the South- 
ern Central Railroad, which is now a part of the great Louisville & Nashville system, was 
built, and soon after Thomas Martin became its president. Though Mr. Martin took no 
active part in politics, he was a life-long Democrat, and thoroughly concurred with the 
doctrines of that party, and on the accession of James K. Polk to the Presidency he was 
tendered the secretaryship of the treasury, which office, however, he declined. Though 
he had always firmly refused a nomination for any political office, he consented to act as 
one of the commissioners to the Peace Conference, and did everything in his power to 
avert the dreadful calamities, which followed the civil war. Mr. Martin died in 1870, at 
the age of seventy years, leaving a large fortune, despite the losses which he had suffered 
by the war. He had several children; but Ophelia, who married Judge Henry M. Spof- 
ford, afterward United States Senator from Louisiana, was the only one living at the time 
of his death. His charities were numerous: he contributed largely to the building of the 
Methodist Church in Pulaski, and to the male academy, and endowed the large and 
handsome female seminary which bears his name. He never failed to aid the youth who 
was struggling with poverty, provided he was moral and industrious. In death, as- 
throughout life, he was a zealous Christian, and died with the praises of the Redeemer on 
his lips: "Sweet Lamb of God, I'll see Thy bright face, joy! joy!" being nearly his last words 
on earth. " In business he was a giant," once remarked an admirer; he might have added 
that in all the grander attributes of human character, he was the ideal of splendid 
manhood. 

JESSE MAYES, M. D., an old and prominent physician of Giles County, is the son 
of Jesse and Frances (Hill) Mayes, natives of Virginia. They were married in 1800, im- 
migrated to this State and settled in Giles County in 1825. To this union were born ten 
children: Fletcher H., Thomas H., Mary, Susan, Elizabeth, Jesse, Fannie, Octavia, Sam- 
uel J. and Abigail. The father died in 1860, and the mother followed him in 1866. Our 
subject was born October 25, 1814, in Rockbridge County, Va., and attended the district 
schools. In 1834 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Edward R. Field, a prom- 
inent physician of Pulaski at that time. Our subject entered the Cincinnati Medical 
College in 1838, and after attending two courses of lectures he received an appointment 
from the government as assistant surgeon in the Indian emigration and held the position 
for the year 1840. At this time he returned to Giles County, and has since been constant- 
ly engaged in his profession and is regarded as one of the oldest and most reliable physi- 
cians of this county. In 1841 he married Mary E. Cook, daughter of Col. and Sallie 
Cook, of North Carolina, and to them were born three children: Julia F., Sarah F. and 
William H. (deceased). Dr. Mayes has 400 acres of land in partnership with his son4n- 
law, Jacob E. Morton, and is in very comfortable circumstances. In 1836 he was in the 



\ GILES COUNTY. 861 

Florida war, and served his time and received an honorable discharge at New Orleans. Dr. 
Mayes is a Democrat in politics, and all his family are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South. 

JOSEPH B. McCAUL, merchant, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., May 27, 
1845, son of John A. and Elizabeth (Boon) McCaul, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. John 
A. McCaul was born in Rutherford County, and died in Marshall County, Tenn., about 
1858. The mother was born in the same county as her husband, and died about 1855. 
Joseph B. is the third of their ten children, and when about thirteen years of age began 
learning the saddler's trade, at which he worked until 1861, when he enlisted in the 
Twentieth Tennessee Infantry, but was discharged the same year on account of physical 
disability. He re-enlisted in the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry in 1862, and served until 
the close of the war. From 1865 to 1867 he farmed and then engaged in the mercantile 
business at Bethesda, Tenn., remaining two years, and then came to Lynnville and began 
keeping a saddle and harness shop. At the end of eight years he engaged in the grocery 
business, and is the leading merchant in his line in the town. He also deals in grain. In 
1868 he married Elizabeth V. Beatty, of Williamson County. He is a Demecrat and 
Mason, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

GEORGE W. McGUIRE, M. D., is the son of Cornelius W. and Sarah McGuire, na- 
tives of Virginia. They were married about 1825, in this State, and had born to their 
union thirteen children: Elizabeth, William H., Lucinda A., Harriet M., Calvin B., John 
P., James S., Robert R.. Cornelius N., Mary P., George W., Narcissa E. and Docia A. 
The father died September 28, 1859, and the mother April 20, 1875. Our subject was born 
April 11, 1844, in Lincoln County, Tenn., and is of Scotch-Irish descent. He attended the 
county schools, and in 1866 began the study of medicine with a brother, Dr. C. B. Mc- 
Guire, of Millville, Lincoln County. In the fall of that year he entered the University of 
Nashville, and graduated from that institution in 1869. After which he returned to Mill- 
ville and commenced the practice of his profession with his brother. In 1874 he located 
at Dellrose, in Lincoln County, and practiced his profession with evident success. August 
27,1872, he married Ella O. Patterson, daughter of John C. and Elenor Patterson, of 
Giles County. To our subject and wife were born three children: James C, Cornelius N. 
and John P. The mother of these children died in 1881, and he then married Laura M. 
Legg, daughter of Andrew C. and Martha Legg, of Alabama. To the last union was born 
one child — Myrtle. In 1884 Dr. McGuire moved to Giles County, and purchased the land 
where he now resides. He is a very successful practitioner and is kept almost constantly 
busy visiting his numerous patients. He is Democratic in his political belief. 

ANDREW J. McKIMMEN, a prominent stock-raiser, living one mile east of Pulaski, 
Tenn., was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 28, 1834, and is a son of Daniel and 
Jane McKimmen, who were natives of the "soil," and removed to the United States in 
1843, settling on a farm in Giles County, Tenn., on which our subject now resides. They 
were the parents of the following children: Mary, Margaret, Emily, Andrew J., Isabella 
and Jane. The father died in 1878, and the mother in 1880. Our subject is their fourth 
child. He received a limited early education, and his time has been employed in breeding 
fine trotting horses, being the first man who introduced blooded trotting stock in Giles Coun- 
ty (in 1856) and one of the first in the State. He is widely known and much respected by 
all. He and Georgie A. Everly were united in marriage in 1859. She is a daughter of 
Capt. George and Mary Everly, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Tennessee. Our 
subject is a Democrat, and is noted for his charity to the poor. 

JAMES T. McKISSACK, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Person County, N. C, 
born in 1823, son of William and Janette McKissack, both natives of North Carolina. 
They were married in the early part of the present century, and to them were born five 
sons and three daughters: Susan P., James T., Gorham T., Don J., Alexander C, Lucy 
H., Jessie H. and William. Our subject was the second child born to this union. In 1833 
he came with his parents to this State and settled in Maury County. He received a good 
practical education in the Jackson College, of Maury County, and in 1842 was engaged in 



862 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

the grocery and general merchandise business at 'Spring Hill, Maury County. In 1854^ 
after moving around for some time, he settled in Pulaski, and was engaged in building the 
old court house and a number of other business blocks. Previous to this, in 1845, he mar- 
ried Sylvina C. Rowe, daughter of Louis and Lucy Rowe, and this union resulted in the 
birth of six children, named Lucy J., William L., Susan O., Edward F., Mary E. and Cal- 
vin C. The mother of these children died in 1880. In 1856 he purchased laud near Vale 
Mills, in this county, and was engaged in farming and manufacturing until 1870, when he 
sold farm and business and moved to where he now resides, near Pulaski. He has 137 
acres of valuable land, well improved. Mr. McKissack is of Scotch-Irish descent, and a 
Democrat in politics. 

HENRY CLAY McLAURINE, whose birth occurred in Giles County, Tenn., Janu- 
ary 8, 1840, is a son of William and Ann (Swan) McLaurine, and of Scotch-Irish descent. 
His parents were natives of Virginia,born in 1791 and 1797. The father was a tiller of the 
soil and died in this county in 1862. The mother died in 1866. Our subject is the young- 
est of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. He was reared on the farm and 
received his education in the district schools. During the years 1859-60 he clerked in a 
dry goods store at Molino, Lincoln County. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, First 
Tennessee Cavalry, and for more than a year was a prisoner in Camp Morton. In 1866 
he came to Prospect, in this county, and after clerking for one year engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise business and there remained until 1882, when he removed to Pulaski. 
In 1873 he married Bettie M. Deaver, and in 1876 he ran for the oflfice of sheriff and was 
deputy sheriff from 1872 to 1875. He ran for sheriff in 1876 against four Democrats and 
one Republican, and was defeated by the Republican by two votes. In 1882 he was 
elected county trustee and discharged the duties of this office in a highly satisfactory 
manner for two years. In 1885 he was commissioned postmaster at Pulaski, and con- 
firmed January 12, 1886, by the United States Senate. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and 
he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is one of the 
county's best citizens, and a representative of one of the old families. 

MARK McNAIRY, farmer, and a native of Giles County, Tenn., was born November 
1, 1833, son of Frank and Mary McNairy, natives of Tennessee, who were married in 
Giles County about 1830, and were the parents of four children: Robert, Mark, John F. 
and William J. The father died in 1837 and the mother in 1853. The subject of this 
sketch received a fair education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the 
Giles College at Pulaski. In 1845 he moved to that town and was engaged in trading 
until 1865. In 1858 he led to the altar Lute Maxwell, daughter of William A. and Delila 
Maxwell, of Giles County, Tenn. By this marriage Mr. McNairy became the father of 
four children: Roy, Lycurgus, Minnie and Ellen. Mr. McNairy is a Democrat in politics 
and of Irish lineage. In 1865 he moved to the farm where he is now living, which con- 
sists of 240 acres. He has been successful at his occupation and is a prosperous, industrious 

farmer. 

JAMES O. MITCHELL, of Lynnville, Tenn., is a native of Giles County, born 
December 19, 1833, son of Andrew and Eliza (Alexander) Mitchell, and is of Scotch-Irish 
descent. His parents were both born in North Carolina, the father in 1807, and the mother 
in 1809. His paternal grandfather was John Mitchell, also a North Carolinian. The 
Mitchell family came to Tennessee about 1809, and settled in East Tennessee. The father 
of our subject came to what is now Marshall County when a young man. He died in 
1864, and the mother in 1865. James O. is the third of nine children, and grew to man- 
hood on a farm, and was educated in the neighboring schools. In 1861 he enlisted in 
Company B, Third Tennessee Infantry, and participated in the battles of Raymond, Miss., 
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the Georgia Campaign. Since the war he has been 
in business in this county. He was married, in 1856, to Frances Angus, who died in 1861. 
Mr. Mitchell's second wife was Sarah Kellam, whom he married in 1871, and who died 
four years later, leaving two children: Andrew and Nancy. Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat, 
and one of the substantia] men of the county. 



GILES COUNTY. 863 

MARCUS M. MITCHELL is a native of Giles County, Tenn., born January 26, 1838, 
the second of three children and the son of Robert C. and Jane (Beasley) Mitchell, born in 
Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The former came to Tennessee vrith his parents 
when a boy and there spent the rest of his life with the exception of a short period. He 
died in 1870, and the mother in 1863. Our subject resided with his Grandmother Beasley 
and obtained a practical business education in the common schools. By perseverance, 
honest dealing with his fellow-man, and economy,he is ranked among the wealthy farmers 
of the county, owning 832 acres of land. In the late war he served in the First Tennessee 
Cavalry, under Col. Wheeler, and participated in many hotly contested battles. He was 
finally released from service by his father taking his place, as the latter had no one depend- 
ing on him, and our subject had a wife and one child. He was married, May 26, 1861, to 
Margaret H. Kimbrough, who bore him one child, a daughter — Almeda G. — born April 7, 
1862 (wife of W. D. Abernathy). Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat, a man of generous and lib- 
eral disposition, and highly respected in the county where he resides. 

ASA W. MOORE, of the firm of Moore & Daly, dealers in dry goods and general mer- 
chandise at Elkton, Tenn., is a son of David J. and Mary E. Moore, who were born in 
Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, and were married in 1828, in Alabama, and 
came to Tennessee the same year. Both parents died in 1857. Our subject is the seventh 
of their twelve children, and his early education was obtained in the common schools of 
Giles County. He attended the Pettusville High School, in Alabama, two and a half 
years, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in the Ninth Alabama Regiment, and 
served until the close of the war, participating in many of the principal battles. After 
his return home he taught school until 1870, and at that time formed a partnership with 
A. D. Bull, and entered into his present business. Our subject has been successful as a 
business man and is considered one of the estimable citizens of the county. December 23, 
1868, he was married to Eva Bull, and by her is the father of six children: David, Ethel, 
Joseph, Eva, Tom and Nellie. Mr. Moore belongs to the F. & A. M., and is a Democrat 
in politics, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

JACOB B. MORELL, farmer, was born in East Tennessee, in 1820, and is of German- 
Irish descent. His parents. Christian and Susan Morell, were natives of Virginia and 
Tennessee, respectively. They were married about 1812, and became the parents of six 
children: Elizabeth, John H., Jacob B., Samuel H., William and Christian. The father's 
demise occurred in 1827, and the mother's in 1859. Our subject received his education in 
the common schools of East Tennessee, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits 
from early boyhood. He located in Giles County in 1843, and has been devoting consid- 
erable attention to milling. He is the proprietor of the Elk River Grist Mills, which are 
situated on Elk River, near Elkton. He has also 270 acres of good land, all improved. 
Mr. Morell has been a very successful man, financially, and all his property has been made 
by hard work and good management. January 16, 1844, he married Eleanor P. Phelps, and 
to this marriage were born an interesting family of eight children: Martha D., Allen P., 
Predonia E., Emmett, Frances, Varina D., Pressley L. and Alice J. Mr. Morell is of Dem- 
ocratic principles, and is a man of sound judgment and good sense. 

JOSHUA MORRIS is a son of Isaac Morris who was born in Delaware, June 29, 1766, 
and died Julj^ 16, 1856. He moved to North Carolina shortly after the Revolutionary 
war. Our subject's mother, Susanna Tacker, was born in Maryland in 1770, and died in 
1840. Joshua Morris was born in North Carolina December 1, 1807 and is one of the 
old and leading citizens of Giles County. He was deprived the benefits of school, but 
gave himself a fair education, At the age of twenty he began life for himself, and a j'ear 
later was married to Mary S. Tarkington, who bore him one child, named Isaac G. L., 
who died in 1853. Mary (Tarkington) Morris was born February 12, 1812, and died 
August 31, 1843. Our subject fought in the Florida Indian war and was faithful to his 
duties. He has held different county offices but is a farmer by occupation. Bj^ industry 
and perseverance he has accumulated considerable property, having at the present time 
2,665 acres of land and all but 700 acres under fence, 500 acres of this land contain fine 



864 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

timber, such asoak, poplar and chestnut. He has twenty-seven tenants on his land, and has 
several tenement houses unoccupied. He has been a stock-raiser and was always success- 
ful; in fact, his every effort has been crowned with success. During the late war he was 
captain of a company for a short time. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first 
vote for Andrew Jackson. He has on his home farm, located on Big Creek, a cotton-gin 
and a grist-mill. He has living with him six great-grandchildren, which compose the en- 
tire family. 

WILLIAM G. NANCE, dealer in confectionery, fancy groceries, cigars and tobacco, 
in Pulaski, Tenn., is a son of Sterling A. and Eliza Nance, natives, respectively, of South 
Carolina and Alabama. They were married in the latter State in 1830, and became the 
parents of six children: John D., Elizabeth, James F., Sterling A., William G. and Mary 
E. The father died in 1859 and the mother in 1872. William G. was born in Lauderdale 
County, Ala., in 1840. After acquiring his rudimentary education in the common schools, 
he, in 1855, entered La Grange College, at Florence, Ala., and attended one session. In 
1857 and 1858 he attended the University of Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he finished his 
literary education. He then farmed in his native State until the breaking out of the war. 
In 1864 he enlisted in the Tenth Alabama Cavalry, and served imtil Lee's surrender. He 
then resumed farming, and in 1874 became clerk for J. Butler & Co., dealers in dry goods 
in Pulaski, Tenn. In 1878 he was compelled to suspend active business life, but in 1883 
formed a partnership with his son, William J. Nance, in the liquor business, and continued 
the same until June, 1885, when he sold out and engaged in his present business. In No- 
vember, 1860, he married Mollie Coffee, daughter of Joshua and Mary M. Coffee, of Ala- 
bama. They have five children: Willie J., Lula M., Adine P., Mamie and Sterling. Mrs. 
Nance died in 1874. Mr. Nance is a Democrat, and the family are church members. 

WILLIAM C. NELSON, assistant cashier of the Giles County, Tenn., National 
Bank, was born in Limestone County, Ala., August 17, 1849, son of Isaac and Lizzie 
Nelson, and of English descent. The father was born in Giles County in 1823, and was a 
farmer and merchant by occupation. He died in 1854. The mother was born in South 
Carolina about 1824 and died in Giles County in 1854. Our subject's paternal grandfather 
was John Nelson, a native of Virginia, and an early immigrant to Tennessee. William 
C. was the third of four children and was raised on a farm. He received a practical edu- 
cation and, in 1871, began clerking in a dry goods store, where he remained until 1878, and 
then engaged in the clothing business, and continued that until 1881. At that time he 
opened a hardware store, and the same year became assistant cashier of Giles County Na- 
tional Bank. He sold his stock of hardware in 1885. In 1881 he married Georgia Adams, 
and is now the father of two children: Sue Adams and Lizzie. Mr. Nelson is a Democrat 
and a Mason, Knight Templar degree, and is at present eminent commander of Com- 
mandery No. 12. He is a Presbyterian and his wife belongs to the Episcopal Church. 

ROBERT S. PARTRICK. owner and proprietor of the village of Bodenham, was born 
In Alabama in 1847. This village is composed of one water mill, one cotton-gin, cabinet 
shop, blacksmith-shop and a general merchandising establishment. He immigrated from 
Alabama to this place about two years ago, and has been successfully engaged in business 
€ver since. He was reared in Rogersville, Ala., and lived with his grandfather until fif- 
teen years of age. He then enlisted in Company E, Seventh Alabama Cavalry, and re- 
mained in the service until the close of the war. He was a participant in some of the 
most hotly contested battles fought during that time. He returned to Alabama, and was 
engaged in different pursuits until coming to his present location. His father was a native 
of Kentucky, born in 1800, and came to Alabama when quite young. He married for his 
first wife a Miss Brooks, who bore him six children. She died about 1840. He then 
married Elvira Sham, she being the mother of our subject, and a native of Alabama, born 
in 1820. The last union resulted in the birth of four children. The mother died in 1854 
and the father three years later. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1870, to Elizabeth 
Elledge, a native of Alabama, born in 1850, and to them were born three children: Infant 
(died unnamed), Ethel (who died in 1873), and Beatrice L. Our subject is a stanch Dem- 



GILES COUNTY. 865 

ocrat, and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley. The Partrick family are of Irish de- 
scent, and emigrated from Ireland in the early part of the seventeenth century. 

WILEY B. PEPPER, M. D., an old practitioner of medicine, and now a druggist of 
Lynnville, Tenn., is a native of Robertson County, Tenn., born near Springfield April 13, 
1821, son of William C. and Sarah (Powell) Pepper, and is of English extraction. His 
father was a native of Virginia, and came to Tennessee with his parents in 1808. The 
family first settled where Nashville now stands, but later removed to Robertson County, 
and since then the Pepper family has figured prominently in the affairs of Robertson 
County, and there the parents of our subject deceased. Dr. Pepper's early life was 
spent on the farm. He received a liberal education at the Springfield schools, and began 
the study of medicine in 1844, graduating from the Memphis Medical College in 1849, and 
the following year located in Giles County, where he continued his profession two 
years. He then removed to Limestone County, Ala., where he remained until 1865, and 
just after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox he returned to his native county, and 
there lived five years, and in 1870 came to Lynnville, continuing the practice of his pro- 
fession about six months, and then engaged in the drug business, which he has since con- 
tinued. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Sarah E. Horwell, of Giles County. He was 
formerly an "old-line" Whig, but is now a Democrat, and was made a Mason in 1850. 
They are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is an honorable 
citizen. 

RICHARD PEPPER, a successful farmer of Giles County, was born in Robertson 
County, Tenn., and is the son of William and Sarah Pepper. He received his education 
at Springfield, Tenn., and was a school-teacher for some time. October 14, 1867, he was 
united in marriage to Mattie E. Anthony, daughter of John B. and Sarah Anthony, of 
Giles County, and to our subject and wife was born one child — Tullia. Mrs. Pepper died 
April 16, 1873, and March 11, 1874, he married, for his second wife, Ella Westmoreland, 
daughter of Thomas A. and Elizabeth J. Westmoreland. By this last union our subject 
became the father of three children: Annie, Kittle and Mildred. In 1876 Mr. Pepper 
located on the farm where he now resides, which consists of ninet3^-eight acres of fine 
land. He has been successful in most of his enterprises and is very comfortably situated. 
He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church South. 

REV. FRANCIS F. POLLARD was born in Virginia May, 1832, one of a large 
family of children born to the marriage of Uriah W. Pollard and Elizabeth Haley. Both 
born in Virginia, where the father died. The mother came to Tennessee with our subject 
in 1856, and died in Giles County November 28, 1861. Our subject's early education was 
obtained in the common schools. On the 31st of December, 1859, he and Ann E. Wells 
were united in marriage, and seven children were born to their union: William J., James 
B. (deceased), John C, Nancy A. E., Emeline, Mary F. and Sarah Helen. Mrs. Pollard 
was born on the farm where she now lives, August 5, 1831, daughter of Jesse Wells. Mr. 
Pollard served in the Ninth Alabama Cavalry, under Col. James C. Malone, but after six 
months' service was discharged for disability. He is a Democrat, and is, and has been, an 
active and eflicient minister in the Baptist Church for twelve years. He owns a planta- 
tion of 407 acres, on which he raises cotton and the cereals. 

JEFFERSON D. PULLEN, wholesale and retail grocer, is a son of John C. PuUen, 
who married Pauline Wheeler, and by her became the father of ten children. The father 
died in 1868 and the mother in 1877. Our subject is the ninth child, and in his juvenile 
days received a fair education. At the age of eighteen he began farming for himself and 
continued up to 1882, when he came to Pulaski, and engaged in his present business in 
partnership with J. S. Childress, and has succeeded beyond his expectations from a finan- 
cial stand point. He was married in 1881 to Maggie Johnson, daughter of Samuel and 
Bettie Johnson, old and prominent settlers of Giles County. Mr. Pullen is a Democrat, 
and cast his first presidential vote for Hancock. He and wife are members >>f the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. 



sen BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

RICHARD H. RAGSDALE, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Logan County, Ky., 
January 1, 1847, son of Burrell Ragsdale, who was a native of Virginia, born in 1804, and 
an early settler of Kentucky. He was twice married; his first family of ten children was 
raised in Kentuckj'. His second wife, our subject's mother was Olive F. Foote, a native 
of Tennessee, and born in November, 1813. She died in Logan County, Ky., in the spring 
of 1874, followed by the father two years later. Richard H. served in the last year of the 
war, and December 25, 1867, was married, in Giles Count}", Tenn., to Anna L. Howard, 
born in 1849, and daughter of John W. Howard. Their children are James H., Jerry, 
Gray and Eunice. Mr. Ragsdale is a Democrat; and while he has not identified himself with 
any church, his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has 151 acres 
of fine land, and gives the most of his attention to raising stock. 

ISAAC H. RAINEY, an enterprising citizen, was born in Giles County, Tenn., 
February 25, 1842; son of Horace D. and Eliza (Summerhill) Rainey, and of Scotch-En- 
glish lineage. The father was born in North Carolina June 9, 1799, and the mother was 
born in the same State in December, 1799. The Rainey family came to Giles County about 
1839. Our subject's father was a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in this 
county in June, 1863; the mother died the year previous. Isaac H. Rainey is the eighth in a 
family of nine children. He assisted his father on the farm and attended the country 
schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, First Tennessee Cavalry, and was a prisoner 
for five months. Since the war he has been engaged in the livery and farming business 
at Pulaski. In 1874 he was united in matrimony to Viola Wilkinson of Marshall County, 
and the fruits of this union were an interesting family of four children: Guy, Earl, Hugh 
and Paul. In 1877 he was elected marshal of Pulaski, and served in that capacity for six 
years. He has the only livery stable in Pulaski, and is doing a successful business. He 
is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic lodge, and he and wife are worthy members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

RUFUS C. REYNOLDS, proprietor of the Belle Air Stock Farm, was born in Giles 
County, Tenn., son of Giles A. and Minerva (Childress) Reynolds, and of Scotch-English 
lineage. His parents were born in Virginia and Tennessee, respectively; the father in 
1801, and the mother in 1811. They were married in 1829. The father came- to Tennes- 
see in 1825, and was by occupation a farmer. He died in 1867. The mother died in 1870. 
Our subject assisted his father on the farm and attended the schools in the county. He 
completed his education at the University of Mississippi, and subsequently engaged in 
breeding horses for the race course. In 1881 he purchased the famous "Almont, Jr." 
(Basticks), sire of "Annie W.," 2:20; "Judge Lindsa}'," 2:21J, etc. In addition to the 
above, Mr. Reynolds owns fifteen extra well-bred brood mares. He purchased the old 
Reynolds homestead in 1870, known as Belle Air Stock Farm, settled by his father in 1875. 
Mr. Reynolds is one of the most successful stock-men of this section of Tennessee. He 
is a Democrat and a K. of P. His farm is located one mile east of Reynolds' Station on 
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and consists of 333 acres of well improved land. 

GEORGE T. RIDDLE, cashier of the Peoples National Bank, was born in Pulaski, 
Tenn., May 23, 1844, and is the third of six children born to Thomas S. and Margaret 
(Speer~) Riddle. He is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father was born in Virginia in 1800 
and his mother was a native of the Emerald Isle. The Riddle family came to Tennes- 
see in early times, and here the father of our subject died in 1874. He was for many 
years engaged in active business in Pulaski and was couutj" trustee for several terms, and 
was a leading citizen and a useful man. Our subject was educated at Giles College, this 
county, and at Bethany College, West Virginia, where he graduated in 1867. In 1862 he 
joined the Confederate Army and served in the ordnance department until the close of 
the war. Subsequent to his college and war life he began the study of law and was 
licensed to practice, but fearing his health he abandoned the idea of a professional life. In 
1871 he was made book-keeper of the National Bank of Pulaski, and was made cashier of 
the same institution in 1873. He held this position until 1882, when the National Bank 
went into liquidation. He was then elected as director and cashier of the Peoples Na- 



GILES COUNTY. 867 

tional Bank and now holds that position. He is one of the best financiers in Pulaski, and 
a most thorough business man. In 1872 he married Annie Lea Skillern, of this county. 
He is a Democrat and a member of the K. of P., and he and wife are members of the 
Episcopal Church. 

DR. JOSEPH COLEMAN ROBERTS was born on the Madison and Limestone County 
line, in Alabama, November 18, 1823, being of honorable parentage, not wealthy. or dis- 
tinguished, but highly respected for the sort of integrity and strength and purity of char- 
acter and modesty in asserting their claims to high distinctions that constituted marked 
virtues among the agricultural classes in the earlier years of this country. He received 
an elementary education in the country schools of that day, and afterward attended the 
Frazier Academy, at Athens, Ala., and studied the classics, and at the age of about nine- 
teen began teaching school, after which he entered the oflSce of Dr. Frank Malone, at the 
Cross Roads, in Madison County, and in 1843-44 attended a course of medical lectures; af- 
ter which he located in Limestone County and practiced his profession four years. He 
then went to New York City, and graduated at the University of New York in 1848. He 
returned home and located at Bethel, Giles Co., Tenn., where he has since resided. In 
1849 he married Sarah I. Anthony, and to their union four children were born: J. C, Es- 
tella (who died in childhood), Walter A. and Sallie Bettie. The Doctor was laborious and 
persistent in his medical studies, and diligent and faithful in his professional engage- 
ments. At the beginning of the war the means he had accumulated had been invested 
mostly in slave property, and as a result of that conflict he was left comparatively penni- 
less. He offered his services to the Confederacy, and served in the field and hospital as 
aid to Dr. Ford, acting in the capacity of assistant and director. When the army com- 
manded by Beauregard and Bragg started on the Kentucky campaign, he was transferred 
to the Western Department, and was assistant to Dr. Wooten, now of Texas. After the war 
the Doctor located in Pulaski, Giles Co., Tenn., and by energy and frugality owns a neat 
and valuable brick residence on Main Street, and a farm of 600 acres of excellent land in 
the county. He has been constantly engaged in his profession for about forty- two years; 
has the reputation of being a studious, able and successful physician, and is engaged in 
active practice at the present time. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Kendrick) Rob- 
erts, were born in Georgia and were of English and Welsh ancestry. They moved to Ala- 
bama about 1800, and located where our subject was born. The father died in Lawrence 
Count}', Ala., and the mother in Mississippi. Their family consisted of seven sons and 
three daughters. Dr. Roberts is considered one of the county's best men. He is a Mason, 
a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

HON. SOLON E. ROSE, of Pulaski, is descended from an old and honored family of 
Scotland, whose history can be traced back for many generations. Col. William Rose, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Virginia, born in 1779. He moved 
to Giles County, Tenn., in 1813, and was one of the early pioneers. He wedded Elizabeth 
W. Meredith, a lady of Welsh ancestry, who bore her husband a family of seven sons: 
Edward W., William M., Alfred H., Robert H., Fielding, David E. and Solon Eldridge. 
The father was one of the foremost men in the community in which he resided. He died 
in 1851, preceded by his wife in 1820. Solon E. Rose was born in this county August 18, 1818, 
was educated at Wurtenburg Academy in Pulaski, and was reared to years of maturity in 
his native county. At eighteen years he took part in the Florida war, participating in the 
battles of Withlacoocha, Panasophca and the Wahoo Swamp. In 1839 he began the study 
of law, and when in his twenty-second year was licensed to practice. After remaining 
for a time in Pulaski he removed to Lawrenceburg, and in 1848 was elected attorney-gen- 
eral, a position he retained six years, declining a re-election. From 1848 to 1859 he was 
president of the Lawrenceburg Bank, and was also connected with other enterprises. 
During the latter year he returned to Pulaski aud formed a partnership with Judge J. A. 
Tinnon in the practice of the law, which continued until 1883, when Judge Tinnon was 
elevated to the bench. For the last fifteen years he has been president of the Giles Na- 
tional Bank of Pulaski. It would require a volume of no small dimensions to give in de- 



868 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

tail Mr. Rose's political career. It will suflBce to briefly state that lie has been active in 
advancing the cause deemed best for his country's good; that he has occupied numerous 
positions of honor and trust, and that he has reflected honor and credit upon the same. 
He is a Democrat. Mr. Rose selected for his helpmate through life Miss Marcella, daugh- 
ter of M. H. and Ethalinda (Bumpass) Buchanan, and to their union four children were 
born: Solonia M., born November 16, 1844, now Mrs. John D. Flautt; William Haynie, 
born April 19, 1847, and now a resident of this county; Elizabeth E., born in 1849, and 
died in 1858; and Solon E. F., born December 19, 1850, now residing in Mississippi. Mr. 
Rose began life without financial means, but by adhering to strict business rules in gen- 
eral, and the golden rule in particular, he has amassed a comfortable fortune and won the 
esteem of the best citizens of the State. 

HON. JAMES C. SANDERS, a native of Tennessee, was born in 1816, and is the 
fourth of eight children born to William and Elizabeth (Bellantfant) Sanders. The par- 
ents are natives of North Carolina, and immigrated to Tennessee about 1812, locating in 
Williamson County, where they remained a few years, after which they permanently 
settled in Giles County. Here the mother died in 1873, and the father too passed from 
life about four years later. Our subject passed his early life on the farm and in the dis- 
trict schools. He lived with his father having entire control of the farm until about forty 
years of age. He was bitterly opposed to secession and stood firm for the Union. Dur- 
ing the war he remained at home as quiet and peaceable as man could be under like cir- 
cumstances. In 1865 he married Catharine Parsons, a native of Tennessee, born about 
1830, and the daughter of James W. and Massie (Gordon) Parsons. Our subject began 
life a poor man, had but poor advantages for an education and yet he is a good neighbor 
and an energetic, industrious citizen. In 1869 he was elected to the State Legislature to 
represent the counties of Marshall, Lincoln and Giles. At the end of two years he return- 
ed home and confined himself to the farm until 1884, when he was again called upon to 
appear before the people as an independent candidate for representative, and was duly 
elected for the j-ears 1885 and 1886. Mr. Sanders resides in the Twelfth District, on an 
excellent farm of about 500 acres, which is fairly improved. 

SAJVIUEL D. SCOTT is a native of Giles County, Tenn., boni June 16, 1849, son of 
Thomas J. and Malinda W. (Holt) Scott, the former born in Illinois, in 1819, and was 
taken to Alabama at the age of two years. He married and removed to Mississippi, 
and at the end of seven years moved to Tennessee, and then to Alabama, and in 1881 
again to Tennessee. The mother of our subject was born in Alabama, January 11, 1823. 
Our subject always had a predilection for farming, and has made that his occupation 
through life, and now owns 380 acres of fine land, on which he raises cotton principally, 
and also takes considerable interest in stock-raising. November 12, 1868, he wedded Mary 
F. Whitfield, daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth (Simpson) Whitfield, one of the large land- 
owners and prominent planters of Giles County. To the union of our subject and wife 
were born the following children : James A. (deceased), Anna R., Minnie E. and Elizabeth 
W. The mother was born June 24, 1850. Mr. Scott is a supporter of Democratic princi- 
ples, and he and Mrs. Scott are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

JAMES SCRUGGS, farmer and stock-raiser of the Ninth District, was born in 1812, 
in Davidson County, Tenn., and is the fourth child born to the union of Thomas and 
Edna Scruggs, natives of Virginia. They immigrated to this State in 1809, and to them 
were born nine children: Elizabeth, Nancy, James, Narcissa, Mary, Jane, William H., 
and Roxie A. James, our subject, attended the common schools, where he received a lib- 
eral education. When quite young he came to Giles County, and worked at the saddler's 
trade at Elkton until 1841, after which he began farming where he now resides. He has 
600 acres on Elkton Turnpike, and is in very comfortable circumstances. All this he has 
made by hard work and good management, and is not in debt one dollar. In 1834, he 
married Susan Nelson, daughter of John and Phoebe Nelson, natives, respectively, of Ala- 
bama and Tennessee. This union of our subjects resulted in the birth of four children: 
William P., Mary E., James H. and Annie E. Mr. Scruggs, in politics, is Democratic, and 



GILES COUNTY. 869 

he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in high standing. lu 
1875, Mrs. Scruggs was paralyzed, and has never fully recovered from the stroke, but is 
much better. The Scruggs family is one of the fixtures of this county, and all are good 
citizens. 

GEORGE E. SHORT, farmer and native of Giles County, Tenn., was born about three 
miles from Pulaski, Tenn., July 11, 1829. His parents, J. T. and Elizabeth (Abernathy) 
Short, were born in Brunswick Co., Va., in 1793 and 1803, respectively. They moved to 
Giles County, Tenn., in 1828, and settled about three miles southwest of Pulaski. The 
father was a planter, and followed that calling until his death, which took place in Giles 
County, in 1875. The mother died three years earlier. Of their ten children, our subject 
was the fifth. He was educated at the old field schools and at the schools of Pulaski. In 
the fall of 1862, he enlisted in the Third Tennessee Infantry, Capt. Ray's Company, Con- 
federate States Army, and after nearly one year's service he was released on account of 
physical disability, and after peace was established he again resumed farming. He 
owns 480 acres of land, the greater part of which is in a fine state of cultivation. He 
resides in Pulaski. In 1858 he was married to Virginia M. Boisseau, who died February 
23, 1881. In 1882, his marriage with Virginia C. Reynolds was consumated. They have 
one child: George Edward. Mr. Short is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are well respected citizens of the county. 

PROF. WILLIAM J. SMITH, merchant, is a son of Lawrence and Mary J. (Over- 
street) Smith, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee in 1807 and 1818, respect- 
ively. The father immigrated to Tennessee about 1815, and settled in Maury County, 
and there died in 1879. William J., our subject, was born in Giles County, July 28, 1837, 
and after fitting himself for college atPisgah, Tenn., completed his education in Lebanon 
University, at Lebanon, Tenn., and entered North Carolina University in 1862. In the 
late civil war he served in Company B, Forty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, and was captured 
at Port Hudson, but was soon paroled. After the battle of Missionary Ridge, he was in 
Gen. J. E. Johnston's army and later in Hood's army. He was captured at the second 
battle of Nashville and taken to Camp Douglas, and there held until the close of the war. 
For fifteen years subsequent to the war he taught school in Alabama, and was pronounced 
a competent and sucessful educator. Since 1881 he has resided in Lynnville, Tenn., and 
he and his brother, C. A. Smith, are associated in the merchandise business, the style of 
the firm being Smith Bros. Our subject is also engaged in farming; and in 1873 was 
married to S. E. Scruggs, at Portland, Ala. Prof. Smith is a Mason and is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

NATHAN A. SMITH'S birth occurred in Giles County, Tenn., March 24, 1857, and 
he there received his education in the common schools. He has always followed the 
fortunes of a farmer's life, and in 1874 located on 143 acres of valuable and well improved 
land. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Loretta K. Shields, of Giles County, and five 
children are the result of their union: Susie, Jimmie, Owen B., John A. and one infant 
daughter. Mr. Smith is of Irish extraction, and in politics is a Democrat, and he and 
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. His wife is a daughter of James and 
Eliza Shields, and he is a son of Nathan and Frances Smith, who were born in Virginia 
and Tennessee, respectively, and were married about the year 1835. Eleven children 
were born to them, named Elizabeth, Thomas G., David J., Susan A., Owen S., William 
C, Nathan A., Fannie, Sallie J., Charles V. and one infant, deceased. The father died in 
1864, but the mother is still living. 

HON. NOBLE SMITHSON was born December 7, 1841, near Nolensville, Will- 
iamson Co., Tenn., and resided in said county until 1853. He, with his parents, then re- 
moved to Lexington, Ala., and resided there until 1865, when he came to Pulaski, and 
has since continued to reside here. His father is the Rev. John G. Smithson, who was 
born in Virginia, in 1820, and who immigrated to Tennessee in 1830, and settled in Will- 
iamson County. He is a clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and now 
resides near Pulaski. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Hezekiah Powell 



870 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Smithson, a Virginian, and a soldier in the war of 1812. At one time he was sheriff of 
Pittsylvania County, Va. The great-grandfather of our subject was Francis Smith- 
son, also a Virginian, who died in Maury County, Tenn. The family came from North 
Cumberland County, Eng., to Virginia. The mother of our subject was Ann Vaughn 
Ladd, born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1818, and was a daughter of Noble Ladd and 
Mary Burton Ladd. Her parents were natives, respectively, of Rockingham and Stokes 
Counties, N. C She died near Pulaski, Tenn., July 20, 1886. Our subject's early life was 
spent on the farm. His father being in humble circumstances, he labored to aid him in 
the support of the family and received a good English education, and April 2, 1865, wed- 
ded Alice Patterson, of Giles County, and by this union has six children. He has been a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is now a Mason and Knight Tem- 
plar. He is also a Knight of Honor and a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. He is a member of the Tennessee Historical Society and of the Bar Association of 
Tennessee. He is one of the leading lawyers of the State, and in politics is Independent. 
He is an advocate of woman suffrage, and district attorney-general for the Eleventh Cir- 
cuit, composed of the counties of Williamson, Maury, Marshall, Giles, Lawrence, Lewis 
and Hickman, from November, 1867, to September, 1870. He was elected to the Thirty- 
eighth General Assembly as State Senator, from the Fifteenth Senatorial District, com- 
posed of the counties of Giles, Lawrence, Wayne and Lewis, November 6, 1872, for the 
next two years, 1873-74. He was chairman of the judiciary committee and also chairman 
of a special joint committee to investigate the affairs of the Bank of Tennessee. He was 
one of the thirteen senators who voted for the public school law of 1873, under which the 
present system of popular education has grown to be so efficient and beneficial to the 
State. He was a delegate to the National Greenback Convention at Indianapolis in 1876, 
which nominated Peter Cooper for the presidency. He has a large practice in the local 
courts and the supreme court of Tennessee, and is a distinguished lawyer and an eminent 
citizen. 

REV. JOHN G. SMITHSON, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, was born in 1820 in 
Pittsylvania County Va., and is the son of Hezekiah and Henrietta Smithson natives of 
Virginia. They were married about 1810 in Virginia, and to this union were born eight 
children: Hezekiah, Eliza, Henrietta, Paten, John G., Nathaniel, William and Henry C. 
The subject's father was a very prominent man in Virginia, and was sheriff of Pittsyl- 
vania County for many years. Our subject moved to Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1827 
with his father, but afterward moved to Williamson County, Tenn., and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools of that county. In 1841 he was married to Ann V. Ladd, 
the daughter of Noble and Mary Ladd, natives of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Smithson were born fifteen children: Noble H., Mary H., Anne, Martha J., Rebecca J., 
Fountain D., John G., Paten C, Sarah E., Thornton L., William B., Isaac N., Alice D., 
Thomas F. and Henry C. In 1866 our subject purchased 850 acres where he is now re- 
siding. It consists of excellent land, three and a half miles west of Pulaski, all well im- 
proved and a part in cultivation. He has been a local Methodist Episcopal minister in this 
county since 1854. The Smithson family are all highly respected citizens, and the early 
members of the family were among the first settlers of Tennessee. Mr. Smithson owns a 
half-interest in the cotton and grist-mills known as the Vale Mills, which are very fam- 
ous all over the country. He is also a stockholder in a turnpike, and a Republican in 
politics. 

ISAAC NEWTON SMITHSON, of the firm of J. G. & N. Smithson, manufacturers of 
cotton goods, flour, meal, at the point known as Vale Mills in the Sixth District of Giles 
County, was born in 1858 in Alabama, and is a son of John G. and Ann V. Smithson, 
natives of Virginia, and Tennessee, respectively. Isaac received a liberal education in 
the Giles College, at Pulaski, and in early life assisted on the farm. He moved with his 
father to this State in 1866, and settled in Giles County. After completing his education at 
Giles College he was engaged as one of the teachers in that institution, and remained there 
one year. He then engaged in the book and stationery business until 1883, when he sold 



GILES COUNTY, 871 

out his interest aud moved to where he now resides at Vale Mills. The grades of flour 
manufactured by this firm are very fine, and their brand of flour known as "Excelsior" 
is extensively used in Middle Tennessee. September, 10, 1884, Mr. Smithson led to the 
altar Louise C. Harrison, daughter of Col. Thomas J. and L. E. Harrison of Indiana. 
Our subject is Independent in political belief, and he and wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Smithson is a member of the K. of P., at Pulaski, and 
of English-Irish descent. 

JOSEPH B STACY, clerk and master of the chancery court of Giles County, Tenn., 
was born in Franklin, Williamson Co., Tenn., October 4, 1827, son of Mahlon and Eliza- 
beth G. Stacy, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was a native of North Carolina, 
born in 1797, and the mother of our subject was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 
1803. The Stacy famil}^ immigrated to Tennessee about 1803, settling in Davidson Coun- 
tj"; afterward removed to Williamson County, where they remained until 1828. Mahlon 
Stacy then removed to Giles County, where the mother of our subject died in 1876. The 
father died in 1880. Our subject is the second son of four children. He grew to man- 
hood on the farm, received a practical education, came to Pulaski in 1845, and until 1851 
was engaged as a clerk. He then engaged in merchandising, which he continued until 
1859. In 1854 he married Miss Rebecca J. Johnson, daughter of Richard Johnson. The 
birth of four children blessed this union, two of whom are still living, to wit: Maria L. 
and Richard M. In 1862 Mr. Stacy joined the First Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate 
States Army, and was in the command of Col. James T. Wheeler. He took an active 
part in the battles of Corinth and Nashville. At the time of the surrender he was at 
Columbus, Miss. He returned to Pulaski in 1865. and the year following was engaged in 
general merchandising in thi^ city. He continued this business until 1870, when he was 
appointed clerk and master of the chancery court, which position he has held continu- 
ously since, save a period of about six months. He is one of the best county officials the 
county has ever had. He is a true Democrat, and one of the leading stock-men of Giles 
Count3^ He has given special attention to blooded horses and cattle since 1878, and has 
one of the best stock farms in Giles County. He is one of the most prominent men of 
this county, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN T. STEELE, M. D., a prominent and successful practitioner, and a native of 
Giles County, was born October 1, 1826, and is the only child born to the union of Robert 
G. and Sarah Y. (Graves) Steele, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Tennessee. 
The father was a tiller of the soil and a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject received 
his education in the best county schools. In the year 1843 he began reading medicine 
with Dr. E. R. Field, of Pulaski, where he remained for two years. He then entered the 
old University of Penuslyvania, and graduated in the spring of 1848. He located in 
Pulaski, and entered into partnership with Dr. C. Perkins and practiced one year; after 
which he moved to Arkansas, locating at Augusta, and remained there three years. In 
1853 he returned to Giles County, and since that time has been located in different parts 
of the county. In 1880 he located on the site where he now lives, which consists of a 
farm containing 215 acres of good land, with neat residences. erected on it. He has also a 
saw and grist-mill erected on the farm, both in good running condition. December 1, 
1853, he married Josephine C. Wilkes, a native of Maury County, born June 17, 1836. 
This union resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven of whom are living: Hume R., 
Robert W.. Judith L., Hortense, Mattie R., John F. and Fannie C. Mr. Steele is a Dem- 
ocrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

COLEMAN L. STEVENSON, a first-class farmer and stock-raiser, residing in the 
Ninth Civil District of Giles County, was born in that county December 26, 1832, and is 
the sou of William P. and Malinda Stevenson, both natives of North Carolina. The father 
of our subject was born in North Carolina in 1810, and received his education in the 
schools of Giles County. He was a farmer by occupation, and by his marriage, in 1830, 
became the father of these children: Coleman L., Elam R., Joseph J., Presley W., Will- 
iam F., Sarah A. P., John H. and Wilber M. The father settled where he now resides in 



872 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

« 

1838, and has 300 acres of valuable land, all well improved. He has four brothers who 
are ministers of the gospel, and his father was also a very prominent Methodist Episcopal 
minister. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Rev. Elam and Lydia Stevenson, 
natives of North Carolina, who were married about 1805, and located in Giles County, 
Tenn., about 1813. To them were born these children: Katheriue, William P., James C, 
Abner A., Willis M., Minerva J., John B., Thomas C, Amanda, Elara A. and Gilbert! 
The grandfather died in 1875 and the grandmother in 1872. Our subject, Coleman L. 
Stevenson, received a fair education, and has been engaged in farming from early youth. 
January 28, 1855, he was married to Louisa Jackson, daughter of Barrington and Nancy 
Jackson, natives of North Carolina, and to this union was born one child— William B. 
Mrs. Stevenson died February 1, 1856, and February 5, 1857, he was married to his sister- 
in-law, Dorcas Jackson. The last union resulted in the birth of three sons: James M., 
Elam A. and Thomas M. Besides his own children he took three orphan children to raise: 
Martha V., Nancy M. and Mary J. They are the daughters of James and Mary Jackson 
(deceased). In 1862 Mr. Stevenson enlisted in the Thirty-second Tennessee Regiment of 
Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He participated in most of the princi- 
pal battles, and was a brave and gallant soldier. Mr. Stevenson and family are consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has a good farm of 265 acres 
where he now lives, and 400 acres in other parts of Giles County. He is a Democrat in 
politics. 

WILBUR M. STEPHENSON, farmer and stock-raiser of the Ninth District of Giles 
County, Tenn., was born on the 20th of January, 1841, and is a son of William P. and 
Malinda Stephenson. In his youth he attended the common schools of Giles Coun- 
ty, Tenn., and his early occupation was farming. At the breaking out of the late 
civil war he enlisted in the Thirty-second Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, and served 
until the fall of 1864, when he was compelled to abandon service owing to ill health. 
After recovering he resumed farming, and in 1884 settled upon his valuable and well-im- 
proved farm of 112 acres. Besides this he owns a valuable tract of land lying along Elk 
River, and near the town of Elkton. Our subject is a Democrat. November 9, 1865, he led 
to the hymeneal altar, Martha J. Hampton, daughter of Matison and Melissa Hampton, 
of Lincoln County. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson are the parents of the following children: 
Matison P., John L., Maggie and Erskin. Husband and wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church South. 

GEORGE E. SUTTLE, a native of Giles County, and a successful farmer and stock- 
raiser, was born December 29, 1829, and is the son of Richard C. and Harriet A. Suttle, 
natives of Virginia, who were married in East Tennessee about 1826, and settled in Giles 
County in 1827. They had an interesting family of ten children, named Mary E., George 
E., Saraphana, Lucius D., Willimina, Matherine, Leroy W., Delphina, William D. and an 
infant daughter that died in 1857. The mother of these children is still living. Our sub- 
ject is of Scotch-Irish descent. He received the rudiments of his education in the com- 
mon schools, and then finished at the Murfreesboro University in 1853. September 17, 
1861, he was married to Theodosia O. Green, who was born April 11, 1842, and who is the 
daughter of Alfred B. and Sarah O. Green, natives of Tennessee. By this union our sub- 
ject became the father of seven children— two daughters and five sons: Lizzie L., William 
D., Harry H., Claud, two infants, boy and girl (twins), and James P. Claud died July 
16, 1874, and the twins died in 1877. In 1869 he settled on the farm where he now lives, 
which consists of 443 acres of valuable land five miles east of Pulaski, on the old Elkton 
road. He is regarded as a No. 1 farmer and an excellent citizen. He also owns some 
valuable city property on East Hill in Pulaski. Mr. Suttle is a Democrat, and he and 
children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. Suttle is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, at Pulaski. The Suttle family is very old and highly re- 
spected. 

EPPERSON TARPLEY, Esq., wagon and carriage manufacturer, was born in 1846 
in Giles County, and is of Irish descent. He attended the district schools, and afterward 



GILES COUNTY. 873 

finished his education in Giles Acadeniy, in Pulaski. He then engap^ed in agricultural 
pursuits, and continued this occupation until 1867, when he entered into his present busi- 
ness. He has been rather successful at this, and is doing a good business. In 1862 his 
marriage with Malissa A. Kellum was solemnized. She is the daughter of Thomas J. and 
Nancy J. Kellum, of Giles County. The marriage of our subject resulted in the birth of 
six children: Lizzie V., Silas E., Elwood L., Alice B., Guy and Earl. The family are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in high standing. In 1868 Mr. Tarpley 
■was elected magistrate of the Eighth District of Giles County, and still holds that posi- 
tion. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the F. & A. M. fraternity. His par- 
ents are Silas S. and Susan V. Tarpley, natives of Tennessee. 

CALLAWAY H. TIDWELli, Esq., a prominent farmer andstock-raiser of the Sixth Dis- 
trict of Giles County, is a son of Vincent and Phebe Tidwell and the grandson of Isaac 
and Elizabeth Tidwell, who immigrated to this State from South Carolina and settled in 
this county in the early part of the eighteenth century. Our subject's mother was the 
daughter of Silas Rackley of South Carolina, who came to Tennessee at an early date and 
settled in Lawrence County. The parents of our subject were married January 10, 1817 
and their family consisted of eleven children: Callaway H., Jane E., Silas, Elizabeth,' 
Charles W., Darling M., William G., Thomas B., James P., Melissa A. and Andrew J. 
Callaway passed his youthful days on the farm and secured a practical education in the 
country schools. In 1841 he was united in marriage to Leah Tucker, a native of Giles 
County, born February 17, 1825, and the daughter of Anderton and Stacy Tucker, natives 
of North Carolina, who immigrated to this State at an early day and made their home in 
this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Tidwell were born eleven children: Nancy J., Margaret A. 
Stacy E., William C, Martha C, Vincent M., Phebe M., Alice N., Mary W., Charles W' 
and Ozro H. Our subject settled where he is now living in 1874, and his farm consists of 
500 acres of excellent land, all well improved and a part of the same in a high state of cul- 
tivation. He also owns 600 acres more, all well improved, in other parts of the county. 
He has been very successful financially, as he started in life with very little of this world's 
goods. He was elected magistrate in 1845, and has held the office in an able and capable 
manner. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Trinity, 
and are all very highly respected citizens. Mr. Tidwell's political belief is Democratic. 

JAMES J. UPSHAW, M. D., dealer in drugs and general merchandise, is a son of 
James and Elinor Upshaw, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. They were 
married about 1842, in Limestone County, Ala., and to them was born a family of three 
children: George L., William E. and James J. The father died November 6, 1858, and 
the mother in 1864. Our subject was horn in 1858, in Giles County, received a fair edu- 
cation, and in 1876 began the study of medicine with Dr. James A. Bowers (deceased), of 
Elkton. He graduated from the University of Louisville in 1878, after which he came to 
Elkton, where he has remained ever since. He has had a good and lucrative practice, 
and was one of the county's best physicians. In 1883 he abandoned his practice, and has 
since devoted all his time to his present business. In 1878 he married Violet R. Patter- 
son, daughter of John C. and Elinor Patterson, of Giles County. The result of our sub- 
ject's marriage was the birth of two children: Louis B. and Minnie L. Dr. Upshaw is of 
English extraction, a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church at Elkton. 

REV. JOHN F. WALKER is a son of William B. and Ann (Scott) Walker. The 
father was born in Virginia in 1789, and after his marriage immigrated to Tennessee and 
located in Wayne County. On building his first house in 1816 the logs were cut from the 
forest, the house erected and the goods put in in one day. He was magistrate of his dis- 
trict twelve years, and died on the old homestead in April, 1873. The mother was born 
in 1794 and died in 1876. Our subject was born January 17, 1821, and received such early 
education as the primitive schools of his day afforded, and finished his education at Cum- 
berland University, at Lebanon, Tenn. He taught school, and devoted his time until 
twenty-four years old to completing his education, when he was ordained a minister of the 



874 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and has been an active and efficient laborer in the cause 
forty-one years. He joined the Fifty-third Tennessee Infantry as chaplain, and was cap- 
tured at Fort Donelson and kept a prisoner at Indianapolis, Ind., and later at Camp Chase, 
Ohio, where, through the influence of Gov. Tod, he was given the privilege of the city. 
He was confined at Johnson's Island for some time, when he, with a number of chaplains 
and surgeons, were released as non-combatants, and allowed to return home. March 21, 
1855, he wedded E. A. Brown, and eight children were the results of this union: Her- 
schel P., W. B., J. Luther, C. Herbert, Lura, Ida and Dezzie. Mrs. Walker was born 
January 17, 1831, daughter of Rev. B. Brown, who was an early pioneer of Tennessee 
and an efficient and popular divine. He died about 1875 and the mother in 1885. Mr. 
Walker is conservative in his political views. He owns a farm of 157 acres, and is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. 

DR. MARK S. WATERS, physician, and owner of the farm "Wood Lawn," was 
born August 30, 1833, the eldest of three children of David M. and Sarah F. (Toland) Wat- 
ers, who were born in South Carolina and Alabama in 1813 and 1814, and died in 1860 and 
1836, respectively. Our subject received the rudiments of his education in the common 
schools, and completed his literary education at Cumberland University. He began read- 
ing medicine with Dr. Elihu Edmundson, and attended two courses of lectures, and grad- 
uated from the old University of Nashville and later from the old University of New 
York, and now possesses an extensive practice. April 7, 1857, Maggie M. White, born 
April 20, 1835, became his wife. She is a daughter of James and Matilda M. (Gooch) 
White, who were born in Georgia and North Carolina in 1794 and 1800, respectively. The 
father died in 1877. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was pronounced one of 
nature's purest and best men. Our subject served in his professional capacity two years 
in the late war, but finally resigned his commission at Dalton, Ga. Dr. Waters is a con- 
servative Democrat, well posted on the politics of the day. He and wife are parents of 
the following children: Thomas M., David S. (a promising young man and a medical 
graduate of the old University of Nashville), James W., Archibald C, Addison K., Guy 
S., Maggie L. and Fannie T. Dr. Waters is a Mason, and owns 280 acres of good land. 
He is a generous citizen and aids all enterprises for the public weal. 

JOHN R. D. WILLIAMS, of the firm of Williams & Watson, lumber dealers, of 
Pulaski, Tenn., was born in Giles County in 1840, and is a son of William J. and Martha 
Williams, who were born in Tennessee and were married in 1839, and located in Giles 
County in 1840. Their family consisted of John R. D., Joseph, Mary, Lou and Melvin. 
The mother died in 1851. John R. D. was educated in the common schools, and in early 
life worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ninth Tennessee Battalion 
of Cavalry, serving four years and participating in several of the principal battles. At 
the close of the war he was employed by the Government as bridge carpenter, but soon 
abandoned that occupation and engaged in building and contracting, following that busi- 
ness until 1877. He then entered into his present business in Pulaski, and has been very 
successful. In 1865 he was married to Maggie J. Walker, daughter of William M. Walker, 
of Maury County. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Williams 
is a Democrat and a member of the F. & A. M. 

DR. THOMAS L. WILLIAMS, a successful practitioner, was born in Giles County 
September 9, 1832, and is the son of George and Sarah (Graves) Williams, natives of Ten- 
nessee. They were married in Giles County in 1826, and moved to Mississippi in 1837, 
where they remained until 1839. To them were born three children: John, Thomas L. 
and George. The father died in 1852 and the mother in 1842. Our subject received his 
education in the common schools of Arkansas, and in early life was engaged in farming 
and blacksmithing. In 1856 he began his medical studies, which he continued until the 
breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in the Fortieth Arkansas Regiment of Volun- 
teers, but owing to failing health he was soon discharged from the service. He then re- 
sumed his medical studies. In 1869 he graduated from the medical department of the 
University of Louisville, and returning to Elkton located there, where he has since re- 



GILES COUNTY. 875 

mained. In 1859 he took for his wife Carrie Bull, daughter of Adrian D. and Ursula Bull, 
of Giles County. To our subject and wife was born one daughter — Katie. Dr. Williams 
is one of the county's best physicians, as his many patients yet living can testify. He has 
been very successful professionally as well as financially, and is a self-made man in every 
respect. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. 

SAMUEL S. WILLIAMSON was born within a mile of his present place of residence 
March 19, 1835. He has always been a tiller of the soil, and until attaining his majority 
resided with his parents. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and fought at Vera Cruz, 
Matamoras, and was at one time confined to the hospital and pronounced incurable, but 
finally rallied, and is now enjoying the health usually allotted to man. He was married 
in Giles County, Tenn., March 9, 1854, to Jane P. Rainey, daughter of Horace D. Raiuey, 
and to them were born three children: John E., Horace Glenn, and Lizzie C. (wife of J. B. 
Potts). Horace G. is a physician, who graduated from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 
Tenn., and is practicing at Prospect. John E. died on the train eighty miles west of New 
Orleans December 23, 1883, while en route home from California, whither he had gone for 
his health. Mrs. Williamson was born in North Carolina October 7, 1825, and came to 
Tennessee in 1837. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South, and he is a Democrat and belongs to the I. O. O. F. His parents, John and Susan 
(Sutherland) Williamson, were born in North Carolina and Virginia in 1784 and 1783 re- 
spectively. They were early settlers of Tennessee. The father died October 14, 1856, and 
the mother in 1859. 

SAMUEL A. WILSON, a leading citizen of Giles County, was born in 1823, and is 
living on the farm of his birth. He was united in marriage in 1857 to Mary Herron, who 
was born in Mississippi in 1837, and the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wynne) Herron, 
natives of Tennessee, born, respectively, in 1808 and in 1816, and died in 1844 and in 1879. 
To our subject and wife were born three children: Sallie W., Herron C. and Georgie W. 
Mr. Wilson remained on the farm with his father until 1843, when he went to Yazoo 
City, and engaged in merchandising in partnership with his brother for about five j^ears. 
He then moved to Memphis, Tenn., and embarked in the dry goods business, which occu- 
pation he followed for four years. He then, in partnership with Norman & Carter, 
opened a cotton commission house, which also proved successful until the breaking out of 
the Rebellion. Mr. Wilson then went to Mississippi and opened a tannery, and was en- 
gaged in this business until the close of the war, after which he re-opened the cotton 
commission house, the firm being then known as Wilson, Carter & Co. In 1867 Mr. AVil- 
son sold out and returned to Tennessee, locating on the farm of his birth, which consists 
of 400 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat in politics, 
and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His wife is also a member of 
the same church. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Weir) Wilson, were natives of Vir- 
ginia, born, respectively, in 1783 and 1782. The father was a farmer by occupation, and 
participated in the war of 1812, and was also with Jackson in the Creek and Seminole In- 
dian wars. He died in 1857, and his wife followed him the same year. 

JOSEPH M. WRIGHT, a prominent man and successful dentist of Elkton, Tenn., 
was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., November 4, 1839, and is the fifth of a family of six 
children, and received his education in the common schools of his native county. His 
early days were spent in farming, and in 1867 he began the study of dentistry with G. A. 
Dewey, of Glasgow, Ky., and two years later began practicing. In 1870 he removed to 
Mississippi, and after a three years' residence in that State lived a short time in Giles 
County, Tenn., and then moved to Texas, where he resided until 1878. At that date he 
returned to Giles County, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his 
profession, and has met with good success financially and professionally. In 1874 he was 
married to Elmira N. Benson, daughter of Benjamin and Adaline Benson, and to them 
was born one child. Mrs. Wright died|in 1881, and in 1884 Mr. Wright married Susan 
A. Graves. Both are church members, and our subject is a Democrat. His parents. 



876 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Jacob R. and Mary Wright, were Tennesseeans, and were married about 1836. Their chil- 
dren are Laminda, Minerva, Martha J., John D., Joseph M. and Jacob A. The father died 
in ISSejand the mother in 1844. 

HUGH YOKLEY, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Davidson County, N. C, in 
1813, son of Andrew and Delia (Morris) Yokley, and is of Irish-Dutch origin. Both 
parents were born in the same State and county as our subject, and came to Tennessee 
and settled in Giles County in 1816, where they died. Hugh is the eldest of six living 
children, and attended the first schools of Giles County. He has lived the free, happy 
and independent life of a farmer, and settled on the farm where he now lives in 1841. He 
is an extensive land owner, and has been quite prosperous financially. In March, 1838, 
he wedded Martha Hannah, who was born September 29, 1817, daughter of James 
Hannah, a native of Ireland. They have six children: Sophronia, Martha A., Catherine, 
Henrietta, Eugenia and HughL. Mr. Yokley was formerly an old-line Whig, but is now 
a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he 
belongs to the I. O. 0. F. and G. T., and is considered one of the substantial and worthy 
citizens of the county. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 

J. S. ALEXANDER, proprietor of livery and feed stable, of Fayetteville, began busi. 
ness in 1876, and although his success was on a very small scale at first, he is at present 
the owner of eight vehicles and twelve horses, and is constantly increasing his stock. He 
was born in Lincoln County in 1838. son of Wiley M. and Nancy (Renegar) Alexander, 
born, respectively, in Tennessee and North Carolina in 1816. The father was an early 
settler of Lincoln County, and was a stock speculator and a man of exceptional business 
capacity. He was married in 1835, and died in 1881. He was tax collector and sheriff of 
the county several years. Of his eight children, four are living: W. S., J. S. (our subject), 
W. W. and Philomena (Mrs. A. J. Crisman). Our subject was educated in Mulberry, 
Tenn., and at the age of sixteen began clerking in a dry goods store, and two years later 
went to Shelbyville, where he was engaged in the grocer}^ business for two years. In 
1861 he enlisted in Company B, First Tennessee Regiment, and fought in the battle of 
Manasses, Gettysburg, Sharpsburg, Cedar Run, Seven Pines, Richmond, Chancellorsville, 
Harper's Ferry, Fredericksburg and Petersburg, where he was wounded and taken pris- 
oner, and was taken to Washington, D. C, the day Lee surrendered. In 1865 he re- 
turned, after an absence of four years. December 22, 1868, he wedded Florinda H. Smith, 
daughter of Champion E. Smith. Mrs. Alexander was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., 
May 18, 1845, and is the mother of four children: George R., Claud, Frank and an infant 
son. He farmed four years after the war, and in 1873 came to Fayetteville, and estab- 
lished a retail liquor store, but ten years later engaged in his present occupation. He is 
a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. 

ANDERSON ALSUP, farmer, was born in Granger County, Tenn., July 16, 1809, and 
was educated in the schools near his home. In March, 1831, he married Sarah, daughter 
of John and Priscilla Davis. She was born in Lincoln County in 1815, and is the mother 
of four children: J. V., Amanda E. (Mrs. T. H. Kennedy), Mary A. (Mrs. R. P. Smith), 
and W. B. Mr. Alsup located on the old home-place after his marriage, and there has 
since resided, and at the present time owns about 400 acres of very fine land. He has 
been a successful business man, and has given his children good educational advantages. 
He has been magistrate of his district four years. He is a Democrat, and cast his first 
Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 877 

Alsup's parents were James aud Abigail Alsup, born in Virginia and Pennsylvania, re- 
spectively, the former in 1769. He came to Tennessee at an early date, and died in Lin- 
coln County in 1829. The mother departed this life in 1848. 

WILLIAM H. ASHBY, farmer, is a son of Halifax and Eliza Jane (Hall) Ashby and 
was born in Lincoln Countj', May 28, 1830. He was one of a family of eleven children, 
ten of whom are living. The grandfather, also named Halifax, was born in England, 
immigrated to North Carolina, where he reared his family. Our subject's father was born 
in North Carolina, in March, 1807, and received his education in the schools in the vicin- 
ity. He was married in 1829, and followed agricultural pursuits, owning at the time of 
his death, which occurred in October, 1873, 250 acres of good productive land. The mother 
of our subject was born in North Carolina in May, 1808, and died in March, 1876. Will- 
iam, our subject, received his education in the common schools, and, November 2, 1852, 
was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Ramsey. This union resulted in the birth of 
nine children, seven of whom are living; Benjamin A., Sallie J. (wife of L. H. Wiley), 
James H., Felix B., Tinnie, Mary E. (wife of William Pjiant) and Willie E. Mr. Ashby 
now owns 300 acres of valuable land and is in good circumstances. June 30, 1866, Mrs. 
Ashby died, and in August. 1868, Mr. Ashby wedded Ellen E. Wadley, a native of Ten- 
nessee, born March 9, 1840, and a daughter of J. B. and Matilda Wadley. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Ashby were born five children: John M., David W., Susan C, Eliza D., and Ida 
May. Mr. Ashby is a life-long Democrat and was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. 
He and wife are leading members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

TRAVIS D. ASHBY, farmer, and the son of Peter and Mary J. (George) Ashby, was 
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1847. The father was born in Lincoln County, inl821 
and was a tiller of the soil. In 1844 he was married and became the father of three chil- 
dren: Elzina (wife of S. E. Keith, deceased), Sallie H. (wife of LaFayette Kimes), and 
Travis D., our subject. The father died in 1856. The mother of our subject was also 
born in Lincoln County about 1830, and is now living in the Fifth District, and is a de- 
vout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject remained with his 
mother till he was twenty-five years of age, and received his education in the district 
schools. December 25, 1872, he was united in marriage to Nancy J. Cunningham, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Sarah Cunningham, and the fruits of this union were four children, three 
of whom are living: James N., Sallie E. and Luler T. About three years previous to his 
marriage he purchased 100 acres of land where he now resides, and through industry, 
frugality and close attention to business has added to his estate till he now owns 365 acres 
of good, productive land. He is a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for Horatio 
Seymour. He is a Mason, and he and wife are among the most respected members of the 
Primitive Baptist Church. 

J. W. BARNETT, groceryman and mayor of Fayetteville, Tenn., was born in Salem, 
Va., in 1846, son of John L. and Lucinda (Williams) Barnett. They were of Scotch-Irish 
and Welsh-English descent, born in Virginia, in 1814 and 1821, respectively. The father 
followed merchandising in Virginia for forty years, but is now living a retired life. He 
has been twice married (the mother died in 1854), his second wife being Mary A. Logan. 
Two of the three children by the first marriage are living. The second wife bore one 
child. Our subject attended Roanoke College, Virginia, and at the age of seventeen en- 
listed in the Salem Artillery' of Hardway's battalion, took an active part in the battles of 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Richmond, Appomattox Court House and others, and served 
until the final surrender. In 1867 he began clerking in his father's store but removed to 
Pulaski, Tenn., in 1871 and continued clerking. In 1878 he came to Fayetteville and formed 
a partnership with F. W. Brown in a genera;i merchandise store. In 1882 he established 
a staple and family grocery store, and has since been engaged in that business. In Janu- 
ary, 1874, he married Julia C. Gordon, who was born in 1850, and has borne her husband four 
children: Clare Lou, Mary B., James W. and Julius L. Mrs. Barnett died in 1881, and 
the following year Mr. Barnett married Sadie E., sister of his first wife, born in 1845, and 
daughter of John T. Gordon. Mr. Barnett was chosen mayor of Fayetteville in 1885 and 

S5 



878 BIOGEAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

yet holds the office. He is a Democrat and a member of the K. of H. and A. 0. U. W. 
He and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. 

A. F. BASS, merchant at McDowell's Mills, was born in Giles County February 7, 
1854, and was one of three children of Farmington and Naomi Bass, born in Giles County, 
Tenn., in 1818 and 1817, and died in 1884 and'1876,^respectively. They were married about 
1840, and the father followed farming through life. Our subject received such education 
and rearing as is usually given a farmer's boy, and in 1881 he and Janey Bennett were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Bass was born in Giles County in 1860, and is a member of the 
Christian Church. After his marriage, Mr. Bass farmed for two years, and then began 
merchandising at Bunker's Hill, remaining one year. In 1885 he located at McDowell's 
Mills, where he keeps an excellent general merchandise store, and is doing a paying busi- 
ness. He takes an active part in all laudable enterprises and is doing much toward im- 
proving and building up the place. He gives his support to the Democratic party. 

MRS. N. E. BENSON, of the Sixteenth District, was born in Lincoln County, April, 
1828, and was one of two children born to W. and Cynthia Hayes. Her father was born 
in North Carolina in 1793, and died November 5, 1866. He was in the war of 1812, under 
Gen. Jackson, and was a farmer by occupation. The mother of our subject was born in 
Lincoln County, and departed this life December 19, 1865. The other child of our sub- 
ject's parents was Commodore P., who was a farmer and resided in Lincoln County. He 
died December 25, 1867. Our subject received her education in the schools near home, 
and December 4, 1845, was united in marriage to Curran D. Benson, a native of Giles 
County, born September 10, 1820. By this union, Mrs. Benson became the mother of 
three children— one of whom is living: Thomas E., born November 14, 1846, and died 
August 22, 1876; E. F., born April 6, 1849, and died July 5, 1873; and Ella O., born June 
15, 1857, and the wife of W. G. Harwell, a farmer of Giles County. They have five chil- 
dren: Robert E., William S., Fannie E., Sally M. and an infant. Mr. Benson (our sub- 
ject's husband) owned over 100 acres of valuable land at the time of his death, which 
occurred August 20, 1868. The land was then divided among the children and wife. 
The wife now owns about 200 acres, located near Millville, and it is considered a fine 
farm. 

DR. WILLIAM BONNER, dec'd,, a native of Granville Co., N. C, was born October 
7, 1798, and came to Tennessee with his father December, 1808. For two or three years 
the family lived in Williamson County, near Nolensville, and then came to Lincoln 
County, where William Bonner and his brother Moses continued to reside until their 
death. The whole of the southern portion of Middle Tennessee was then but sparsely 
settled, and William Bonner, seeing that physicians, even in urgent cases, could be had 
only by sending fifty or one hundred miles, young as he was, without prompting from 
others, determined to study medicine. In 1821 he went to Nashville and began the study 
of medicine under Drs. McNairy and Overton. He never ceased to speak of their kind- 
ness and of Mrs. McNairy as one of the noblest of women. In the winter of 1822-23 
he attended a course of lectures at Lexington, Ky. In the spring of 1823 he began the 
practice of medicine in Lincoln County, and soon had a large and lucrative business, mak- 
ing money enough to pay his unpaid bills in Nashville and bear the expenses of a course 
of lectures in Philadelphia. He received his diploma in the spring of 1837. In extreme 
' and desperate cases he informed his patients and resorted to desperate remedies, often with 
success. He took a tumor from the neck of a Mrs. Abernathy, when his brother and 
other learned and experienced physicians and surgeons declared she would die under the 
operation. She consented to the operation and afterward lived many years. Dr. Bonner 
returned to Lincoln County and continued the practice of medicine for thirty years. He 
married Lucy Rosseau Robertson on the 4th of July, 1827. He always seemed indifferent 
to notoriety, and operated more than twenty times for lithotomy and never lost a case. 
He collected over $100,000 from his practice and never sued for a medical bill. In con- 
nection with his practice he engaged in farming, and at the commencement of the late war 
he owned 8,000 acres of land and three or four hundred slaves. He was a man of wonder- 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 879 

ful energy and great physical and mental power. So strong, active and energetic was he 
for fifty years of his life, and so prosperous, that he never fully realized that any except 
those who were sick needed help. The result of the war and freedom to his slaves did not em- 
bitter him, but he constituted himself a guardian for every negro that lived with him. He 
died at Fayette September 20, 1879, at the age of eighty years, eleven months and thirteen 
days. He was a Democrat in politics, and never too tired to gain a vote for his candidate 
if he could, but in the sick room he eschewed politics and religion. 

W. C. BRIGHT, M. D., is a sou of John M. Bright, who was born in Fayetteville, 
Tenn., January 20, 1817. His father, James Bright, was a Virginian and an early pioneer 
of Tennessee. John M. was educated in Fayetteville and Hillsboro, N. C. In 1839 he 
graduated from the Nashville University. The subject of his graduating theme, "On the 
Classics," was a scholarly effort. He began studying law, and in 1841 graduated from the 
Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky., with credit to himself and honor to the 
institution, delivering the valedictory address. He has since practiced in Fayetteville. 
In November, 1841, he wedded Judith C. Clark, daughter of Gov. Clark, of Kentucky. 
She died in 1855, and two years later he wedded Zerilda B. Buckuer. Mr. Bright has al- 
ways been a Democrat, and in 1844 stumped the State for Polk in his race for the Presi- 
denc3". In 1847-48 he was a member of the State Legislature, and served on many im- 
portant committees. In 1848, he made a canvass for Cass and Butler, and a leading jour- 
nal wrote that it "would be hard to exaggerate the power aTid brilliancy of his speeches." 
The following are some of his speeches that have been published: "The Obligations of the 
American Youth," a speech against Know-nothingism, "Charity," "Life, Character and 
Public Services of the Hon. Felix Grundy," "Law, Lawyers, and Law-schools." During 
the late war he was inspector-general of Tennessee, with the rank of brigadier-general. 
In 1870 he was nominated and elected to the Forty-second Congress. Mr. Bright is very 
public spirited, and has done all in his power to further the interests of his State and 
county. His sou, W. C. Bright, was born in Fayetteville in 1844, and was educated in 
Fayetteville and at Richland Academy, in Marshall County. His school-days were sud- 
denly stopped by the breaking out of the war. May 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 
Eighth Tennessee Regiment, and took an active part in the battles of Perry ville, Murfrees- 
boro. Peach Tree Creek, Chickamauga, and Decatur. At the last-named battle he was 
wounded iu the left leg, which unfitted him for duty for about fifteen months. After his 
return home in 1865, he began the teacher's profession, but in the fall of the same year 
began studying medicine under Dr. Kennedy. From 1866 to 1868, he attended the medi- 
cal department of the University of Nashville, and delivered the valedictory address iu 
1868. He immediately began practicing in his birthplace, where he has since resided 
with the exception of five years spent in Edgefield and Nashville. February 4, 1871, he 
wedded Annie Bramlett, daughter of Judge L. M. Bramlett. Mrs. Bright was born in 
1849 in Giles County, Tenn. They have three children: Bramlett, Mary, and Judith. Dr. 
Bright is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Lincoln County, and has a large 
and paying practice. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

ANDREW J. CARLOSS is a son of Archelaus and Ruth (Pride) Carloss, is one of 
their thirteen children, and was born in North Carolina in 1815. The father was bora 
in North Carolina in 1767, and was a son of Edward C. Carloss, who was born in Spaia 
and immigrated to America when a young man. Archelaus' parents died when he was 
small, and he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, and while serving his ap- 
prenticeship assisted in building the first State capitol of North Carolina. He and wife 
died in North Carolina in 1845 and 1826, respectively. Andrew J. received a practical ed- 
ucation, and at the age of nineteen came to Tennessee, where he has always made his 
home, with the exception of a short time spent in Alabama. July 30, 1839, he married 
Mary Ann Franklin, granddaughter of ex-Gov. Franklin, of North Carolina, wlio died at 
the age of fourteen years. Mr. Carloss owns 3,800 acres of land, and is a man of undoubt- 
ed integrity. He has been a life-long Democrat. His wife was born in Alabama in Aug- 



880 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX, 

ust, 1821. Her parents, James and Frances Franklin, were born in North Carolina and 
Tennessee in 1794 and 1797, respectively. 

HON. JO. G. CARRIGAN is an attorney at law, of Fayetteville, Tenn., and son of 
Hiram and Fannie (Randolph) Carrigan. The father came to the United States with his 
parents when a small lad, and lived, first in North Carolina, and then in Alabama, and 
finally, in 1854, came to Lincoln County, Tenn. He was a blacksmith by trade, but for 
the past ten years has lived retired from active business life. He and his wife became 
the parents of five children, four of whom are living: W. R. (who is a teacher and farmer), 
Susan (Mrs. G. W. Higgins), Josie (widow of A. W. Bonds), and Jo. G., our subject, who 
was born in Madison County, Ala., September 7, 1835, and received his education at New 
Hope Academy, Marshall Countj^ Tenn., and Sulphur Springs Institute, Lincoln County, 
Tenn. He worked at the blacksmith's trade about six years and then entered the teach- 
ers' profession and taught one year. In 1856 he purchased a few law books and began his 
legal studies, being obliged to struggle along as best he could without the aid or instruction 
of other lawyers. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, and the same year became editor 
and proprietor of the Messenger, at Lewisburg, but at the end of one year began the pub- 
lication of the Union, at Shelbyville, Tenn., which he continued until the breaking out of 
the war stopped further business. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company G. Eighth Regi- 
ment Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, and participated in the Cheat Moun- 
tain campaign (of which he has written a full account) and the battle of Perryville. . In 
January, 1863, he was transferred to the quartermaster's department, but in December of 
that year was discharged, owing to the failure of his eyesight. In August, 1865, he was 
elected to the State Senate, and served on several important committees. His .speeches 
on the elective franchise bill and the restoration of the people of Tennessee to the control 
of the State government attracted much attention. He moved to Fayetteville in 1867, 
where he enjoys the confidence of a large clientage and his brother attorneys. De- 
cember 22, 1858, he was married to Fannie Higgins, who was born in Lincoln County in 
1838 and has borne her husband two children: Emma (Mrs. A. M. McGlaughlin) and 
Beulah. Our subject is a fluent and ready speaker and an earnest advocate and safe 
counselor. He advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and is a member of the 
Christian Church. His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

JAMES H. CARY, farmer of the Twelfth District and a son of Robert and Sarah 
Blair) Gary, was born August 15, 1834, near his present residence. The father of our 
subject was born in Ireland in 1781, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a weaver 
by occupation in his youth, and in later years devoted his attention to the cultivation of 
the soil. In 1798 he left his native country and came to the United States, landing at 
Charleston in February. He located in Chester District, S. C, where he was living at 
the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1807. In 1816 he immigrated to Lincoln 
County, and the following year settled on the Fayetteville and Pulaski road, six miles 
from Fayetteville, where he remained until his death, in 1869. He was one of the early 
settlers of Lincoln County, and was an industrious, hard-working man. He was the father 
of four children : Margaret, born in 1817; Isabella, born in 1819 (wife of James I. Tate), 
John, born in 1821 (and died March 31, 1886, leaving a widow and five children, who now 
reside on the old homestead), and James H., our subject, who lives half a mile from the 
old home place with his sister Margaret, and both are single. They have been industrious, 
persevering and economical, and as a result own 473 acres of excellent land, and have a 
good home. Mr. Gary is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Lewis Cass 
in 1848. Margaret is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and has been for the 
past thirty-six years. In 1862 James enlisted in Company I, Starne's battalion, Forrest's 
command. He fought in the battle of Spring Hill, and at the end of five months returned 
home. 

M. H. CAUGHRAN is a Tennesseean, born in Lincoln County in May, 1829. He is 
one of nine children, and the son of William and Elizabeth (Wiley) Caughran. The 
father was of Irish descent, born in South Carolina in 1786, and came to Tennessee in 1828. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 881 

He was a farmer, {ind died on the 14th of March, 1840. The mother was also born in 
South Carolina, in 1787, and died August 30, 1870. Our subject was educated in the com- 
mon schools, and resided with his parents until twenty-two years of age. March 33, 1852, 
he was married to Julia, daughter of S. S. and PoU}^ (Gibson) Buchanan. Mrs. Caughran 
was born in Lincoln County March 23, 1831. After his marriage Mr. Caughran looked 
after the interest of Mr. Buchanan's farm for ten years, and then purchased 100 acres of 
land near Petersburg, where he resided one year. He then sold this farm, and in 1865 
purchased 185 acres of land near Fayetteville, where he resided ten years. He then pur- 
chased his present farm of 115 acres, and by his good business qualifications has accu- 
mulated quite an amount of property. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. In the late war he served in Company B, Twenty-eighth 
Tennessee Infantry for three months, then Gen. Bragg appointed him special messenger, 
taking care of Governmental supplies and distributing goods for the army. He remained 
in this capacity until nearly the close of the war. 

H. T. CHILDS, farmer of the Eleventh District, was born in Lincoln County, of the 
same district, July 18, 1841, and was one of four children born to Thomas and Sally (Wil- 
kins) Childs. The father was born in North Carolina March 9, 1796, and came to Lincoln 
Coufity, this State, with his people, in 1818. He bought 200 acres of land in the Eleventh 
District, and yet more in other parts of Lincoln County. He died August 17, 1873. Our 
subject's mother was born in the Eleventh District in 1808, and departed this life October 
19, 1883. Our subject was reared in the country, and received his education at the Sul- 
phur Spring Institute. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company D, First Tennessee 
Infantry. He took an active part in the battles of Seven Pines, Cedar Run and Manassas, 
and was severely wounded in the last named battle. At the end of six months he was 
sufliciently recovered to return to active service again. In the battle of Chancellorsville 
he was again wounded, and did not return to duty for a year. He then joined Forrest's 
command, cavalry, and took part in numerous cavalry skirmishes. In 1868 he wedded 
Sally C, daughter of Allen and Martha Taylor, and a native of Lincoln County, born 
September 19, 1845. This union resulted in the birth of five children, four of whom are 
living: M. O., Mollie L., Annie N. and Thomas A. Mr. Childs owns 200 acres of valuable 
land, all well improved, and located near Fayetteville. In 1873 he was elected magistrate 
of his district, and this position he now holds. He is a strong advocate of good public 
schools, and a man who is scrupulously honest in all his dealings. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

DR8. R. E. & W. W. CHRISTIAN, physicians and surgeons of Fayetteville, Tenn., are 
the sons of Dr. D. W. and Americus (Faulkner) Christian. The father was of Scotch- 
Irish descent, and was born in Kno.x County. Tenn., in 1817. At the age of eighteen he 
began studying medicine under Dr. Cooper, and later graduated from the Louisville (Ky.) 
Medical College. He practiced in Kentucky and Texas, and during the late war resided 
in Louisville. In 1878 he established a drug store in Fayetteville, but died March 9, 1880, 
after living a useful and well-spent life. He was a true Christian, and left behind him an 
untarnished name. He was married May 16, 1844. His wife was born in Christian 
County, Ky., and since the death of her husband has resided with her two sons in Fa- 
yetteville. She is the second cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Of her seven children five 
are living: R. E., Lillic M. (widow of Dr. B. C. Newman), Hattie Lee (Mrs. E. D. Stock- 
ing), Fannie Ella and W. W. R. E. Christian is a druggist, physician and surgeon of 
Fayetteville. He was born in Christian County, Ky., in 1846, and was educated in the 
common schools and at Louisville, Ky. In April, 1883, he entered upon his chosen pro- 
fession, and in 1886 graduated from the medical department of the Vanderbilt University. 
December 20, 1883, he married Josephine Carneal, born in 1859, daughter of Walker Car- 
neal. W. W. Christian was born in Lexington, Tex., in 1857. He attended school in 
Trenton, Paducah and Louisville, Ky., and Fayetteville, Tenn. In August, 1880, he pur- 
chased some medical books and began the study of medicine on his own lesponsibility. 
Two years later he entered Vanderbilt University, graduating as a physician and surgeon 



y 



882 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

in Febriiaiy, 1883. After his father's death he and his brother, R. E., took control of the 
drug store which belonged to their father, but in July, 1884, the building caught fire and 
was consumed. They soon re-established, and keep a fine stock of drugs. These enter- 
prising young men are building up a fine practice, and will rank among the leading phy- 
sicians and surgeons of Tennessee. W. W. belongs to the K. & L. of H., and both 
brothers are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

MRS. HARRIET CLARK was born in Washington County, Va., December, 1802. 
Her father, Zachariah Shugart, was born in Penu.sylvania, and died in Virginia. The 
mother's maiden name was Elizabeth OffuU; she was born in Montgomery County, Md., 
and died in 1819. In 1824 Harriet Shugart married William Clark, who was also a Vir- 
ginian, born in 1792 and died in June, 1871. Of the six children born to them, four are 
living: Elizabeth B. (Mrs. William L. Thomas), James (deceased), William B., Rebecca 
M. (Mrs. Joseph Roe), Isabella J. (deceased) and C. S., a married son, with whom Mrs. 
Clark now lives on the old home-place. He is the youngest son, and has always looked 
after the interests of the farm. In 1872 he married Susan, daughter of Fenlie and Martha 
Smith. His wife was born in Lincoln County, in 1846, and she and her husband have 
three children: Martha, Willie and Lizzie. Our subject is said to be the oldest person re- 
siding in the district, but is yet quite hale and active. She belongs to the Presbyterian 
Church, and is a very estimable old lady. 

HON. JOHN CLARK, farmer, was one of ten children born to James and Nancy 
Clark. The father was of Scotch origin, and a native of Blount County, E. Tenn. He 
was a farmer by occupation and lived to be over seventy-one years of age. The mother 
was born in the same county as her husband, and died at the age of fortj^ five. Our sub- 
ject was also born in Blount County August 2, 1815, and got his education in the country 
schools. In 1838 he married Matilda Thompson, a native of Tennessee, born January, 
1818. By this union he became the father of these children: James H., B. A., Nancy A., 
Martha J., J. P., Roena, Edward G., Will and Theodore. In 1859 Mrs. Clark died, and 
in the same year our subject married her sister, Priscilla Thompson. To the last union 
wereborn seven children: Margaret, Robert, Richard, Mollie, Charlie, Lina and Gertrude. 
In 1803 Mr. Clark was elected to represent two counties in the State Legislature, and in 
1870, shortly after coming to Lincoln County, he was elected magistrate, and re-elected in 
1874, but resigned before the term expired to accept the position of deputy' sheriff . Mr. 
Clark owns 225 acres of desirable land, mostly well improved with good houses and out 
buildings. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

W. B. CLARK, son of William and Harriet (Shugart) Clark, was born in Lincoln 
County, Tenn., in February, 1832. He received his education in the countrj^ schools, and, 
remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. Febuary 22, 1872, he 
wedded Laura J. Mountcastle, a native of Mississippi, born in the year 1845, and to this 
union were born two children: William M. and Harriet E. Mr. Clark had 135 acres, 
which were given to him bj^ his father, and upon this he located after marriage. In 1874 
he sold out and went to Colorado, where he remained over five years, in that time, ac- 
(luiring a homestead of 160 acres, besides purchasing the same nimiber of acres. In 1880 
he disposed of his property, returned to his birthplace, where he purchased 162 acres in 
the Twelfth District, and is at the present residing there. During the war he enlisted in 
the Confederate service, in Company G, First Regiment Tennessee Infantry, under Col. 
Turney; was in several skirmishes; but at the end of eighteen months was discharged on 
acco\xnt of ill health, Mr. Clark is an enterprising, industrious farmei', and bears the rep- 
utation of being an honest man and a good citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, and he 
and Mrs. Clark are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Clark's 
father was a Virginian, born in Washington County in 1792, and was an enterprising 
farmer, and, in connection with this occupation, worked at the blacksmith trade. About 1834 
he came to Lincoln County, Tenn., and located in the Ninth District where he bought prop- 
erty and lived until his career ended in 1869. He was a .soldier in the war of 1812, and for his 
services his widow draws a pension of $96 per year. He was twice married, his first wife 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 883 

being Barbara Tolbert. The mother of our subject was also born in Washington County, 
Va. She is still living, and since the death of her husband has made her home with her 
son, C. S. Clark. 

LEWIS AND DR. J. C. COATS were born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1830 and 1853, 
respectively, sons of Thomas and Sarah Coates. The father was born in North Carolina 
about 1802, and came to Tennessee with his widowed mother when a boy. He was a 
farmer, and died November 2, 1874. The mother was born in South Carolina about the 
same time as her husband. Her death occurred June 9, 1870. Lewis Coats was married 
in 1851 to Mary Smith, who was born in Giles County, in 1830. Four children were born 
to them: J. C, Drucilla A. (Mrs. J. S. Parker), Mary L. (Mrs. J. P. Bruce), and Orlena 
T. Mr. Coats at one time owned 500 acres of land, but gave to his children until he now 
owns 260 acres. He was married when about twenty-one years of age, and as a Demo- 
crat cast his first presidential vote for Pierce. • Dr. J. C. Coats was educated in the schools 
near his home, and when about twenty years of age entered the office of Dr. H. M. 
Beaty, in Blanche, and began the study of medicine, continuing two years. He then en- 
tered Washington University, at Baltimore, Md., and afterward took a course at Vander- 
bilt University, from which he graduated in 1878. He^has since practiced in Blanche, and 
has treated all the diseases peculiar to that locality with commendable success. In 1880 
he began keeping a general merchandise store, and has succeeded well from a financial 
stand-point. November 15, 1879, he wedded Alice E. Byers, born in 1862. They have 
three children: Mabel, Louis M. and an infant. The Doctor is a Democrat, and he and 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

PtEV. A. B. COLEMAN, citizen of Lincoln County, and a native of the Keystone 
State, was born in November, 1830, in Indiana County. He is a son of James and Marj^ 
(Campbell) Coleman, both natives of Pennsylvania, and both of Scotch-Irish extraction. 
The father was born in Indiana County about 1795, and followed the occupation of farmer. 
He died in 1857. The mother was born in 1801, in Westmoreland County, and after the 
death of her husband, lived with her children. She died in 1884, in her eighty-second 
year. She was the mother of nine children five of whom are now living: John, Mary 
Jane (wife of Alexander Lyons), Margaret, Thomas W., and our subject, who remained 
with his parents till he was thirty years of age. His academic education was received at 
Elder's Ridge Academy, Pennsylvania, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, 
and at the age of eighteen he entered the teacher's profession, which occupation he con- 
tinued for upward of ten years, but not without interruption, however, as he attended 
school some of the time. In 1857 he entered the Westminister College, Wilmington, 
Del., and commenced the study of the ministry proper. He graduated in June, 1859, and 
in 1861 he was licensed to preach. The following year he was ordained as minister, 
and sent to Minnesota to do missionary work, where he remained five years engaged in 
his religious duties. In 1867 he was sent South to organize and lay a foundation for their 
church work. He came to Lincoln County, Tenn., where he has since remained engaged 
in the good work. The same year of his arrival he dedicated the first United Presby- 
terian Church in the State of Tennessee^ January 31, 1868, he married Hannah B. Tay- 
lor, a native of Lincoln County, born in 1840, and the daughter of Henry and Catherine 
M. Taylor. As a citizen Mr. Coleman is highly respected and bears the reputatiqn of be- 
ing a man of high character and one who leads a conscientious, straight-forward course 
through life, During the war he affiliated with the Union cause and was a strong sup- 
porter of the same. Mr. Coleman had the misfortune to lose his wife December 10, 1883. 

WILLIAM COPELAND, distiller, and farmer of the Third District, and a native of 
Lincoln County, was born in 1829, and is one of ten children born to the union of John 
and Sarah (Massej') Copeland. The father was born in South Carolina in 1793, and was 
of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a minister of the P. B. Church; was also a soldier in the 
war of 1812, and was married in the same year. The latter part of his life was spent in 
farming in connection with his ministerial duties in Moore County, where he had a farm 
of 250 acres. He died in the year 1865. The mother was born in South Carolina in 1789, 



884 BIOGEAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

and died in 1857. Our subject received a good education, and when about seventeen began 
teaching, and taught several terms. At the age of twenty he took a trip to Arkansas, but 
returned home at the end of twelve months, and was elected constable. In 1852 he 
entered the mercantile establishment at Marble Hill in Franklin County, and clerked there 
for three years. November, 1854, he married Mary Ann George, and by this union became 
the father of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Jefferson M., William C, MoUie 
H. (wife of John M. Franklin), Thomas N., Emily E. (wife of H. Snow), George M., Rob- 
ert L. and Ida May. In 1857 Mr. Copeland sold his property, and entered the mercantile 
business at Smithland, where he remained three years. He then sold out and bought a 
farm of 300 acres, in the Fourth District, and for two years was revenue tax collector of 
Lincoln County. In 1867 he engaged in the distillery business, and. this he still contin- 
ues. In 1881 he purchased a distillery at Flintville, since which time he has been engaged 
in the business at that place. His machinery has a capacity of over three barrels per day. 
In 1885 he moved his family to the farm where they now reside. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Copeland is a member of the 
Baptist Church . 

JUDGE H. C. COWAN, farmer, was born in Franklin County, Tenn., November 
15, 1809, son of Capt. James B. Cowan, who was of Irish descent, born in 1777, in Mary- 
land. In 1797 he married Nancy Williams, who was born in Virginia in 1782. Their 
family consisted of six children. They came to Tennessee in 1806, locating in Franklin 
County, and there the father died in 1831. He was a captain in the war of 1812, and 
while living in East Tennessee two of his sisters were killed, while making maple sugar, 
by a band of Indians who came upon them suddenly. Retribution soon overtook them how- 
ever, for a company of men was raised and seventeen Indians sent to the " happy hunting 
grounds" by the outraged settlers. The mother of our subject died in 1818. H. C. 
Cowan clerked for about five years in several places, and taught his first school in 1826, 
then went to Jackson County, Ala., and taught two short sessions. He then sold goods 
one year in Sparta, White Co., Tenu., when owing to some little disagreement he returnee^ 
home and taught two five months' sessions, when he received apologies from his former 
employers and returned to them and sold goods a little over a year. He was then called 
home by the death of his father, and farmed and taught school, and in January, 1839, he 
became a resident of Lincoln County, and taught about fifteen sessions of school in and 
around Fayetteville, and in 1841 purchased 156 acres of laud, where he settled and has 
since resided. At different times he has purchased 137, 45 and 75 acres. Two of his 
sons live on the latter farms. Mr. Cowan served as magistrate for forty-four years, and 
for fifteen years acted as chairman and one of the quorum of the county court, thus il- 
lustrating the respect in which he was held by the people. In 1869 he was elected judge 
of the county court, for eight years, but only served three years, owing to ill health. 
December 22, 1842, he married Agnes B. McDaniel, wa o was born March 29, 1814, and 
six children blessed their union, of which three are dead. Those living are, Andrew J., 
William Thomas and Louisa E. Judge Cowan bsgan life poor in purse, but now owns 
413 acres of fine land. He has a remarkably retentive memory, and is a man, who, by 
his exemplary life, commands the respect and esteem of all. He is a Democrat and a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His wife died November 24, 1881, and 
since that time his daughter has been his housekeeper. 

W. S. CURTIS, a farmer, and a native of Madison County, Ala., was born November 
14, 1823, son of Johnson D. and Isabella Curtis, natives of Georgia and North Carolina, 
respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1826. The mother was 
of Irish descent and died in 1824. Our subject was reared by his aunt, Mrs. McMurray, 
and received his education in the Giles County schools. In 1844 he married Margaret 
Bussell, a daughter of Robert and Nancy Bussell. Mrs. Curtis was born in 1822, and died 
August 19, 1858. By this union our subject became the father of five children: Robert J., 
a farmer of Giles County; T. D., a resident of Pulaski; W. A., a farmer of Giles County; 
James M., now in Lawrence County, Mo., and J. D., of Lincoln County, Tenn. After 



LINCOLN COUNTY, 885 

marriage, Mr. Curtis bought 150 acres of land in Giles County, where he located and re- 
mained six years. He then disposed of that property and bought 324 acres in the Six- 
teenth District of Lincoln County, where he is now living. He now owns 300 acres of 
very desirable land. October 23, 1859, he married A. Oliver, a native of Lincoln County, 
born January 13, 1834, and a daughter of E. P. and Sarah Oliver. This marriage of our sub- 
ject resulted in the birth of eight children: Julia, wife of W. T. Woodward; C. L., E. S., 
C. M., F. J., A. L., J. H. and Alexander. Mr. Curtis has always been a hard working, in- 
dustrious man, and has been quite successful in business, and has given his children the ad- 
vantage of acquiring a good English education. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his 
first presidential vote for Taylor. He and wife are members of the New School Presby- 
terian Church. 

JOHN M. DICKEY, farmer, was born in Franklin County in 1840, and received his 
education at New Market, Ala. When hostilities broke out between the North and South 
he enlisted in Company A, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, 
and was in the principal battles of the war. He was captured and taken to Rock Island, 
111., where he was held till May 6, 1865, President Lincoln signing the petition for his re- 
lease the day he was assassinated. Mr. Dickey then returned home and engaged in black- 
smithing. November 18, 1861, he wedded Louisa McGehee, and became the father of five 
children: William M., Julia M., Lucy V., Edward W. and Fannie L. In 1870 Mr. Dickey 
purchased 300 acres of land, on which he is now residing. May 7, 1876, Mrs. Dickey died, 
and June 18, 1878, Mr. Dickey married Mrs. Laura V. Kyle, daughter of J. J. and Eliza- 
beth Tucker, by whom he became the father of three children: Frederick C, John M. 
and Hughes D. In 1873 Mr. Dickey was elected magistrate to fill the unexpired term of 
Henderson Thompson, and has since filled the office in a satisfactory manner. He is a 
Democrat in politics and a Mason. Mrs. Dickey is among the most respected members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject's parents were Ephraim M. and 
Louisa (Rich) Dickey. The father was born in Franklin County, in 1812, and was of 
Irish lineage. His education was considerably above the average, notwithstanding his 
meager advantages, and he was a blacksmith by occupation. He died in 1859. The 
mother of our subject died May 4, 1873. 

HON. ISHAM P. DISMUKES (deceased), one of the leading members of the Fayette- 
ville bar, was born in Lincoln County, Teun., April 19, 1832, son of Marcus L. and Delia 
(Wadkins) Dismukes. He received a thorough literary education in the Fayetteville 
Academy, his preceptor being Prof. F. A. Dickinson. He began teaching school, and 
during his leisure moments was an earnest student of Blackstone. In 1855 he entered the 
law department of the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn., and graduated in 1856. 
He returned to Lincoln County, and formed a law partnership with Hon. Edmund Coop- 
er, of Shelbyville, and in 1860 Hon. J. G. Woods entered as partner, and after a short 
time Mr. Cooper withdrew, and W. B. Martin took his place. In 1861 Mr. Dismukes en- 
listed in Freeman's battery, and fought at Parker's Cross Roads, Chickamauga and Knox- 
ville. He served until the close of the war, and was a brave and gallant soldier. Decem- 
ber 17, 1867, he married Jennie Fulton, daughter of Hon. James and Mary (Morgan) Ful- 
ton. Mr. Dismukes' career from the very first was brilliant and successful. He was an 
able and wise counselor, and was unsurpassed in readiness of speech and brilliancy of 
thought. He had a large and paying clientage at the time of his death. He died of con- 
sumption, September 14, 1875, after living a life of great usefulness, and it may justly be 
said of him that his character was beyond reproach, and that he was an honorable and 
noble gentleman. He was candid in speech, honest in his motives, sincere in his mani- 
festations of friendship, and incapable of a mean action. At his death the members of 
the Lincoln County bar passed a series of resolutions on his life and character. An elo- 
quent tribute to his memory was delivered by his first law partner, Hon. Edmund Cooper. 
Since his death his widow has resided in Fayetteville, where she has a beautiful home. 

ROBERT S. & DAVID G. DOUTHAT, boot and shoe manufacturers, of Fayette- 
ville, Tenn., are the sons of John H. and Margaret (Burke) Douthat. The father is of 



886 BIOGKAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Scotch-Irish origin, and was born in 1816, in Fincastle, Va., and when a youth began ^ 
learning the blacksmith's trade, which he mastered, and at which he worked for over 
fifteen years. He then began manufacturing wagons and plows, but for the past twenty- 
five years lias been engaged in manufacturing boots and shoes. The mother is of Ger- 
man descent, and was born in Virginia in 1818. Eleven children blessed their union, ten 
of whom are living. Robert was born in 1844, and at the age of nine years began learn- 
ing the shoe-maker's trade. In 1867 he left the paternal roof, and came to Faj^etteville, 
where he continued working at his trade. October 27, 1867, he wedded Mary Ann Nob- 
lett, who was born in Tennessee, in 1844. In 1872 Robert and his brother, William B., 
established a boot and shoe shop in Fayetteville, continuing until 1884, when David G. 
was taken into partnership. In 1873 William was elected postmaster of the city, and his 
brothers, Robert and David, became sole proprietors. They are good workmen, and have 
been fairly successful in their business. They are stanch Republicans in politics, Robert 
casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant and David for R. B. Hayes. David was 
born in Virginia, in 1853, and, like his brother, learned the shoe-maker's trade, and left 
home when quite young, coming to Fayetteville. In August, 1875, he married Susan D. 
Bell, daughter of James H. Bell. Mrs. Douthat was born in 1855, and has borne four 
children: Robert H., John F., Margaret and David G. 

CAPT. WILLIAM B. DOUTHAT, postmaster of Fayetteville, and a native of Chris- 
tiansburg, Montgomery Co., Va., was born March 1, 1840, son of John H. and Margaret 
(Burke) Douthat. He received his education in Snowville, Pulaski Co., Va., and at 
the age of twelve was bound out for seven years to T. S. Bullard, of Snowville, to serve 
an apprenticeship at the shoe-maker's trade. He worked four years, abandoned his mas- 
ter, and commenced in life on his own responsibility. He went to Salem and worked 
for his brother, James H., ten months, after which he returned to his former home and 
set up a shop. During the late Rebellion he was a firm supporter of the Union. In 
1863 he was about to be drawn into the Confederate side, when he, with upward of fifty 
others, started to join the Union forces, walking to Somerset, Ky., a distance of 150 
miles, where they took the train for Nashville. He enlisted in Company C, Twelfth 
Tennessee Cavalry, U. S. A., and took an active part in the battles of Trune, Clifton, Lynch- 
burg, Pulaski, Tenn., Florence, Sulphur Trestle and Richland Creek Bridge, Ala. In the 
action at Pulaski he was wounded twice, being shot in the right arm and hip. He was 
taken to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained two mouths. December, 1864, he re- 
joined his regiment and remained until October 7, 1865, when he was mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kas., and discharged at Nashville. He was appointed second lieuten- 
ant of Company A, Twelfth Regiment Cavalry, Tennessee Volunteers, United States 
Army. May 11, 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant of the same company and regi- 
ment. April 16, 1865, he was assigned assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Brig.- 
Gen. G. Spaulding. He was assigned to duty as regimental commissary in June, 1865, 
and served until mustered out of service. He received a complimentary commission as 
captain October 20, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service. In 1866 Mr. Douthat went 
to Denver, Col., and remained there three years. In the spring of 1870 he came to Fay- 
etteville, and the following year he and his brother, Robert S., formed a partnership in 
the manufacture of boots and shoes. In 1873 he accepted the position of postmaster at 
Fayetteville, and in 1885 disposed of his interest in the shoe shop, since which time he 
has given his attention to the office. In 1875 he married Emma Burgess, a native of 
Lebanon, Tenn., born July 7, 1848. and the daughter of Charles T. and Mary E. Burgess. 
This union resulted in the birth of one child— Carl B. Mr. Douthat has proved to be a 
most worthy and efficient postmaster. He has given universal satisfaction, and not one 
word of complaint has been offered for his removal under the new administration. He is 
a Republican in politics, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. 

J. H. C. DUFF was born in Lincoln County January 26, 1838, and remained with his 
parents until he reached his majority. He received a fair education in the common 
schools and afterward attended some time at Union Academy, Lincoln County, where he 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 887 

took a thorough course in surveying. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Eighth Tennessee Mulberry Riflemen, under Capt. Williaru L. Moore, but was 
afterward transferred to Carne's Batteiy. He was in the battles of Perry ville, Ky., and 
Chickamauga, and was captured at the latter place and sent to Camp Morton, Ind., 
where, February, 1864, he scaled the prison walls, under the cover of darkness, and with- 
out being seen, succeeded in making his escape. He was afterward captured again in 
Giles County, and made his escape once more. In 1866 he went to Bethel, Lincoln County, 
and married Jane C. Craig, but immediately returned to his father's, where he remained 
six years. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, eight of whom are living: 
Bessie C, Margaret E., Myrtle, Ruby, Henry N., Alfred F., Thomas D. and James B. F. 
In 1876 he was elected surveyor of Lincoln County for a term of two years. In 1885 he 
moved to the farm where he now resides. He in Independent in politics, is a Mason and 
an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
His father, H. C. Duff, was born in South Carolina, August 28, 1808, and in 1845 immi- 
grated to Lincoln County, where he purchased seventy-six acres in the Fifth District, and 
where he located and still resides. He has since increased his estate to 590 acres, but has 
given his son 200 acres. In 1837 he married Eliza D. Brown, who became the mother of 
our subject. 

R. M. DUNLAP is a Tennesseean, born April 23, 1837. James E. Dunlap, his father, 
was of English-Irish origin, born in South Carolina, and came to Tennessee when a young 
man and married our subject's mother, Sarah E. James E. was a farmer by occupation, 
and died in 1859. The mother died in 1842. Our subject is one of their eight children. 
His education was obtained in the district schools and his boyhood days were spent on a 
farm. In 1859 he wedded Sarah E. Cole, who was born in Lincoln County in 1840, and 
departed this life in 1861. Two children were born to them: Sarah (Mrs. James Rhodes) 
and R. J., both living in Texas. In March, 1861, Mr. Dunlap enlisted in Company D, 
Forty-first Tennessee Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Port Hudson, 
and numerous others. He was taken with the small-pox, and returned home in February, 
1863. He has since been engaged in farming, and owns 280 acres of valuable land. In 
December, 1863, he married Sarah E., daughter of J. H. and Sarah Midley, of Fulton, 
Miss., born in 1885. They have nine children: Mary E. (deceased). Nancy E., James M., 
P. M., J. M., Patrick M., D. C, Shelton and Emma. Mr. Dunlap is quite skillful at 
almost any kind of work, and does his own blacksmithing and wagon work, and has been 
fairly successful in his agricultural pursuits. He is a Democrat. 

JAMES M. DYER'S birth occurred in Lincoln County, Tenn., February 2, 1818, His 
early education was limited, but he has done much to eradicate this evil by reading, and 
is well posted on all the topics of the day. In 1834 he married Martha Newton, who was 
born in Shelbyville in 1813, and departed this life in 1874. Of their nine children three 
are living: Joseph H., Cauthes V. and M. F. Our subject resided with his mother until 
about twenty years of age, and then sold dry goods throughout the western and middle 
portion of Tennessee for about three years. In 1849 he purchased 182 acres of land, and 
is now the owner of 282 acres of valuable land. *In 1875 Mr. Dyer married Tennessee 
Larue. She was born in Marshall County in 1834. Notwithstanding many diificulties 
Mr. Dyer has encountered through life, he has now a good home and a comfortable com- 
petency. He is a Republican and was strongly opposed to secession. He held the posi- 
tion of magistrate twelve years, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church. He is a distant relative of the late Thomas A. Hendricks. His parents 
were James and Martha (Garland, cousin of Attorney-Gen. Garland) Dyer, born in Ten- 
nessee in 1779 and 1781, and died in 1817 and 1854 respectively. They were married in 
1799. The father was a farmer, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Both our subject's 
grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 

J. S. EDMISTON was born in Washington County, Va., in 1815, and was one of a 
large family of children of G. W. C. and Elizabeth (Steward) Edmiston, natives of Vir- 
ginia, born in 1785 and 1791, and died in 1847 and 1839, respectively. They were marri(Kl 



BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

in the "Old Dominion," and immigrated to Tennessee in 1817, where they led the lives of 
farmers. J. S. Edmiston was educated in the schools near his home, and when about 
twenty-three years old purchased 140 acres of land near Swan Creek, where he remained 
four years, and then disposed of his property and bought out the heirs to the oki home 
place, where he located and has since resided. He owns 450 acres of good land, well im- 
proved. He is a Democrat, and during the late war was strenuously opposed to secession. 
Previous to that conflict he was a Whig. He is also a Mason. His grandfather, William 
Edmiston, was a Virginian, and was a captain in the Revolutionary war. Two of his 
brothers were killed at the battle of King's Mountain. December 13, 1852, our subject mar- 
ried Margaret E., daughter of Russell T. and Eliza (Forsythe) Harreld, of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Edmiston was born January 16, 1833, and has borne seven children: William C, John H., 
Clara, Mary E., Catherine T., Robert R. and Thomas S. Our subject and wife are mem- 
bers of the Old Presbyterian Church, of Petersburg, Tenn. 

JAMES P. EDWARDS, farmer of the Fifth District, and a son of James A. and Susan 
(Goodwin) Edwards, was born in Rutherford County August 4, 1839. The father was born 
in Rutherford County December 1, 1801, and is of Dutch-Welsh descent. He had the advan- 
tages of a district school education, and possessing an intellect above the average mind 
received an education accordingly. He is of noted ancestry, his great-grandfather once 
being Duke of Wales, and his mother a near relative of the elder Adams, also closely con- 
nected with the Buchanans, the early settlers of Nashville. He was married in 1825, and 
became the father of six children, four of whom are" living. The mother of our subject 
was born in 1805 and died in 1867. The father died about 1875. Our subject received his 
education in the common schools, and later spent several years in' the school at TuUa- 
homa. During the war he enlisted under Capt. Meade, in Alabama, but did not enter the 
service on account of sickness. He was confined at home for several months, and upon 
his recovery entered the army as an enrolling oiBcer, and continued in that capacity till 
the army retreated from Tennessee. He then went back with Gen. Forrest to take care 
of a sick brother, with whom he remained until his death near the close of the war. He 
was captured at Tullahoma and charged with bushwhacking, but acquitted himself nobly, 
and was released at the end eleven days. He then returned to Lincoln County, and com- 
menced farming in cotton. December 1, 1870, he wedded Bettie Warren, and by this union 
became the father of ten children, nine of whom are living: Emma, Henry W., James A. 
and William Owen (twins), Edgar A., Bessie Polk, George W., Sue May and Anna Lynne. 
In 1882 Mr. Edwards purchased 60 acres, where he now resides. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and wife are members of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Edwards is a graduate of the Mary Sharp College at 
Winchester, Tenn. 

HON. W. W. ERWIN, farmer, and a native of Tennessee, was born April 26, 1846. 
His parents, Robert and Jane E. (Woods) Erwin, were natives of Tennessee. The father 
was born in 1810, and the mother about the same year. She died September, 1885. The 
father is still living and is a saddler by trade. Our subject received his education at 
Moorsville Academy. December 23, 1869, he married Addie, daughter of Dr. John and 
Josephine Wood, and a native of Lincoln County, born March 30, 1853. By this unton 
they became the parents of five children: Robert, Willie B., Edwin S., Ross and Leroy W. 
Mr. Erwin remained with his parents for some time, and received a good education in the 
schools of the county. He then engaged in teaching, and has followed this occupation 
for ten years. He has taught in Marshall, Giles and Lincoln Counties, and was principal 
of the Boonshill Academy for some time. In 1871 he moved on his present farm which 
consists of 150 acres of productive land. In 1884 he was elected to represent the people 
of Lincoln and Moore Counties in the Legislature of the State. Mr. Erwin is a Democrat, 
and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbj^terian Church. 

JOSEPH FARRAR, an old and influential resident of Lincoln County, Tenn., was 
born in North Carolina, June 11, 1811, and was the son of John W., and Elizabeth (Will- 
iams) Farrar. The father of our subject was born in Virginia in 1750, and moved to North 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 889 

Carolina, and remained there until 1810. He was captain of a company in the Eevolution- 
ary war, under Gen. Greene, and served through its entire time. He was a cabinet-maker 
by occupation, and was with Daniel Boooe,the first settler of Kentucky. He died in 1830. 
The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina, and died in Lincoln County, Tenn. 
Our subject received his education in the common schools, and December 22, 1831, he 
wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Polly Abernathy. Mrs. Farrar was born in 
Lincoln County, in ISl-i, and by this marriage became the mother of twelve children, four 
of whom are living: Nancy A. (wife of William West), James T., Pinkney E. and Miles 
J. After marriage our subject purchased one-half of the homestead, where he located 
and remained until 1853. In 1855 he bought 115 acres of land in the Thirteenth District, 
where he has since lived. He has since bought more land, and at one time owned 800 acres, 
but has divided it among his sons, reserving for himself about forty acres. Mr. Farrar is 
well known and highly esteemed far and near. He is an excellent citizen and a kind and 
obliging neighbor. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He 
and wife are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

P. E. FARRAR, farmer, is a son of Joseph aod Elizabeth Farrar. The father was 
born in one of the Carolinas in 1811, and came to Lincoln Couniy with his parents when 
but a lad. After marriage he located in the Thirteenth District, where he still lives, and 
is a farmer by occupation. The mother of our subject was born in Lincoln County in 
1814, and was married about 1831. She and her husband have been living together longer 
than any other couple in the district. Our subject was born in Lincoln County in October, 
1850, and is one of twelve children born to his parents. He received his education in the 
district schools, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age. In 
1875 he married N. J. Dickey, a native of Lincoln County, born in 1855, and the daughter 
of Alfred and Eliza Dickey. The fruits of this union were an interesting family of five 
children: Lizzie, Myrtle, Nannie L., Annie B. and Edna. After marriage our subject 
bought a farm in the Twelfth District, but remained there only three years, when he dis- 
posed of that place and bought, 200 acres in the Thirteenth District, where he now resides. 
Mr. Farrar had two brothers who served in the late unpleasantness between the North 
and South. One brother, John, was killed after a service of about four years. Mr. Far- 
rar and wife are members of the church and are among the county's best citizens. 

WILLIAM B. FAULKNER, one of the principal citizens of the Twenty -fifth District, 
and a son of William and Ellen (Bolton) Faulkner, was born in Lincoln County in 1834, 
and is one of a family of seven children, four of whom are living. The father was born 
in Ireland in 1797, the grandfather in England and the grandmother in Scotland. The 
father of our subject received a fair education in the common schools, and was married 
twice, his first wife being Miss Patterson, by whom he had two children, one of whom 
died during the voyage to America. His wife died shortly after his arrival in this coun- 
try, and in 1882 he wedded the mother of our subject. He was a farmer, a ditcher and 
blaster by occupation. His death occurred in 1870. The mother of our subject was also 
born in Ireland, in 1798, and died in 1843. Our subject received a fair education, and as 
his parents were poor he was compelled to work for a livelihood. He was employed for 
several years in a factory and afterward was engaged in trading and teaming in some of 
the Southern cities. During the war he enlisted in Company H, First Tennessee Regi- 
ment, and soon entered the Army of the Potomac, where he was quite a favorite of Stone- 
wall Jackson's. At the end of a year he was discharged on account of ill health, but soon 
returned and engaged in some of the principal battles of the war. He was captured and 
held a prisoner until 1865. In January, 1866 he wedded Mrs. Charlotte Taylor, daughter 
of J. and M. Simmons. To Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner were born five children: Amanda E.. 
Nancy J., Eliza B., Ellen F. and William A. Our subject located on ninety-four acres of 
land in the Twenty-fifth District, where he remained three years. He then purchased the 
same amount of acres in the same district, on which he located and still resides. Mrs. 
Faulkner died November 24, 1877, and in January, 1879, he married Mrs. Harriet A. Smith, 
daughter of David and Martha Sisk, by whoni he had three children, two of whom are 



890 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

living: Mattie B. and Mary Pearl. Mr. Faulkner is a Democrat, a Mason and an Odd 
Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

JOSEPH M. GREER is a son of Joseph and Mary (Harmon) Greer, and is one of 
eleven children and of Irish descent. The father was born in the "Kej'stone State " in 
1754, and was an early pioneer of Tennessee, comin'g in 1790 and entering about 10,000 
acres of land. They suffered all the hardships incident to pioneer life, but, unlike many 
of the early settlers, had the good will of the Indians. Mr. Greer was a farmer and mer- 
chant at Knoxville, Tenn., and was clerk of the first chancery court after the organization 
of the county. He died in 1835. Our subject was reared in Tennessee when there was no 
schools, consequently his education was acquired at home mainly through his own exer- 
tions. In 1847 he married Mary Edmiston, who departed this life September 19, 1858. 
They had one son — Joseph M. — who resides on the old home-place and looks after his 
father's farm. He was born September 13, 1858, and was educated at Petersburg and 
Fayetteville, and is now the owner of 535 acres of fine land, and is noted for his generos- 
ity and honesty. He votes with the Democratic party, and belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 

PLEASANT HALBERT'S birth occurred in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1811. 
His parents, James and Elizabeth (Smith) Halbert, were born in Nt)rth and South Caro- 
lina in 1771 and 1788, and died in 1833 and 1813, respectively. The father was a farmer, 
and in 1795 immigrated to Tennessee, but remained only four years, when he returned to 
his native State. September 9, 1801, he returned to Tennessee. He was married in 1810, 
and in 1813 came to Lincoln County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was 
father of two children, only one now living—Pleasant Halbert — who made his home with 
his father as long as he lived. He was educated in the district schools, and October 8, 
1833, married Nancy Crawford, who was born in 1810, and a daughter of John Crawford, 
who was an early pioneer of Lincoln County. Oui' subject and his wife became the par- 
ents of eight children, seven of whom are living: Martha (wife of Dr. J. E. Youell), Mar- 
garet E. (Mrs. Lemuel D. Sugg), James C, Mary J. (Mrs. Capt. J. H. George), Pleasant 
W. (a physician and surgeon), Naomi E. (Mrs. S. M. Clayton) and AVilliam H. (a physician 
and surgeon of Lebanon). Mrs. Halbert died August 5, 1850, and April 8, 1852, he wedded 
Emily Buchanan, who was born July 23, 1814, and a daughter of John Buchanan. Of 
their three children two are living: Laura G. (Mrs. Pleasant Hobbs) and Isaac B. This 
wife died February 9, 1868, and July 1 of the same year Mr. Halbert married Martha V. 
Smith, daughter of David Smith. She was born in Alabama in 1826. Mr. Halbert owns 
600 acres of land in the Eighth District, and is one of the old and highly respected citizens 
of the county. He has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as magistrate six years. 
He and Mrs. Halbert are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN HAMILTON, a native of Moore County, was born April 19, 1825, and is a son 
of William and Rachel Hamilton, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and East Ten- 
nessee. The father, when a young man, went to Tennessee, where he was married, and 
soon came to this part of the State. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned about 
300 acres in what is now Moore County. He died in 1873. The subject of this sketch 
was reared on the farm, and secured a fair education in the district schools near Lynch- 
burg. In 1847 he married Ann, daughter of Preston and Nellie Midkiff. Mrs. Hamilton 
was born in Moore County, in June, 1826, and by her marriage became the mother of 
four children: John, Nancy, James and Susan. Mr. Hamilton, after moving around for 
some time, bought 100 acres of land, where he located, and where he has since resided. 
He now owns 738 acres of valuable land. He has always been a hard-working, indus- 
trious man, and has been quite successful in his occupation. In 1857 he bought a mill, 
and has done considerable business, both in grinding grain and sawing lumber. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

WILLIAM HAMILTON, farmer, was born near his present residence in 1836, and is 
the son of David M. and Elizabeth (Morton) Hamilton. The father was a native of South 
Carolina, born in 1809, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. He came to Tennessee in 1811 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 891 

with his father, John Hamilton, who settled in the Twelfth District, bought propert)', 
and remained until his career ended, about 1813. While chopping a tree it suddenly- 
split and flew back, striking Mr. Hamilton and killing him instantly. His wife returned 
to South Carolina in a short time to look after his unsettled business, going and returning 
on horseback through unbroken forests, bivouacking out of nights along the route. David 
M. , our subject's father, lived in Lincoln County at the time of his marriage, which oc- 
curred in 1831. He lived in different parts of Lincoln County, but the last five years of 
his life were passed in the Fourteenth District. He owned 160 acres of land, and may 
properly be classed as one of the early settlers. He died in 1845, in the prime of life. 
The mother of our subject was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1813, and was of Irish 
extraction. Her father, Alexander Morton, was a native of Ireland. He came to Lin- 
coln County at a very early date, and was one of the first white men in the county. Since 
the death of her husband Mrs. Hamilton has lived with her children, and for the past 
eighteen years has lived with her son William. There were five children, four of whom 
are living. William was reared at home, and received a practical education in the pub- 
lic schools. October 22, 18.57, he married Elizabeth E. Wyatt, daughter of Thomas 
Wyatt. Mrs. Hamilton was born in Lincoln County in 1835, and the result of her mar- 
riage was the birth of two children: David Knox and MoUie (wife of John Montgomery). 
After marriage Mr. Hamilton resided on the old home-place until 1868. In 1870 he had 
the misfortune to lose his wife, and January 8, 1878, he wedded Mrs. Anna (Telford) Mas- 
sey, daughter of William Telford. The second Mrs. Hamilton was born in 1857, in Marion 
County, 111., and this marriage resulted in the birth of one child, Cora Agnes. In 1872 
Mr. Hamilton purchased 100 acres of land in the Twelfth District, where he has since re- 
sided. He is one of the farmers of Lincoln County who is possessed with modern 
ideas of cultivating the soil. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are mem- 
bers of the United Presbyterian Church. 

THOMAS HAMPTON is one of a large family of children born to the marriage of 
Preston and Sarah Hampton, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee in 1777 and 
1788, and died in 1859 and 1830, respectively. They were farmers. Thomas was born in 
Lincoln Countj', October 29, 1815. He resided at home until twenty-six years of age. and 
three years later was united in marriage to Martha J. Smith, who was born in 1820 and 
died in July, 1883. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are living: Will- 
iam, E. T., Mary A. (Mrs. W. F. Hamilton), and Sarah (Mrs. Robert Cleghorn). Mr. 
Hampton traveled in the West two years before his marriage and for two years after 
his marriage, farmed his father-in-law's farm, then purchased 175 acres which he after- 
ward increased very much, but gave to his children until he now owns 121 acres. In 1885 
Mr. Hampton married his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Yant) Pampen. She was born 
in Lineoln County, September 25, 1835. Our subject suffered heavy losses by the late 
war, but in the main has been more than ordinarily successful. He and wife belong ta 
the Baptist Church. 

DAVID L. HARRIS, son of John and Susan (Lee) Harris, was born in Lincoln Coun- 
ty, Tenn., in 1830, and is one of two children, our subject only living. The father was 
Scotch-Irish by birth, born in Virginia about 1804. He came to Tennessee at an early day, 
where he married and afterward resided a few years, but ended his days in Kentucky, in 
1843. He was twice married, his second wife being Jane Abernathy, by whom he had 
three children. After his parents' death our subject resided with his uncle, Joel M. Harris, 
with whom he remained until twenty-one years old. He learned the tanner's trade of his 
uncle, and afterward became one of the firm and remained such until the business was 
abandoned about 1879. He owns a farm of 800 acres, upon which he located in 1860. In 
1857 he married Julia Conaway, by whom he had seven children: William N., Alice B., 
Sarah L., Joel L., John M., David D., and Samuel S. Mrs. Harris died March 24, 1870, 
and the August following Mr. Harris married Sarah Bray, and Thomas, Susan T., Fannie, 
Maud and Ira are the children born to this union. Iron and coal have recently been dis- 
covered in almost inexhaustible quantities on Mr. Harris' farm, and when developed may 



892 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

prove of great value to the county. Our subject is a wealthy land owner, and was form- 
erly a Whig, but since the war has affiliated with the Republican party. He belongs to 
the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. 

O. R. HATCHER, M. D.. was born on the 30th of August, 1846, one of five children 
of Octavus and Caledonia (Pillow) Hatcher, who were born in Virginia and Tennessee, in 
1818 and 1826, respectively. The father was brought to Tennessee when about eight years 
of age, became a merchant, and died in 1856. Our subject, O. R., was educated at Col- 
lege Grove, under Profs. Wynn and Carey, and then entered the medical department of 
the Nashville University and attended six months, and then went to New York, to Belle- 
vue Medical College, where he graduated as an M. D. in 1873. In February, 1873 he and 
Mary Woodard were married. She was born in 1849 and has borne three children: John 
U., Nellie I., and William L. Dr. Hatcher practiced medicine in Fayetteville about 
five months, and then moved to Hazelgreen, Ala., but two years later returned to Lin- 
coln County, where he has since resided and practiced his profession with much success. 
He and his brother, A. H., have a farm of 283 acres under the latter' s supervision. The 
Doctor is a Democrat and a Mason, and he and Mrs. Hatcher are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church South. 

SAMUEL HAYNIE, farmer, was born in Bedford County, in 1833, and remained at 
home until he was twenty-five years of age. He received a fair education in the neigh- 
boring schools, and December 20, 1856. led to the altar Anna Moore, a native of Lincoln 
County, Tenn., born June, 1833, and the daughter of Andrew and Rachel Moore. The 
union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of ten children, seven of whom are liv- 
ing: Samuel J., Robert H., Mary J., Hugh L., Thomas J. J., Anna L. and Emma L. Mr. 
Haynie resides on the old home-place, which now consists of 302 acres under a good state 
of cultivation. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, Eighth Tennessee, and took an active 
part in the battle of Murfreesboro. He was in the retreat toward the south, and soon 
after returned home and resumed farming. Mr. Haynie taught school several terms be- 
fore marriage and also several after marriage. He is a life-long Democrat in politics. Our 
subject's parents, James and Elizabeth (Bailey) Haynie, were married about 1830. The 
father was born May 18, 1810, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation, but, being a natural genius, could manufacture or repair nearly all kinds of ma- 
chinery. He died in 1878. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina and 
died in 1882. 

HENRY HENDERSON, trustee of Lincoln County, was born in the Twenty-first 
District of that county in 1825, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Lee) Henderson. 
The father was a Virginian and was of Scotch extraction. In 1806 he came to Lincoln 
County, and was among the pioneer settlers of the same. He was in the war of 1812, was 
wounded in the right arm, which rendered him a cripple for life. About 1814 he was 
married, and afterward located in the Twenty-first District, where he died in 1857. He 
was a tiller of the soil and at the time of his death owned upward of 1,100 acres of land. 
The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina in 1800 and died November, 1871. 
They had ten children, only four of whom are living: James, Sandy, Henry and Daniel 
W. Our subject was reared at home and received his education in the public schools. In 
1855 he was elected surveyor of Lincoln County, and served in that capacity until 1876, 
with the exception of a short interval during the Rebellion. In 1858 he married Mrs. 
Sarah (Blake) Crawford, daughter of William Crawford. Mrs. Henderson was born in 
Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1827, and by a previous marriage became the mother of four 
children: Delia F. (wife of Pleasant Snoddy), James E., W. B. and Annie (wife of G. D. 
Wicks). By her last union was born one child, Victoria May (wife of Thomas Phillips). 
In 1861 Mr. Henderson bought 285 acres in the Nineteenth District, where he has since 
resided. In 1876 he was elected county trustee, and at the expiration of his term was 
re-elected, and so has continued for five successive terras. He is a Democrat in politics 
and a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife is a member of the Cumberland 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 893 

Presbyterian Church. He was major of the Second Battalion, Seventy -second Regiment 
of the Fourth Division of Tennessee Militia for three or four years, being commissioned 
by the governor of Tennessee, and was first lieutenant of a company in said battalion for 
a number of years. 

AUSTIN HEWITT, of Boonshill, Tenn., was born in 1840 near Norwich, Conn., 
son of Elkanah and Lucy Hewitt, born in Virginia and Connecticut, respectively. The 
father was born in 1808, and was a brick-mason by trade. He was a resident of Connecti- 
cut many years, and there died. The mother's death occurred in 1849. Austin remained 
with his parents until about sixteen years of age, and then went to Macon, Ga., and was 
overseer of a brick manufactory. After a short residence in South Carolina he went to 
Arkansas and while there enlisted ia Company D, First Arkansas Infantry, and took an 
active part in the battles of Manasses, Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, 
Missionary Ridge and was with Thomas at the time of the surrender. He served three 
years and rendered his country valuable service. July 3, 1864, he married Martha 
E. Reed, born in Lincoln County in 1844, and began farming. In 1871 he purchased 172 
acres of land, which he has increased to 540 acres. He takes much interest in stock-rais. 
ing, and besides his home farm has valuable property in Pulaski, Giles County. He is 
conservative in politics and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden. Mr. Hewitt 
wishes to retire from active business life and to dispose of his farm, which is well adapted 
to grazing stock and raising all kinds of grain, 

H. C. HIGGINS is a son of Owen W. Higgins, who was of Scotch descent, born in 
Kentucky in 1802. He came to Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1806 with his father, and event- 
ually became the owner of 300 acres of land, about five miles from Fayetteville. He was 
married about 1824 to Fannie H. Stone, and by her was the father of eleven children, 
eight of whom are living: Nancy (widow of Daniel Tucker), Sallie (Mrs. Daniel B. ShuU), 
Mary (Mrs. Isaac Holman), George W., a lawyer in Fayetteville; Martha D. (Mrs. James 
Cato), Fannie E. (Mrs. J. E. Carrigan), Virginia (widow of Prof. Peter Hunbaugh) and 
our subject, H. C. Their father died in 1865, and their mother, who was born in 1806, in 
Virginia, died in 1871. The subject of our sketch was born near his present place of resi- 
dence in 1846, and was educated in the neighboring schools and at Fayetteville, and made 
his home with his mother as long as he remained unmarried. December 22, 1868, he 
wedded Fannie Stone, daughter of L. L. Stone. Mrs. Higgins was born in Lincoln Coun- 
ty, and has two children: Berry Owen and Julia. Mr. Higgins and wife own 488 acres of 
land, and have a beautiful and comfortable home. Mr. Higgins is a man of good business 
qualities, and in politics is very conservative, casting his first presidential vote for Sey- 
mour and Blair. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

J. B. HILL, jeweler of Fayetteville, Tenn., was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 
1832, son of Ebenezer and Mary T. (Bryan) Hill. The father was born in Mason, N. H., 
October 14, 1791, and died at the residence [of his son, in Manchester, May 16, 1875. At 
the age of fourteen he went to Amherst and worked in a printing office. He then went to 
Troy, N. Y., and while there enlisted in the war of 1812, and served until the close. He 
went to Huntsville, Ala., in 1819, and the following year came to Fayetteville, where he 
has continued to reside with the exception of two years. In March, 1823, he began the 
publication of a weekly paper called the Village Messenger, which he continued to issue 
until July 18, 1828. In 1825, with his brother J. B. Hill, he issued the first number of 
Hill's Almanac, which grew into popularity until 1862, when the war prevented its con- 
tinuance. It was considered an almost indispensable article in every household and office. 
In 1833 and 1834 he published the Independent Yeoman, a hebdomadal journal, edited by 
himself. He published several works, and established and conducted a circulating library. 
He possessed more than ordinary mental ability, and was a terse and fluent writer, and 
his editorials were noted for their shrewd common sense and logic. He was married in 
1824, and about four years previous to his own death his wife died. Our immediate sub- 
ject, J. B. Hill, was educated in the schools of Fayetteville. He began learning the jew- 



894 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

eler's trade at the age of twenty-two, and finally wedded Maggie Bearden, who has borne 
him five children: Charles B., Mary, Eben, Maggie B. and Emily H. Maggie is but six 
years of age, but is a fine performer on the violin, playing by ear almost any tune she 
ever heard with almost perfect time and expression. Mr. Hill served in the late war in 
Company C, Forty-first Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, and was afterward appointed 
quartermaster-sergeant. Mr. Hill and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and he is the leading jeweler of Fayetteville and a much respected citizen. 

DAVID F. HOBBS, a prominent citizen and farmer, is one of eleven children born to 
Nathaniel and Sarah Hobbs. The father was of English descent, and was born in North 
CaroHna in 1789. He was married in 1812, and came to Lincoln County in 1832, locating 
in the Sixteenth District. He was a cabinet-maker by occupation, and died in 1861. The 
mother of our subject was also of English origin, was born in the same State as her hus- 
band and about the same year. She died in 1875. Our subject was born in North Caro- 
lina July 25, 1820, and received his education in the schools near home. In 1841 he mar- 
ried Sarah Shipp, a native of Lincoln County, born 1823, and the daughter of Louis and 
Mary (Cole) Shipp. To our subject and wife was born one boy. Pleasant, now a mer- 
chant in the Thirteenth District. After marriage Mr. Hobbs engaged with Dr. Bonner, 
and remained with him nineteen years, overseeing and looking after the interest of the 
plantation. In 1865 he purchased 155 acres of land in the Thirteenth District, where he 
located, and has since remained. He has since bought more land, and now he and his 
son own about 800 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote 
for James K. Polk. Pleasant Hobbs, son of our subject, was born April 4, 1844, and re- 
ceived his education in Lincoln County. In 1870 he wedded Laura Halbert. a native of 
Lincoln County, born in 1854, and by this union became the father of five children : Tula H., 
Sarah E., David F., Jr., B. and B. M. Pleasant Hobbs, since he has grown to manhood, 
has been a partner with his father on the farm. December, 1880, he began the mercantile 
business in the Thirteenth District, where he still continues. September, 1885, J. D. Sugg 
entered into partnership with them, and the firm is now known as Hobbs & Sugg. They 
are doing a good business in the sale of dry goods and groceries, and carry about $4,000 
worth of stock. Pleasant is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic fratern- 
ity. He and wife are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

COL. J. H. HOLMAN attorney, at law at Fayetteville, Tenn., is a son of James W. 
Holman, who was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1812. He was a farmer and Primi- 
tive Baptist minister. In 1830 he married Jean Flack, who was born in Lincoln County 
in 1812, and in 1881 came to Fayetteville, and has since resided with his children. He 
owns 800 acres of laud, and has been a minister of the gospel since 1845. His father, Rev. 
Hardy Holman, was a Virginian, and moved to Kentucky previous to 1800. He was among 
the very early pioneers of Lincoln County, and surveyed the town plot of Fayetteville. 
Our subject is one of eight children, four now living; Dr. Thomas P., a resident of Lin- 
coln County; Sue M. (Mrs. Dr. W. A. Millhouse), Jennie P. (Mrs. John G. Tolley), and J. 
H., our subject, who was born in Lincoln County in 1836, and received an academic edu- 
cation in the schools of his county. In 1856 he entered Union University, at Murfrees- 
boro, but in the spring of 1857 was appointed lieutenant in the regular army by President 
Pierce, and held the position until the breaking out of the war between the North and the 
South, when he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment Tennessee Volun- 
teers. In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of colonel, which position he held until the 
close of the war. He was at Cumberland Gap, Perrj'ville, Lawrenceburg, and in many 
skirmishes, and .was wounded on tliree different occasions, but not seriously. He was 
paroled May 24, 1865, at Houston, Tex. He was taken prisoner at Winchester, Tenn., 
in 1863, and retained at Camp Chase, Ohio, and Johnson' s Island for thirteen months. 
After returning home he began the study of law, and in 1867 was admitted to the Lincoln 
County bar and began practicing with his brother, D. W. Holman. November 23, 1865, 
he and Lizzie C. Kimbrough were united in marriage. Mrs. Holman was b(n-u in 1840, 
and was a daughter of Rev. Bradley Kimbrough, a Baptist minister. In 1870 Mr. Holman 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 895 

I 
was elected attorney-general of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, holding the ofBce until 1877, 
and has since devoted Ins attention to his profession. In 1878 he was appointed commis- 
sioner to the Paris Exposition by Gov. Porter, and during his absence traveled iu various 
portions of Europe. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Union Chapter. 

THOMAS P. HOLMAN, M. D., an iutiuential farmer of Lincoln County, TcuiIl, is a 
sou of James W. and Jean (Flack) Holman, and was born March 3, 1834. At the age of 
sixteen he began teaching school, and followed that occupation at irregular intervals for 
upward of six sessions. He entered Union University, Murfrecsboro, Tenn., and gradu- 
ated at the age of twenty-four years. He tlien became a follower of iEsculapius, and 
continued his studies to the time of the late civil war. In 1863 he joined Company C, 
Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Murfrecsboro, Massy 
Creek, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Daltou, Resaca, and numerous other engagements of 
less note. He was captjured at Fayetteville in 1864, and taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, but 
was exchanged at the end of six weeks, and immediately rejoined his command. He re- 
turned home in 186.5 and taught school one session, and then kept a hotel in Shelbyville 
for about one year and a half. In 1867 he entered the medical department at Washington 
University at Baltimore, Md., and graduated as an M. D. in 1869. He was appointed 
resident physician of Bay View Asylum at Baltimore, but the following year returned to 
Tennessee and began his practice at Mulberry. January 5, 1875, he wedded Sileua Moore, 
daughter of Capt. Lewis Moore, who was killed at Jonesboro in 1864. Mrs. Holman was 
born in 1850, and has borne her husband the following children: Burke, Wayne, Leon, 
Fannie Lynue, Ross, and Moore. Dr. Holman owns 300 acres of land near Fayetteville, 
to which he gives the most of his time and attention. He met with good success in his 
practice, but owing to his enfeebled constitution was compelled to abandon it. In 
politics he is a Prohibitionist in principle and practice. He belongs to the Freemasons, 
and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. 

B. F. HOUSTON, oculist and aurist of Petersburg, was born in Marshall County, 
Tenn., September 11, 1853. B. F. Houston, father of our subject, was born in Tennessee 
iu 1807, and was a farmer by occupation. He died February 1. 1862. He was married to 
N. B. Usery, who was born in 1813 in Giles County, and died in November, 1878. Our 
subject was educated at the Mooreville Institute under Prof. Burney. September 11, 
1873, M. A. Elliott, who was born in Franklin County December 9, 1850, became his wife. 
They kept "a boarding house at Louisville two years, and then returned to the old home 
and he began taking charge of his mother's farm. In 1874 he began the study of med- 
icine, but on account of weak eyes was obliged to abandon the study for some time. In 
1879 he moved to Petersburg, and after a time went to Florence, Ala., and took special 
instruction on the eye and ear under the well known doctor, A. M. Parkhill, and now 
has an extensive practice in Lincoln, Marshall and the adjoining counties, also a number 
of counties in Alabama adjoining the State. He has acquired a reputation, especially 
in the treatment of the eye. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. 

. CAPT. WILLIAM W. JAMES, farmer of the Fifth District, was born in 1838. in Lin- 
coln County, Tenn., and was one of eleven children born to Thomas and Martha (Duke) 
James. The father was born in Norfolk, Va., in 1790, and was of English lineage. His 
education was fair, and when about twenty years of age, he, in company with an elder 
brother, immigrated to Lincoln Coujity, but soon went to Alabama, and engaged in the 
war of 1813, under Gen. Cotfee. They were in the battle of New Orleans, and at the close 
of the war immigrated to Lincoln County and located near Mulberry, where he purchased 
a farm. In 1835 he was married, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1866, he 
owned several good farms. The mother died about 1874. Our subject received his educa- 
tion in the neighboring schools, and the age of nineteen entered as clerk in a mercantile 
establishment at Fayetteville. In 1849, he, in company with about thirty-five others, start- 
ed to cross the plains for the Bl Dorado. He engaged in mining while there, and at the 
end of two years returned home and engaged iu the mercantile business at Mulberry 
Village, where he continued until 1861. In 1859 he wedded Susan V. Freeman, and to 



896 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

them were born eic^ht children, five of whom are living: Thomas D., Sarah A,, William 
W., Alice P., and John M. In 1861 Mr. James was made captain of Company A., Forty- 
first Tennessee Infantry, and was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson. He was exchanged at 
Vicksburg. and soon after was discharged on account of poor health. In 1869 he purchased 
300 acres of land at Mulberry, where he now resides. In politics he is a life-long Demo- 
crat, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and of the I. O. O. F., and he and Mrs. James are among the most substantial members of 
the Missionary Baptist Church. 

GEORGE A. JARVIS, postmaster and merchant, of Petersburg, Tenn., was born on 
the 13th of June, 1840, at Richmond, Va., son of Gus and Rebecca (Smith) Jarvis. He 
was educated and reared in his native town, and May 20, 1869, married Lula Green, who 
was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., August 12, 1847, and two children are the result of 
their union: George A. and Minnie E. In 1857 Mr. Jarvis became salesman for Joseph 
Akin, of Maury County, and remained with him until the breaking out of the war, after 
which he acted as traveling salesman for Louisville houses for seven years, and in 1872 
came to Petersburg. Since 1874 he has been in the mercantile business, and has also had 
the postoflBce at Petersburg. Mr. Jarvis is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and 
K. of H. fraternities. April 27, 1861, he entered the Confederate Army, serving in Com- 
pany B, Second Tennessee Infantry, commanded by William B. Bate, the present gov- 
ernor of Tennessee. He served as lieutenant. He afterward became a member of an- 
other company, and served in the quartermaster's department. He participated in many 
battles, and May 1, 1863, was captured and taken to Johnson's Island, where he remained 
a prisoner twenty-two months. He returned home in May, 1865. 

T. A. JEAN, farmer and mechanic, is a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., born in 
1836, and is one of eleven children of John and Ann (Shaw) Jean. The father was of 
Irish lineage, born in North Carolina in 1797, a merchant and farmer by occupation. He 
came to Tennessee in 1815, and two years later married. He died in 1883, at the advanced 
age of eighty-six years. He was twice married, his second wife being Patsey Taylor. 
The mother was born in 1801, in North Carolina, and died in 1845. At the age of ten 
years our subject became the architect of his own fortunes, and for about eight years was 
a farm laborer, and for his first year's labor received $3 per month for his services. Jan- 
uary 27, 1856, he married Martha E. Rutledge, who was born in 1829, in Lincoln County. 
The following are their children: William McHenry, John Alex, Elizabeth A., Thomas 
M., Mary C, Martha L. and George W. In 1882 Mr. Jean purchased 141 acres of land 
near Fayetteville, on which he located and has since resided. He is very skillful with the 
use of tools, and does his own blacksmithing and repairing in general. He is a Democrat 
in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for Breckinridge, in 1860. He served in 
the late war in Forrest's escort, and was in many severe skirmishes. His principal duty 
was scouting, and during his entire service he was neither wounded nor captured. He re- 
turned home in 1865, after an absence of three years. He and Mrs. Jean are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

DR. GEORGE W. JONES, physician and surgeon of Mulberry, and a son of C. G. 
and Nancy (Moore) Jones, was born in Maury County in 1835. The father was born 
near Lynchburg, Va., in 1803. and was of English lineage. At the age of twenty-six, he, 
in company with an elder brother, immigrated to Maury County, Tenn., making the en- 
tire journey on foot. In 1831 he was married and became the father of nine children, of 
whom our subject is one. He died January 2, 1874. The mother was born in North Car- 
olina in 1805, and is now living on the old farm in Maury County. Our subject remained 
at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and received his early education at Rock 
Springs. In 1865 he entered the medical department of the University of Nashville, 
where he graduated in 1858. He immediately located in Mulberry and began practicing 
his profession. In 1858 he wedded Lizzie Whitaker (daughter of Newton and Fannie 
Whitaker) and to this union were born eight children, five of whom are living: Charley 
N., Clarence G., Lelia W., George M. and Jennie M. In 1859 he removed to Mississippi, 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 897 

where he remained till 1861, after which he returned to Mulberry, and has since resided 
there. During the war he was elected sergeant of Company C, Fifth Kentucky, and was 
soon afterward made lieutenant of his regiment, bat was discharged after the battle of 
Murfreesboro, on account of disability. Since that time he has continued the practice of 
his profession, in which he has made a complete success. He is a member of the I. O. O. 
F., and K. of H. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

W. L. KILPATRIC, merchant of Fayetteville, and farmer, living two miles south of 
that village was born in south Alabama, October 20, 1857, son of I. T. and M. V. Kilpatric. 
The father was born in South Carolina in 1818, and was of Irish lineage. He moved to 
Georgia when a youth, and was married there, and moved to Alabama; thence to Lincoln 
County, Tenn., in 1883 where he located and now resides. The mother was born in Georgia 
in 1827 and died in January, 1884. Our subject received his education in the various 
schools of Alabama. In 1879 he married Mary Wilson, a native of Lincoln County, born 
Mayl, 1865, and the daughter of Matthew T. and Jane C. Wilson. By this union our subject 
became the father of one child — Alva W. After marriage our subject located on the farm, 
where they have since resided. He now owns over 500 acres of excellent land, well im- 
proved. In 1882 he and his brother,T. B., engaged in the mercantile business at Fayette- 
ville. In 1886 he purchased his brother's interest, and took another partner, T. I. Mc- 
Cowan, and now do business under the name of Kilpatric & Co. They have been very 
successful in the sale of dry goods, clothing, etc. Mr. Kilpatric is a Democrat in politics, 
and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. J. E. Kilpatric, brother of 
W. L., was in the late war, enlisting in 1864 when but seventeen years of age, and remain- 
ing until the surrender. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
WILLIAM J. LANDESS, farmer and tanner of the Sixth District, was born October 9, 
1852, in Lincoln County, Tenn. The father of our subject, John Landess, was born in 
Kentucky, November 11, 1799, and was of Dutch extraction. He acquired a good busi- 
ness education and was a tanner by occupation. He located in the Sixth District, where 
he soon established a lucrative business. April 5, 1831, he married Mary H. Stone, and 
became the father of eleven children, ten of whom are living, our subject being one of 
them. The father died September 11, 1876, and the mother is still living on the old home- 
place. Our subject received his education principally at the Oak Hill School, taking, 
quite a thorough course in the languages. November 28, 1878, he led to the altar May 
Boone, a native of Lincoln County, born Februar}^ 8, 1856, and the daughter of Capt. 
Nathan and Orpha Boone. This union resulted in the birth of tliree children, two of 
whom are living: John B. and Alberta K. Mr. Landess is now residing on the old home- 
place where he was born. He is the owner of 300 acres of good land, well cultivated, and 
succeeded his father in the tannery business, in which he has been quite successful. He 
is a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for S. J. Tilden. He and wife are members 
of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mrs. Landess was educated at the Female Institute at 
Winchester. 

R. W. LONG is a son of Joseph Long, who was born in North Carolma, and came 
to Tennessee and married Matilda Flack. The mother was born in 1804 and died in 1873. 
Our subject received a common school education, and after his marriage, in 1857, to Tabitha 
Bledsoe, he tilled the home farm for his mother, who was a widow. His wife was born 
near Petersburg, November 10, 1836, and seven children blessed her union with Mr. 
Long: Alva M. (Mrs. J. C. Moore), Nora I. (Mrs. C. A. Talley), Thomas A., Fannie E. 
(Mrs. O. B. Taylor), James B., Helen B. and Affa C. In 1872 our subject and family moved 
onto their present farm of 200 acres, comprising seven acres of all kinds of fruit trees. Mr. 
Long has given his children good educational advantages, and is conservative in politics, 
voting rather for the man than the party. He served in the late war in Company F., 
Forty-first Tenne,ssee Infantry, and took an active part in the battles of Fort Donelson, 
Franklin, Nashville and several minor engagements. He was captured at the fall of Fort 
Donelson, and imprisoned seven months at LaFayette and Indianapolis, In I. He was the 
wagonmaster in the quartermaster's department two years. He returned home in the 
fall of 1864. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 



§98 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

J. W. LLOYD, senior partner of the firm of Lloj^d & Blake, proprietors and publishers 
of the Fayetteville Express, was born Octobers, 1843, in Hiintsville, Ala., son of W. B. 
and Martha P. (Tatum) Lloyd, born in Virginia in 1818 and 1817, and died in 1873 and 
1851, respectively. They were married in 1838, and soon after moved to Huntsville, Ala. 
Our subject's mother died when he was quite young, and at the age of thirteen he became 
an apprentice at the printer's trade, working on the Huntsville Advocate four years. He 
then commenced life for himself as a journeyman, and the following thirteen years worked 
in most of the large cities in the South, assisting on the leading daily and weekly papers. In 
April, 1873, he came to Fayetteville and assisted in the establishing the Fayetteville Express, 
the proprietor and publisher being J. B. Smith. In 1876 Mr. Lloyd and F. O. McCord pur- 
chased the press, but in 1880 Mr. J. W. Goodwin purchased Mr. McCord's interest, and for 
two years the firm was known as Lloyd & Goodwin. From 1883 to August, 1883, the firm 
was Lloyd &Carrigan, and in January, 1884, Mr. Blake took a one-half interest. The Ex- 
press is a newsy paper and is devoted to the interests of the people. Mr. Lloyd has been in 
the new.spaper business nearly thirty j'ears and knows the needs and wishes of his patrons. 
He is a Democrat in his political views, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden 
in 1876. February 23, 1881, he married Kate Jones, daughter of Capt. Joel J. Jones, who 
was killed in the battle of Perryville, Ky. Mrs. Lloyd was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., 
in 1853, and has one son — Sumner. 

J. J. MADDOX, farmer of Lincoln County, is a son of John and Elizabeth Maddox, 
who were born in 1811 and 181-2, respectively. They came from the Carolinas, and w^ere 
among tiie early settlers of Tennessee, and were farmers. The father died in 1880 and 
the TTiother in 1872. Our subject received a liberal education, and December 18. 1873, led 
Martha A. Sherrell to the hymeneal altar. She was born in Lincoln County July 3, 1855, 
and is the mother of six children: R, S., J. S., B. M., A. A., M. S., and L. J. In May, 
1861, Mr. Maddox joined the company known as the " Caraargo Guards," and was in the 
battle of Murfreesboro and many minor engagements. He returned home in 1863, and 
three years later purchased the farm on which he now lives, consisting of 368 acres of 
land. Mr. Maddox is well respected by his fellow-man, and takes an active interest in all 
institutions which promote the advancement of the county. He is a Democrat acd Mason, 
and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

W. L. McCANN was born in Jackson, Ala., in 1827. His father was of Irish descent, 
born in the " Palmetto State" in 1800, and moved to near Alabama in 1825, and after a 
two years' residence came to Tennessee, where he died in 1867. The mother was born in 
South Carolina in 1804, and died in May, 1882. W. L. McCaun was educated in the Eight- 
eenth District of Lincoln County, and in 1851 married Miss M. J. Rawls, daughter of L. 
H. and Sarah Rawls. She was born in Lincoln County, Tenn.. November 3, 1832. Mr- 
McCann purchased his present farm in 1872, which consists of 386 acres of excellent farm- 
ing land, well improved with good buildings and a fine orchard. He has been very suc- 
cessful, as he began business for himself since the war with little or no means, and now 
owns an excellent tract of land. He is a Democrat, and during the late war was strongly 
opposed to the principles of secession. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 

COL. C. A. McDANIEL is a son of Fieldeu and Lucy (Barker) McDaniel, and was 
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1823. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in 
Virginia, in 1781, but a resident of North Carolina at the time of his marriage, which oc- 
curred about 1803. In 1808 he came to Middle Tennessee, and was a resident of Lincoln 
County, Tenn., after 1810 or 1811. He died in 1840, being one of the early residents and 
pioneers of the county and suffering many privations incident to pioneer life. The mother 
was born in North Carolina, in 1783. and died in 1839. Our subject is one of their nine 
children, and resided with his parents until their respective deaths, then he and his 
brother Charles bought the old homestead and began tilling the -soil. When the news 
came that gold had been discovered in California, he, with a number of friends, started for 
the "Golden Gate," going overland, the trip taking nine months. There he remained 
seven years engaged in mining. He returned home in November, 1856. and in December, 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 899 

1857, was married to Margaret Buchanan, daughter of Andrew Buchanan. Mrs. McDau- 
iel was born in Lincoln County in November, 183L They have four children: Mary Lou 
(Mrs. J. B. Whitaker), Andrew C, and Fielden and Felix (twins). In 1848 Mr. McDaniel 
had purchased 100 acres of land, on which he settled after marriage,'aud where he has 
since made his home. He now owns 374 acres of good and well improved land. In 1847, 
at the age of twenty-three, he was elected to the State Legislature, being the first native 
representative of Lincoln County. In 1854 he represented Calaveras County, Cal., in the 
State Legislature, and has been a life-long Democrat. -He served in the Mexican war and 
was slightly wounded at the battle of Monterey. He took an important part in the late 
war, and assisted in organizing the Fortj'-fourth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, and he was 
chosen colonel of the same. He was wounded in the right arm at Shiloh, but served until 
the close of the war with the exception of nine months. He returned home in May, 1865. 
He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

M. L. McDowell, miller of the village known as McDowell's Mill, Tenn., was born 
in Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 14, 1843, son of James and Harriet McDowell, born in 1818, 
in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. The father is a carpenter, and he and 
wife are yet living. His grandfather was born at Staten Island, N. Y., and he and his 
wife and family, with the exception of three sons, were murdered by the Indians. Our 
subject was educated in the Murfreesboro Academy, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company 

A, Second Tennessee Infantry, commanded by W. B. Bate, the present governor of Ten- 
nessee, and participated in the battles of Bull Run, Shiloh, Richmond, Chickamauga and 
Murfreesboro. He was wounded at Richmond, Ky., and was unfitted for further service, 
but remained with his company in preference to a ho.spital. He returned home in 1864, 
and in 1865 wedded Mary A. Cawthon, daughter of M. B. and and M. J. Cawthon, of Al- 
abama, and seven children were born to them: George L., E. R., H. E., M. L., S. J., M. 

B. and Myrtle L. Mr. McDowell farmed in Alabama a number of years, but met with re- 
verses, and moved to Tennessee and began working at the carpenter's trade at Lynch- 
burg, and erected very nearly all the fine houses in the place. While there he was mayor, 
magistrate and notary public. In 1880 he moved to Giles County, and was in the milling 
business two years in that county, then came to McDowell and erected his present mill. 
There was no village at the time of his location, but the place has now about 100 inhabi- 
tants, two dry goods and grocery stores, a postoflBce, blacksmiths and carpenters shops 
and nine dwelling houses, and a fine schoolhouse is in process of being erected; all of 
which has been brought about by the energy of Mr. McDowell. He belongs to the Ma- 
sonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and in politics is a Democrat. 

C. C. McKINNEY, attorney at law and magistrate of District No. 8 of Lincoln 
County, Tenn., was born where he now resides, in 1828. His father, Dr. Charles McKinney, 
was of Scotch -Irish extraction, and was born in Wayne County, Ky., in 1788, and edu- 
cated at Center College, Danville, Ky., where he also read medicine. He married Mary 
Russell in 1810, and came to Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1812, being one of the pioneer 
settlers and physicians of the county. His visits to the sick were made by following the 
old Indian trails and foot-paths, and he was known far and near as a man possessed of 
remarkable intelligence and honesty. He was surgeon in the war of 1812, and died in 
1864 full of years. The mother was of direct Scotch descent, born in 1790. She died in 
1863. They were the parents of fourteen children, only three of whom are now living. 
Our subject's paternal and maternal grandparents were born in Ireland and Scotland, 
respectively, and both were early emigrants to America. C. C. McKinney received an ac- 
ademical education, and in 1850 became a disciple of Blackstone, Hon. James Fulton 
being his preceptor. He was admitted to the bar in 1851, and has since practiced his pro- 
fession, and regarded as a successful, earnest advocate and safe counselor. He was in 
partnership in the practice of law two years with W. B. Martin, and thirteen years with 
F. P. Fulton. In August, 1885, Mr. McKinney was elected magistrate of his district, and 
yet holds that position. He has always resided in Fayetteville, and has displayed quali- 
ties of head and heart which have enabled him to surmount many difficulties. He is a 



900 • BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

Democrat, but previous to the war was a Whig. He is also a Mason. In June, 1856, he 
married Ellen Dennis, born in Alabama, in July, 1837. They have two children: James 
D., who is the pharmacist in W. A. Gill's drug store, in Fayetteville, and Charles F., who 
is salesman in the dry goods store of J. A. Lumpkin. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are mem- 
bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

R. D. McMILLEN is a son of Joseph McMillen, who was of Irish origin, born near 
Knoxville, Tenn., in 1784. He was a tailor by trade, and died in 1859. Our subject's 
mother was of Scotch descent, born in Kentucky in 1787 and died in 1863. Our subject 
was born in Fayetteville August 17, 1822, and, being the youngest of twelve children, was 
left to look after the old home place and care for his parents. He owns 267 acres of valu- 
able land near Petersburg, and has been a successful business man. In 1858 he married 
M. J. Millard, daughter of Willam and Mary Millard. She was born in Lincoln County 
in 1833, and died in 1878, having borne seven children, six of whom are living: Margaret 
F. (deceased), Effie (Mrs. C. Rosborough), William J., Sarah, Thomas, Minnie and 
Lucinda. They have received good educational advantages, and have made the most of 
their opportunities. Mr. McMillen is a conservatiye Democrat, but was formerly a sup- 
porter of the Whig party, and is a man well versed on all the questions of the day. He 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 

MRS. CHARLOTTE MERRELL, a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., born June 1, 
1813, is one of the two children born to James and Elizabeth (Daugherty) Grant. Our 
subject's father was born in Virginia, and, after living there some time, immigratecj to 
North Carolina. He was a farmer by occupation, came to Tennessee in 1812, and died in 
the Sixteenth District April 3, 1841. The mother of our subject was born in North Caro- 
lina about 1761, and departed this life January 26, 1836. Charlotte received her education 
in the schools near home, and October 14, 1838, she married William Merrell, a native of 
North Carolina, born January 26, 1815. By this union were born nine children, five of 
whom are living: Robert and Thomas are living in Lincoln County; Susan is the wife of 
William Soloman, and she with her husband and three children, Charley, Dewit T. and 
Dorinda are living with our subject on the old home place; Charley is living in Colorado, 
Texas. Mr. Merrell died October 31, 1880, and left a fine farm of 200 acres lying on the 
western portion of the Sixteenth District of Lincoln County and a portion in Giles County. 
J. S. MERRELL'S birth occurred in Giles County, Tenn., in March, 1839. His father 
was born in North Carolina, in 1798, and came to Tennessee when a lad, and afterward 
became a farmer. He died in December, 1866. His wife was born in Tennessee, and died 
in 1852. Our subject's early education and raising was like the average boy of his period. 
To his marriage with Josie Reed in December, 1860, were born the following family: 
Martha (deceased wife of A. J. Smith), Cynthia (Mrs. P. A. Hall), Susan, Cora G., Hugh 
F., Mollie B. and James E. Since 1866 Mr. Merrell has farmed in the Seventeenth Dis- 
trict of Lincoln County, where he owns 145 acres of fertile laud, well improved. In con- 
nection with overseeing his farm he carries on blacksmithing, and is a skillful wood-work- 
man. He takes much interest in educational affairs, and has given his children good edu- 
cations. He is a Democrat and a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Missionary 
Baptist Church. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, 
and was in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickaraauga, Siege of Knoxville, besides many 
smaller engagements. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and returned home in Decem- 
ber, 1863. 

JAMES A. D. MIDDLETON, lumberman and prominent citizen, and a son of 
Alexander D. and Jane Smith (Brodie) Middleton, was born July 24, 1842, in New York 
City. The father of our subject was born in Scotland about 1815, and was a descendant 
of Scotch ancestors. He was a marble-cutter by occupation, learning this trade in New 
York City. The mother of our subject was also born in New York City about 1817. Af- 
ter the death of the father, which occurred July 26, 1849, the family went to Virginia, and 
soon after to County, Mo., where they remained two years. They then re- 
moved to St. Louis in 1851, where they remained till after the death of the mother, which 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 901 

occurred in 1865. Our subject remained at home until nineteen years of age, and received 
his education principally in the free schools of St. Louis, Mo. On the 31st of July, 
1868, he wedded Mrs. Cordelia J. Hague, daughter of G. W. Alexander, of Lincoln Coun- 
ty. They have two interesting children: C. Jennie and Walter P. J. Previous to his 
marriage he went into the army with Lieut. -Col. Mortimer Okean as a hostler, and there 
he remained until 1865, when he landed at Tullahoma. After staying there two years he 
received an appointment in the internal revenue service, where he remained until April 30, 
1884, with the exception of about two years, 1868 and 1870, when he was postmaster at 
Mulberry. May 1, 1884, Mr. Middleton commenced his present occupation. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, and a Prohibitionist, aud cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He 
is an Odd Fellow, Knight of Honor, a Good Templar and a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, as are also the two children. Mrs, Middleton is a member of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

DR. W. L. MOORES, a physician of the Thirteenth District, was born in Lincoln 
County, Tenn., in 1843, and was one of two children born to William H. and Elizabeth 
(Sugg) Moores. The father was of Welsh origin and was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., 
about 1820. He was a tiller of the .soil, and died in 1845. The mother of our subject was 
of English origin, born in Robert.son Countj', Tenn. in 1801, and died in 1874. Our sub- 
ject received a good literary education in the counties of Lincoln and Giles. In 1862, he 
enlisted in Freeman's battery, aud took part in the battle of Parker's Cross-roads, and 
other minor engatremeuts. He was captured while sick at home, July, 1863, and taken to 
Camp Chase, where he remained seven months, after which he was conveyed to Fort Del- 
aware and remained there a year. In June, 1865. he began the study of medicine and at 
the end of a year and a half entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where 
it required three years to complete the course, but owing to his rapid progress was 
allowed by the faculty to take all his examinations at the end of the second year, and re- 
ceived his diploma in 1867. In the same year he married Sarah J., daughter of Mill aud 
Lucretia (Fox) McCollum, her mother being a cousin of Gen. B. F. Butler. Mrs. Moores 
was born in Giles County, July 5, 1844, and by her marriage became the mother of six 
children: Cyrus L., James A., Ira, Edna, Matt W., and William C. Dr. Moores has always 
been an active, energetic man, and has a large and increasing practice. He has met with 
Commendable success and is continuall}^ laboring for the good of the people. He is post- 
master at Cyruston, and this office has been in the hands of the family for fifty 5''ears. He 
is a Mason, a K. of H., and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is secretary 
of the same. Mrs. Moores is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Moores has a 
small farm where he resides, and has a fine young orchard. He is making a specialty of 
the study of horticulture, and he also has on his place a fish-pond and is a pi.sciculturist to 
some extent. 

J. K. MOORES, farmer, was born in the Thirteenth District, where he now resides, 
and is one of nine children born to his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Moores. The fatber 
was born in New Jersey in 1789, and came to Lincoln County with his parents when but 
nineteen years of age. He followed agricultural pursuits and was married in 1816. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1849. The mother of our subject was born 
in the southern part of Pennsylvania in 1796, and died in October, 1876. Our subject was 
reared at home, received his early education in the country schools and afterward com- 
pleted at Viny Grove Academy. In 1856 he wedded Louisa Smith, a native of Lincoln 
County, born in 1839, and a daughter of the well known Constant and Margaret Smith. 
By this union our subject became the father of four sons: John, now living in Obion 
County, Tenn.; Knox and Cyrus, in Texas; and Ross, who still remains with his father. 
Mr. Moores taught school for some time, and after marriage located on the old home- 
place, where he has since resided. In 1868 his wifedied.and in 1872 he wedded Mrs. D. J. 
Wilson, who was born in Lincoln County in 1837, and who is the daughter of Maj. and 
Elizabeth Ruth. The result of our subject's marriage was the birth of two children: 
Astor and Bessie. He is a Democrat in politics, a Mason, and he and wife are members of 



902 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

the Cumberland Presbj'terian Church. lu 18T0 he was elected to the office of magistrate, 
which position he held for six years in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Moores now owns 250 
acres of good land, all well cultivated and improved. 

WILLIAM T. MOYERS, carpenter, is a son of Samuel H. and Sarah (Phelps) Moyers- 
and was born in Fayetteville, Tenn., in September, 1837, and at the early age of twelve years 
left home and became the architect of his own fortune, working at the tinner's and copper- 
smith's trade for three years. At the age of sixteen he began working at the carpenter's 
trade, and has followed that calling through life. In October, 1853, he was united in mar- 
riage to Martha G. Rowe, who was born in Lincoln County in 1837, and daughter of Will- 
iam Rowe. Mr and Mrs. Moj'-ers became the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom 
are living: Edna (Mrs. Ephraim Pitts), Thomas, Robert, Hardy, Fannie, Nama. Curtis- 
•Jesse and Jacob. Mr. Moyer is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote 
for Lewis Ca-ss. He is the oldest native inhabitant of Fayetteville, and is a member of the 
F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fraternities. His father was of German descent, born 
in Virginia in 1791, a shoe-maker by trade. The grandfather, Peter Moyer, was a native 
German, and came to America previous to the Revolutionarj' war. and to Tennessee in 
The early part of the present century. He assisted in leveling the canebrakes where Fay- 
etteville now stands, and took up his abode in the village. He lived to be one hundred 
and one years of age, and was a man of powerful physique. When eighty-four years old 
he felled a large oak tree, and split 100 rails in order to reach home by 1 o'clock to see 
a game fight. He served through the entire Revolutionary war. Samuel Moyer was an 
1812 soldier, and was married about 1820. He kept a boot and shoe store in Fayetteville a 
number of years, and in 1843 moved to the countrj-, where he resided until his death, 
December 24, 1869. The mother was born in Tennessee in 1810, and died in October, 1871. 
Nine of their thirteen children are now living. 

HON. DAVID J. NOBLITT, physician and surgeon, and a son of Abraham and 
Sarah Ann (Razar) Noblitt, was born in Bedford County, March 16, 1836. He worked at 
home until he was eighteen years of age, paying $50 a year for the remainder of his 
time. He received his early education at the free schools, and when he first left home en- 
tered the Charity School, taking an English and Latin course there for two years. He 
taught two years, and in 1857 entered the medical department of the University of Nash- 
ville, where he graduated in 1860. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Ten- 
nessee, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the regiment, in which capacity he re- 
mained till after the battle of Murfreesboro, when his health failed, and he was com- 
pelled to resign his position. November 23, 1860, he wedded S3ivauia C. Boone, daughter 
of Samuel and Cynthia Boone, and this union resulted in the birth of two children: Leona 
N. and Boone E. In 1866 our subject purchased 190 acres of land at Booneville, where 
he located and still resides, and where he continues to practice his profession, and is now 
one of the leading physicians of this county. He owns 18.> acres of land under a good 
state of cultivation and good improvements. In 1873 he was elected to represent Lincoln 
and Giles Counties in the lower house of the State Legislature, and re-elected in 1874. He 
is a Democrat and a Magon. Mrs. Noblitt is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. 
Our subject's father was born in North Carolina July 4, 1818, and was of Anglo-Polish 
descent. He was of noted ancestry, his great-grandfather being connected with the En- 
glish Navy in the days of William Penu, and came with him to the new world to aid and 
assist him in his colonization. Abraham, our subject's father, was a farmer, and died in 
1845. The mother of our subject is still living, and is making her home with our subject. 
Her father was a cousin to Patrick Henry, of Revolutionary times. 

B. S. PAPLANUS, a merchant of Petersburg, Tenn., was born in Hungary, Europe, 
and being left an orphan at an early age, he resolved to make the New World his home, 
and accordingly came to the United States in 1871, landing in New York, but only re- 
sided in the metropolis a short time, when he went to Ohio, and peddled in that State 
about one year, and then came to Tennessee in June, 1872, where he pursued the same vo- 
cation until the fall of 1878. In September of the same year he began merchandising in 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 903 

Decatur, Ala., but remained in that place but a short time, when he returuecl to Tennes- 
see and located in Petersburg, where he engaged in business, He started with a small 
«tock and limited patronage, but has increased his business j-ear by year, and by fair deal- 
ing, industry and courtesy he has gained the esteem of the ])eople, and has built up a 
trade second to none in the county. He goes to headquarters to buy his goods, and is an 
■energetic business man and shrewd financier, and a valuable addition to the county. He 
:also deals in corn, w-heat and country produce, and in 1885 purchased more dried fruit than 
was ever purchased by any merchant in the county, shipping at one time six car-loads. 

JOEL PARKS was born near his present residence in 1837, son of William and Mary 
(Thurston) Parks. The father was born in North Carolina in 1786, and was a farmer by 
•occupation. He came to Lincoln County, Teun., when a young man and purchased 300 
acres of land near Fayetteville, where he resided until 1850, when he removed one-half mile 
northwest of Paj'ettville, where he resided until his death in 1863. He was a successful 
farmer owning over 600 acres of laud. The mother was born in North Carolina, and died 
in 1S40. Of their eleven children, four are living: Elizabeth (widow of Hugh Thomison), 
Martha (Mrs. John Roach), Catherine (widow of Joseph Cashion), and Joel, our subject, 
who was educated in the schools of his native county. He made his parents' house his 
home until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Regiment 
Tennessee Infantry, and fought at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Resaca, Marietta, Jones- 
boro. Franklin, Nashville, and other engagements of minor note. He was wounded at 
Murfreesboro by a shell, and was released from active duty about one month. He re- 
turned home in December, 1864, and lived on the old home-place with his sister, Mrs. Cash- 
ion until 1876, when the estate was settled. In October, 1878, Mary, daughter of Frank 
Renegar, "became his wife. She was born in Lincoln County in 1850, and has borne her 
husband one daughter— Sarah Elizabeth. In the spring of 1877, he erected a house on his 
l)ortiou of the old homestead, where he moved aud has since resided. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden, in 1876. He belongs to the 
Masonic fraternit3^ 

ELISHA T. PARKS, farmer, and a native of Lincoln County, was l)orn August 1, 
1839, .son of Benjamin T. Parks, a native of Lincoln County, born in 1815, and a farmer 
))y occupation. In 1838 he married Martha Thomison, and located where the village af 
Kelso now stands. After remaining here till 1850, he moved to what is now known as 
the Twenty-first District, aud remained there till 1856, when he purchased 520 acres in the 
Fifth District, where he located and remained till his death, which occurred in February, 
1857. The mother was born in Lincoln county, in 1816, and died in 1880. Our subject 
received his education in the school of the vicinity, and after the father's death, assisted his 
mother on the farm. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in what was first Company 
H. afterward Company K, Eighth Tennessee, of Mulberry Riflemen. He was wounded at 
the battle of Murfreesboro. and returned home in December, 1862, where he remained till 
July, 1863. He then joined the array in Georgia, and served through the Georgia campaign. 
He was captured at Petersburg, and taken to Nashville aud finally to Columbus, Ohio, where 
he was held for about five months. November, 1865, he married Mary Ann Alexander 
(daughter of Col. L. S. and Marj- Alexander), and this union resulted in the birth of four 
children: Benjamin N., S. O., Ernest and Cora A. Directly after marriage Mr. Parks 
located on the old home-place where he still coutiuues to reside. He has 100 acres of 
excellent land, all well cultivated, aLd is living in one of the oldest houses in the vicinity. It 
was built eighty years ago. In 1882 he was elected magistrate and filled the office to the 
entire satisfaction of the public. In politics he is a life-long Democrat, and he is also a 
Mason. Mrs. Parks is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. 

W. E. PATRICK, a worthy and well-to-do farmer of the 21st District, was born 
near his present residence in 1832, and was the eldest of six children of John and 
Mary Patrick, who were born in Lincoln County, where they always lived with the ex- 
ception of about uine y^ars spent in Alabama. Our subject attended the schools near his 
home and assisted his parents on the farm. In 1855, he was married to Margaret George, 



904 BIOGEAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

who was born in Lincoln County in 1832. Seven children were born to their union, 
named James B.. A. J., G. F., T. L., P. F., H. C. and Fannie B. In 1876 he purchased 
a farm of 160 acres of good and well cultivated land in the Twenty-First District, where 
he has since resided. He has been fairly successful in his business enterprises and give* 
his aid to ail worthy enterprises. Mr. Patrick is a Democrat in his political views, and 
he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

MRS. E. R. PATTERSON, is a daughter of James and Rebecca Cheatham, and is 
one of the two surviving members of their family of four children. She wa.'i born in 
Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1819, and her parents were born in Virginia, and came to Ten- 
nessee at a very early date. The subject of our sketch was reared at home, and in 1844 
was married to D. S. Patterson, who was born in Sumner County about 1821, and 
came to Lincoln County, when a boy. He owned about 800 acres of land at the lime 
of his death, which occurred April 4,1862. Their family consisted of eight children: 
Maria S. (Mrs. Dr. H. L. Patterson), James S. (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased). 
Dr. William A. (deceased), Davidson H., who conducts the home-place, Cor- 
nelia R. (Mrs. W. B.Stevenson), Belle V. (Mrs. W. S. Patterson), and Emma J. (Mrs. J. 
E. Reeves). They were all given good educations and two of them were graduates of 
colleges. Davidson H. and his brother are well-to-do in worldly goods. His early educa- 
tion was obtained in the common schools, which he completed at Bethanj' College. 

JAMES H. PATTERSON is one of eight children, and was born in Tennessee July 9, 
1832, son of William and Rachel (Cleudening) Patterson, and of Irish descent. William 
was born in North Carolina and came to Tennessee, where he married Miss Clendening, 
who was born in 1790 and died August 8, 1877. James H.'s early education was obtained 
in the schools near home and at Briar Patch Spring schools. He owns 485 acres of land 
near Blanche, and in 1880 sold 300 acres, j Besides this he owns 500 acres in different tracts. 
Mr. Patterson is a man noted for his ciiarity, and is esteemed and respected by all. Of 
his father's eight children only three are living: J. C, who is a farmer in Giles County;, 
and our subject and his sister Violet, who keeps house for him. November 7, 1861, he- 
enlisted in Capt. Rhodes' company — Company G, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry — and 
was made first lieutenant, and was promoted to the rank of captain. He was discharged 
in 1862, on account of ill health, and returned home. J. H. Patterson (deceased), an un- 
cle of our subject, will be remembered by many of the old residents of Sumner County, as 
he was widely known. Dr. John Patterson, his son, is one of the leading ph^'sicians of 
Murfreesboro. 

W. S. PATTERSON is a sou of L. M. and L. P. Patterson, who were born in 1834. 
The father served in the late war in Company G, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, as 
lieutenant, and was killed at the bloody battle of Shiloh. The mother is residing with her 
children. The rudiments of our subject's education was obtained in the common schools 
near his early home. He afterward completed his education at Blanche Academy, which 
was under the management of J. A. Holland. W. S. was born June 21. 1859, and in 1S81 
was united in marriage to Belle V., daughter of D. S. and E. R. Patterson. She was born 
in Lincoln County, in 1859, and has borne her husband two children: xVlma V. and L. E. 
Mr. Patterson has resided on the old home place since his marriage, and owns 305 acres of 
valuable land; he is an industrious farmer, and fully deserves his good fortune. He gives- 
his support to the Democratic party. 

LEWIS PEACH, marble and stone cutter, of Fayetteville, was born in 1836 in 
Davidson County, Tenn., and is the son of William and Susan Peach. The father 
was born in 1809 in Williamson County, Tenn., and was a marble-cutter by trade. His- 
father, Jonathan Peach, was a native of South Carolina, born in 1783. He was one of 
the pioneers of Williamson County, assisting in forming one of the first settlements^ 
William lived in his native county at the time of his marriage, and soon afterward moved 
to Davidson County. About 1842 he moved to Nashville, where he resided and worked at 
his trade. He a.ssisted in cutting the stone for the State capitol, and since the conflict has 
been living a retired life with his son Lewis. The mother was born in 1813 in Williamsork 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 905 

County, Tena., and died in 1865. They had nine children, five of whom are living. Our 
subject received his education in Nashville, and at the youthful age of thirteen began 
learning the marble andstone-cutters trade, under the direction of his father. This he has 
*ince continued with the exception of four years during the Rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Company C. Eighth Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, and took part in some of the 
principal battles. Owing to the weakness of his eyesight he was placed on detached duty. 
In December, 1864, he returned home and re-opened business at Petersburg, Tenn. In 
1873 he came to Fayetteville. where he has since resided. July, 1871, he wedded Susie J. 
Sheffield, a native of Bedford County, born in 1844, and the daughter of James W. Shef- 
field. Mr. Peach has devoted his entire time and attention to the marl)le and stone-cut- 
ting business, and has proved to be a skilled workman and artist. He turns out fine spec- 
imens of art, his work giving almost universal satisfaction. He has the only tombstone 
and marble business in Lincoln County. Mr. Peach is very conservative in politics, vot- 
ing for principles and not for party. He is a Mason, and his wife is a member of the 
Primitive Baptist Church. 

R. PETTEY, proprietor of the leading hotel in Fayetteville, was born January 8, 
1829, in north Alabama, son of Dr. John W. and Annie (Harris) Pettey. The father was 
a North Carolinian, born in Wilkes County, February 28, 1791, and a physician in his 
neighborhood of considerable note. He was also a farmer, and about 1825 he left North 
Carolina and immigrated to Madison Co., Ala., where he purchased 160 acres. Previous to 
his death, which occurred September 23, 1876, he was the possessor of 360 acres. The 
mother was born January 18. 1798, in North Carolina, and reared to maturity a family 
of thirteen children, seven of whom are now living. She died June 13, 1869. Our subject 
received a limited education in the country schools, and remained with his parents until 
he was about twenty-one years of age. In the fall of 1849 he left the parental roof and 
immigrated to Lincoln County, where he lived with his brother W. W. as a clerk. In 1855 
he came to Fayetteville, where he has since resided, and in 1858 he and his brother W. W. 
established a dry-goods store on their own responsibility, the firm being known as W. W. 
& R. Pettey. They continued in business until the civil war, when our subject enlisted in 
the Confederate service in Company G, First Tennessee Regiment, under Col. P. Turney. 
He was wounded at the battle of Seven Pines, the ball passing through his right lung and 
through the entire body. He did not recover sxifficiently to re-enter the field. In 1867 he 
resumed his clerkship, working in various kinds of merchandise establishments. October 
29. 1869, he wedded Margaret C. Norris, a native of Alabama, born November 26, 1841, 
and the daughter of Dr. George D. and Martha W. (Ragsdale) Norris. The result of our 
subject's marriage was the birth of four children: Gertrude, Annie C, Burton, and 
Mabel. In 1873 Mr. Pettey and his brother "W. W. established a book or stationery store, 
and in the following year W. W. became proprietor of a hotel. In 1876 our subject sold 
bis interest in the store and brought his brother's interest in the hotel, and from that time 
to the present has been engaged in that business. Mr. Pettey is a courteous and obliging 
gentleman, and is quite popular among the traveling public as a first-class hotel proprietor. 
Mrs. Pettey as a land lady is pleasant and entertaining. In politics Mr. Pettey is a 
stanch Democrat. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

SQUIRE PICKLE, of Lincoln County, Tenn., was born in Bedford County January 27, 
1815. His parents, Henry and Rachel (Nealy) Pickle, were born and married in North 
Carolina. They came to Bedford County, Tenn., soon after, and there spent the remainder 
of their lives. Our subject attended the neighboring schools during the fall and winter, 
and after attaining his majority became the architect of his own fortunes. After his mar- 
riage to Martha Harris, which occurred in 1840, he purchased 120 acres of land in Bed- 
ford County, but four years later disposed of this land and came to Lincoln County, 
where he now owns 188 acres of good land. Mrs. Pickle died in 1860, having borne one 
daughter, now deceased. In 1861 Mr. Pickle married Mrs. Harriet Scott. Our subject 
and his wife are well-to-do in worldly goods, as well as in the respect and esteem of their 
neighbors and friends. He is a Democrat, and is ever ready to support worthy enter- 



906 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

prises. On his farm is a well seventy feet deep, which was bored in 1883, the water hav- 
ing excellent mineral ingredients and possessing superior medicinal qualities. It wa* 
analyzed with the following results: Saline sulphur, chloride of sodium, sulphate of sodium, 
carbonate of sodium, chloride of magnesium, sulphate of magnesium, carbonate of mag- 
nesium, sulphate of calcium, carbonate of calcium, also traces of phosphates, iodine and 
bromine. 

JOHN PIGG is one of nine children and the son of Edmund and Rebecca Pigg, who 
were born in Virginia and North Carolina in 1804 and 1808, and died in 1884 and 1875, re- 
spectively. Our subject was born June 9, 1847, and spent his early days on his father's- 
farm. In 1876 he was married to Ida Dyer, who was ))orn in Lincoln County in 1857, and 
is a daughter of J. W. and Narcissa Dyer. Mr. and Mrs. Pigg have three children: James 
E., Rebecca and Ida M. Mr. Pigg resided with his parents until twenty-eight years of age, 
but after his twenty-first birthday began doing for himself. He was in partnership with 
his father and brother, Clayboue, in tbe farming interests eight years, and then worked 
on the home-farm four years longer. He now owns a farm of 450 acres, on which he 
resides, besides 30O acres in another tract; and, in connection with his brother, Joseph, 
owns 1,000 acres in Lawrence County. He is an energetic and honest business man and as 
such has the respect of all. He raises, buys and ships a large amount of stock, and in 
politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity- 

ISAAC S. PORTER, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Casey) Porter, was born in 
Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1817. He was reared principally by his mother, as his father 
died when he was about ten years of age. He attended the neighboring schools, and in 
1838 married Emeliue, daughter of George W. and Ann Dennis, by whom he had twelve 
children, ten of whom are living: George W. D., Benjamin F. P. (deceased), David S., 
Isaac H. M., Robert M., Lawrence L. T., Elizabeth C, Eliza C, Helen L., Jane F. and 
Jnlia F. Mr. Porter owns 23a acres of valuable and well improved land- His two sons 
George and Benjamin were in the late war and participated in many of its principal bat- 
tles, the latter being killed atResaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. Mrs. Porter was born in Ten- 
nessee in 1816, and her father and mother in North Carolina in 1791, and 1789. respectively. 
Mr. Porter was a Whig, but since the war has been a Democrat. His father was born in 
Boston, Mass., in 1763, and in 1804 married the mother, who was born in Virginia in 1778, 
and they together came to Tennessee in 1809. The father died in Lincoln County in 1»28. 
The mother died in Texas in 1857. 

J. C. REED, an enterprising citizen of the Fourteenth District, was born in Will- 
iamson County, Tenn., in 1820, son of J. C. and Agnes Reed. The father wa? born in 
North Carolina about 1785, and immigrated to Williamson Cohnty, Tenn., with his parents 
when but thirteen years of age. He was a tiller of the soil, and died in 1848. He was one 
of the minute men in the Seminole war under Gen. Jackson. The mother of our subject 
was born in Pennsylvania about 1790, and was of Irish origin. She died in 1828. Our sub- 
ject was reared on the farm and attended school until he was large enough to assist on the 
farm. In 1847 he wedded Louisa, daughter of Jesse and Eliza Fee. Mrs. Reed was born 
in Lincoln County in 1833, and by her union with Mr. Reed became the mother of eight 
children: Eliza A., John M., Sarah E.. J. L., S. W., M. A., Martha and H. C. After mar- 
riage our subject lived on the home place for thirteen years, after which he began for him- 
self with but little means. He is now a well-to-do farmer, owning about 750 acres of fair 
land. He is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was for James K. Polk. Mrs. Reed 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father, Jesse Fee, was born in 
North Carolina in 1805. He was a farmer by occupation, and died very suddenly ]\Iay 22. 
1867, from what was thought to be heart disease. 

R. C. RIVES, saddler, of Petersburg, was born in Marshall County March 12, 1838. 
His father. Green Rives, was of English descent, born in Virginia in 1773, and came to 
Tennessee in 1830. He was a schoolmate and personal friend of Winfield Scott, and was 
married three times. Our subject is the son of his wife Susan (Woodard) Rives, who wa» 
born in Virginia in 1810. She died in 1850, as did her husband. Our subject was reared 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 907 

on a farm, and March 13, 1863, married Rebecca J. Gillian, who was born in Alabama 
April 2, 1839. To them were born twelve children, these five now living: Anna, Mary C, 
Sarah, Lutha G. and Berlie. After his father's death our subject resided with his brother 
twelve months, and then learned the saddler's trade. After some time he and his brother 
B. W. became partners in business, continuing until the war, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany C, Eighth Tennessee Infantry, but after a short time was discharged on account of 
ill health. After the war he again opened a shop at Petersburg, where he has since re- 
sided, with the exception of four years, when he had a shop at Belfast, and spent one 
year at Lewisburg. Since December, 1885, he and O. S. Christopher have been partners 
in business, and keep the largest stock in the county. Mr. Rives is conservative in poli- 
tics, but of late years has voted the Democratic ticket. He belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN ROACH, an old and well respected citizen of Lincoln County, and a native of 
Warren County, Tenn., was born December 28, 1823. His father, James Roach, was a 
native of Ireland, born in 1788, and followed agricultural pursuitsfor a livelihood, in con- 
nection Avith all kinds of mechanical work. When about nineteen years of age he left 
Ireland and came to the United States, landing at Savannah, Ga., where he lived at the 
time of his marriage, which occurred about 1805. In 1828 he came to Lincoln County, 
where he died in 1831. He was one of the early settlers of Warren County. The mother 
of our subject, Elizabeth (Ivy) Roach, was born near Savannah, Ga., in 1789. Her father 
was of English and her mother of Scotch extraction. She was the mother of fifteen chil- 
dren, ten of whom lived to be grown, and five are living now, viz.: Ellen, Susan J., Mar- 
tha, William D. and John. Our subject was reared without a father's care or guidance 
or a mother's tender love and training. After the death of his parents there were .five 
children left, all of whom were bound out. John was bound out till he was twentj'-oue 
years of age, and was to receive for his services a horse, saddle and bridle, valued at 
|125; a suit of clothes, worth $35; and twelve months' schooling. He was married a 
short time before his time was out, and received his horse and saddle. His wife was Mar- 
tha D. Parks, daughter of William Parks, his guardian. Mrs. Roach was born in Lincoln 
Couuty June 13, 1825, and by her marriage became the mother of six children: Benjamin 
T., William A., Clayborn M., Mary E. (wife of Madison Luna), Otheua (wife of William 
A. E. Pitts), and Martha E. (wife of William R. Cashion). Between the years 1845 and 
1856 he became the possessor of 280 acres of land in the Eleventh District, where he re- 
mained until July, 1866, when he disposed of his real estate and, October 4, bought 380 
acres in the Seventh District, where he now resides. October, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany C, Thirty»second Regiment Tennessee Infantrj^ and was elected first lieutenant. 
He fought in the battle of Fort Douelson, in which action he received a wound in the 
throat and arm, and was disabled from duty for the remainder of the year. After recov- 
ering from the wound he was taken with the fevers, and Avas never able to return to duty. 
He has been a life-long Democrat, and his first vote was cast for James K. Polk. In 1852 
he was electi'd magistrate of his district, and for nine years tilled that office. He is a 
Mason, and he and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church. 

IVISON T. RODES, station agent at Fayetteville, Tenn., for the Fayetteville Branch 
of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad, and the Fayetteville Branch of the 
Duck River Valley Railroad, is the son of Thomas J. and Mildred Martin (Dickerson) 
Rodes, born in Virginia in 1807 and 1811, respectively. They came to Tennessee in 1837, 
and the father died in Coffee County in 1864. After his death Mrs. Rodes married Ira 
Kinnaughan, and in 1885 slie, too, passed away. Our subject was born January 19, 1838, 
aud received an academical education in Coffee and Warren Counties. He resided with 
his parents until twenty-five years of age. October 16, 1860, he and Emma Miller were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Rodes is a daughter of Peter Miller, and was born in October, 
1838. The following are the names of their children: Thomas M., James E., both rail- 
road contractors; Mary M. ; William C, telegraph operator at Fayetteville: Arthur S., 
who assists his father; Ivisou T., Jr., and Henry Ernest. Mr. Rodes' early life wa& 



908 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

spent in fanning, and in the fall of 1863 he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Tennessee 
Cavalry, and in 1864 was appointed lieutenant of Company A, Twenty-eighth Regiment, 
and served until the close of the war. He was at Murfreesboro and in numerous minor 
engagements, returning home in May, 1865, and soon after began his career on the rail- 
road as conductor, express agent and mail agent on the McMinnville Branch for three 
j'ears. In October, 1873, he came to Fayetteville, and for two years was conductor on 
the l)ranch from Decherd to Fayetteville, and was then given his present position. Dur- 
ing his long career on and in the service of the road he has ever proved upright, straight- 
forward ar.d courteous. He is a Democrat, a Mason, a member of the K. of H., a Good 
Templar, and himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 
Mr. Rodes lost his wife in 1880, and March 24, 1882. he wedded Florida Lasater, of Man- 
chester, Tenn. 

W. M. ROSBOROUGH'S father was born on the Atlantic Ocean in 1777, while his 
parents were on their way to the United States from Belfast, Ireland. They located in 
South Carolina, and there our subject's father and mother were married. The father 
died in 1845, and the mother in 1877. W. M. Rosborough was born in Lincoln 
County, Tenn., June 18, 1837, and after his father's death, he took care of his mother until 
her death. His father was a large land owner, and at his mother's death he inherited her 
dower, and now owns 230 acres of good land. He was married to Harriet Thomas in 1876. 
She was born in Lincoln County in 1831. Our subject is an excellent neighbor and citi- 
zen, and is a conservative Democrat in politics, and, although he served in the Confeder- 
ate Army, was opposed to the principles of secession. He served in Company C. Eighth 
Tennessee Infantry. He was wounded four times at Murfreesboro and was compelled to 
abandon service two years. He then rejoined, and was at Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree 
Creek. Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville and others. He returned home in 1865. Mr. Ros- 
borough is an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

J. H. RUSSELL, proprietor of a hotel at Petersburg, is a native of Marshall County, 
born March 18, 1842, one of ten children of John M. and Ella J. (Radford) Russell. The 
father was a Georgian by birth, born in 1805, a farmer and extensive tobacco grower. He 
located in Marshall County, Tenn., in 1835, and there remained until his death in 1863. 
The mother was born in the same neighborhood as her husband, in 1807, and died in 1866. 
Our subject attended 1 Hope Academy and resided under the paternal roof until 
1861. when he entered the army, joining Company A, Eighth Tennessee Infantry, and 
took part In the battles of Murfreesboro, Shlloh, Winchester, Huntsville, and several 
smaller engagements. He served three years, was wounded seven times, but lost little or 
no time from active field duties. He returned home in January, 1864, and began farming, 
and remained in this business about four years. February 11, 1864, he married Mary J. 
"Waters, who was born in Marshall County, in 1845, and bore her husband five children ^ 
George H., Fannie E., W. T., Susan B., and Myrtle. About 1868 Mr. Russell removed to 
Petersburg, and has since kept hotel. He keeps a first-class house and is obliging and hos- 
pitable in the treatment of his guests. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. 

ISAAC RUTLEDGE, farmer of the Fifth District, is a native of ITorth Carolina, 
born in 1819, and a son of Isaac and Ruth (Steelman) Rutledge. The father was a native 
of North Carolina, and of French descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and died 
about 1836. Mrs. Rutledge was also born, reared and married in North Carolina, and 
died in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1828. Our subject was reared by his father, his mother 
having died when he was small, and had the advantage of a district school education 
In 1842 he married Martha J. Wagoner, and this union resulted in the birth of six chil. 
dren, four of whom are living: Margaret A., wife of James C. Shofner; Daniel H., of 
Texas; Ruth R., wife of R. B. Logan, and Nanny J., wife of Andrew Edwards, of Ruther- 
ford County, Tenn. Mrs. Rutledge died in the latter part of the year 1857, and in 1858 
our subject wedded Rebecca A. Buchanan, and by her became the father of eight chil- 
dren, six of whom are living: Orville C; Lola L., wife of G. G. Osborne, of Bedford 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 909 

County; Fannie L., wife of Elder T. C. Herndon, one of Kentucky's best divines and 
instructors; John L., Rosa Lou and Garland M. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate 
Army, Fifth Kentucky Regiment, and was in most of the principal battles. During the 
battle of Baton Rouge he was shot through the body, and lay on the battle-field twenty- 
four hours before he received aid. He was then taken prisoner, but not thinking he 
could recover he was turned over to his friends, and has never entirely recovered from 
the effects of his wound. He is of Democratic principles, and he and wife are members 
of the Primitive Baptist Church. In January, 1886. he sold his farm of 305 acres to his 
son, Orville C, who is now living at home, and who is a promising young man. He re- 
ceived the best educational advantages the Fifth District can afford, and is a Democrat in 
politics, casting his first vote for Grover Cleveland. He is a member of the Primitive 
Baptist Church. 

D. M. SANDERS is a native of Lincoln County. Tenn., born in 1846, and his early 
days were spent in attending the district schools and assisting his parents on the farm, 
After attaining man's estate he was married to Mrs. Martha J. "Watson in December. 
1865. She was born in Lincoln County iu 1842, daughter of James and Betsy Bowle.s, and 
their union was blessed with the birth of two children: John B. and Arena. In 1883 Mr. 
Sanders purchased 316 acres of valuable land, on which are good buildings and a fine 
orchard. His farm, which he has accumulated by hard labor and good management, is 
located on Coldwater Creek near Fa}^etteville. Mr. Sanders is a Democrat, and during 
the late war served in Capt. George's company— Company G, Twentieth Tennessee Cav- 
alry, a short time during 1864. His parents, M. and Eveline Sanders, were born in Ala- 
bama and Tennessee in 1820 and 1824, respectively. They were married in Tennessee, 
whither the father had moved in his youth. The father was a farmer, and died March 26, 
1880. His wife resides with her son Mack. 

E. M. SCOTT is a son of John L. Scott, who was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 
1824, and whose people came from North Carolina at a very early date and located where 
Nashville now stands. Our subject's grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and died 
in Tennessee when over ninety years of age. Our subject's father died in 1854. The 
mother was born in Lincoln County in 1823, and is now the wife of Squire Pickle, and re- 
sides in the Eleventh District. At the age of sixteen our subject joined the army, serving 
in Company C, Eighth Tennessee Infantry nine months, and then joined Company K, 
Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in many blood)' engagements. He was cap- 
tured near Knoxville, but made his escape the same day. He returned home May 18, 1865. 
In 1866 be married M. T. Chitwood, daughter of William Chitwood. She was born in 
Lincoln County in 1849, and six children were born to their union: Ophelia, John L., 
Clemmie, Willie, Thomas R. and Ella. Mr. Scott has always been a farmer, and is the 
owner of 181 acres of valuable and well improved land. He and wife are members of the 
Primitive Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. 

D. C. SHERRELL. citizen and merchant of Dellrose, and a native of Lincoln County, 
Tenn., is a son of Dr. Joseph L. and Martha Sherrell. The father was born in Lincoln 
County October 2, 1834, and is now a retired physician, residing in the Sixteenth District. 
The mother was also born in Lincoln County, Tenn., and died in 1862. Our subject re- 
ceived an excellent education, and January 1, 1880, was united in marriage to Mary E. 
McCoy, who was born in Giles County, January 1, 1862, and whose parents were M. E. and 
Elinor McCoy, of Bradshaw, Giles County. To our subject and wife was born one child: 
Horace E. Previous to his marriage D. C. Sherrell entered the employ of Hill, Miller & Co., 
merchants of Pulaski, Giles County, as salesman, and afterward entered into partnership 
with W. H. Stone, and began merchandising at Dellrose, where he has since continued. 
From 1873 to 1876 he was alone in the business, but in 1881 W. E. McCoy bought an in- 
terest in the business, and the firm is known as D. C. Sherrell & Co. He and his brother, 
B. A. , are also in the drug business, and are doing a good business for a country town. 
Mr. Sherrell has also a harness shop at the same place. Mr. Sherrell is a man much re- 
spected by all his acquaintances, and is an excellent citizen and an obliging neighbor. He 

87 



910 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

\ 

is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli South. 
Dellrose can boast of a telephone. The line runs from Pulaski to their village, and the 
only one at the present time in Lincoln County. 

JAMES C. SHOFNER, farmer, and a son of Jephtha H. and Nancy (Logan) Shofner, 
was born June 5, 1845, and is one of a familj' of eleven children, seven of whom are 
living. The father of our subject was born in Lincoln County in 1811 and was of Dutch 
extraction. He was a farmer and died March 11, 1886. The mother of our subject was 
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1816 and is now living on the old homestead. Our 
.subject received his education in the Mulberry and Greenwood school, and during the late 
war he enlisted in Gen. Forrest's escort under Capt. Boone, when he was but sixteen 
years old, and was in many of the principal battles. He was captured while at home and 
paroled. In 1865 he wedded Mary A. Rutledge (daughter of Isaac and Jane Riitledge) and 
the fruits of this union were nine children, seven of whom are living: Lena L., Mattie J.. 
Walter N., Pearl, Mar5% Alice R. and Reuben T. Soon after marriage Mr. Shofner pur- 
chased 150 acres of laud of his father near Booneville, where he still resides. In 1883 he 
connected himself with R. A. Musgrove in the mercantile business at Booneville, and is 
succeeding in an admirable manner. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and Mrs. Shof- 
ner are worthy members of the Baptist Church. 

REV. ARCHIBALD S. SLOAN, of the Twentieth District, and son of James and 
Jane (Thompson) Sloan. was born in Newbury, S. C, December 8, 1821. He was one of a 
family of eight children, only three of whom are living, viz. : Rev. H. T., pastor of Cedar 
Springs and Long Cane, S. C, which position he has tilled for thirty-eight years; Mrs. 
Jane Chalmers, of Newbury, S. C; and our subject. The father of our subject was born 
in South Carolina in 1796, and was of Irish extraction. He was a farmer by occupation, 
and w^as married in 1819. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1869, ho was the 
owner of about 800 acres of good land. Mrs. Sloan was a native of South Carolina, born in 
1803, and died in 1872. Our subject received the rudiments of his education in the schools 
of the neighborhood, but subsequently entered Erskine College, South Carolina, where he 
took a regular course, graduating in 1844. In 1846 he was licensed to enter the minis- 
terial profession under the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and soon after emi- 
grated to Lincoln Connty, and after moving around for some time began his ministerial 
career at Prosperity, where he remained as pastor for twenty-seven j'ears. March 14; 
1848, he wedded Elizabeth J. Stewart, a native of Lincoln Connty, born September 20, 
1829, and to this union were born seven children, six of whom are living, viz.: Nora J. 
(wife of H. T. Sloan), Mary F. (wife of John Lindsey), James T., Olivia C. (wife of E. 
H. Parkinson), Thomas W. and Ebbie C. Mr. Sloan has a flue farm in a good state of 
cultivation. While yet preaching at Prosperity his charge increased till he was compelled 
to abandon his practice at that place, since which time he has been pastor at Bethel and 
New Hope; virtually he has preached the gospel to the same people for forty years, being 
among the earliest Christian workers. In 1886 his son, Thomas W,, graduated at Erskine 
College, South Carolina, the same place from where his father graduated forty-two years 
jirevious. 

J. H. SMITH, farmer, was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1834, and received his 
early education at the schools near his home. He afterward attended New Hope Acad- 
emy, Marshall County, Tenn., and Erskine College, at Due West, S. C. Here he gradu- 
ated August 8, 1860. In September. 1863, he united his fortunes with those of Nancy M. 
Downing, a native of Maishall County, born October 23, 1834, and a daughter of John and 
Eliza Downing. This marriage resulted in our subject becoming the father of four chil- 
dren, three of whom are living: John ¥., Anna E. B., Eliza M. (deceased), and Elmer R. 
After graduating, Mr. Smith entered the teacher's profession, and taught until hostilities 
broke out between the North and South. At the close of the war he resumed teaching 
and his wife also engaged in that occupation, which thej- continued for eleven years. 
In 1871 Mr. Smith purchased eighty-nine acres of land in the Thirteenth District, where 
he located, and where he has since resided. He now owns 187 acres of land in a good 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 



913 



Louisa Stevenson, who were born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1833 and 1834, respectively. 
The father has been twice married, our subject being the only issue of his first marriage. 
The mother died February 1, 1856. W. B. Stevenson completed his education at Bethany 
High School, and has since been a successful agriculturist. In 1875 he married Nelia, 
daughter of David S. and Elizabeth Patterson. Mrs. Stevenson was born in June, 1856, 
and has borne three children: Jerrena R., Zana M. (deceased) and Annie Hencil. Mr. 
Stevenson owns a large and well cultivated farm, and is a man of good business qualifica- 
tions. He raises considerable stock, his farm being adapted to grazing as well as raising 
cereals, and he takes much interest in establishing and supporting educational and reli- 
gious institutions. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodisi 
Epi.scopal Churcli South. For the last four years he has been experimenting in growing 
liedge fences, and has been very successful, and now has hedge on his place, three years 
old, which is sufficiently large to confine stock. 

DR. WILLIAM STEWART, physician and surgeon, residing near Molino, Tenn., 
was born in Newberry, S. C, February 9. 1809. His parents, John and Elizabttli (Dren- 
nan) Stewart, were born in the Emerald Isle. They came to the United States, and the 
father participated in the Revolutionary war, serving the entire time. He was a farmer 
and died in 1826. In 1827 the mother came to Tennessee with her children, and here she 
died in 1844. They were the parents of seventeen children. Our subject was educated 
iu his native State, and came to Tennessee when nineteen years of age. He began study- 
ing medicine at the age of twenty-three, and October 13, 1831, married Nancy McClain, 
who was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1811. Of their ten children nine are living: 
John P., James L., J. Milton, Robert A., Henry M., Elizabeth A. (Mrs. A. J. Davis), 
Joseph B., Mary J. (widow of J. W. Dandridge), and Oliver Sidney. Our subject farmed 
for some time in Bedford County after his marriage, and then began practicing medicine, 
soon acquiring a lucrative business. In 1848 he settled in Lincoln Countj on the old home 
place. In I860, not being satisfied with his medical knowledge, he went to Macon, Ga., 
anxi took a course of lectures in the Reform Medical College, and graduated iu the same 
year. August 29, 1869, Dr. Stewart lost his wife, and September 37 of the following year 
he married Fannie Sheddan. who was born in Blount County in 1836. Dr. Stewart has 
been exceptionally fortunate iu the practice of his profession, and is considered a skillful 
physician and surgeon. He owns 305 acres of land, and in politics still holds to the old 
Whig principles. In 1865 he represented Lincoln County iu the State Senate. Dr. Stew- 
art is a strong advocate for temperance and has done much to eradicate the evil of in- 
temperance in communities where he has resided. Not one of his large family of chil- 
dren has ever used liquor in any form, and the same may be said of them in regard to 
tobacco, tea and coffee. The Doctor and his wife have been members of- the United 
Presbyterian Church for many years. 

J. D. STONE, a prominent citizen of the Seventh District, was born iu Lincolii 
County, Tenn., December 35, 1839, one of six children born to the marriage of L. L. 
Stone and E. P. Drake, who were born in Bedford Countj^ Va., and Madison County, 
Ala., respectively. The father's birth occurred in 1801. He came to Tennessee, with his 
parents, when about si.xteen j^ears of age. He was a farmer and owned upward of 1.000 
acres of land. lie died in 1880. The mother departed this life in 1873. Our subject 
received his rudimentary education in the common schools of Lincoln Count}^ aud after- 
ward attended Nuihville University. In 1861 he wedded S. A., daughter of D. B., and 
Julia Shull, aud their union resulted in the birth of five children: Julia (Mrs. J. A. Gow- 
ell;, Eva, B. B., E. E. and Rose. Our subject has always resided on the old homestead. 
After the death of his father he fell heir to a portion of the ^'amily estate, and he now 
owns '615 acres of very desirable land, well improved. He has given his children good ed- 
ucational advantages, and has done much to aid educational and religious institutions. 
He is conservative in politics, and his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, and was 
at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Perryville, Murfreesboro and many minor eng:i..;eraents. He 



914 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

was wounded at Shilob and gave up active duties for about three mouths. He was capt- 
ured at Murfreesboro, and held a prisoner at 'amp Douglas, Chicago, for about four 
mouths. He returned home in May, 1865. 

DR. R. S. STONE, a physician of Dellrose. was born in Giles County, Tenn., June 15, 
1849, and was a son of Thomas J. Stone, and a grandson of Thomas C. Stone, and a great- 
grandson of Joshua Stone. Thomas J., the father of our subject, was born August 7, 
180(i, and went to Giles County, with his parents, in 1812, locating at Pulaski. He was 
married in 1839, and was a farmer by occupation. His death occurred April 17, 1874. 
The Doctor's mother was born in Giles County in 1816, and died in 1849. Our subject re- 
ceived a good literary education at Bethany and Elkton, Giles County. He then entered 
the office of Dr. A. L. Glaze, a very prominent citizen and a brother-in-law of Mr. Stone, 
wliere he remained about twenty mouths. He then entered the medical department of the 
Vanderbilt University, where he graduated in 1875. Previous to this, December 24, 1874, 
he married Annie Sherrell, a native of Lincoln County, born December, 1856, and by this 
union the}-^ became the parents of four children: Emmet R., Mary V., Joseph S. and An- 
drew A. After graduating Dr. Stone located in the Sixteenth District, and began the 
practice of medicine. In 1881, for the purpose of getting a more central location to his 
practice and a pleasant place, he removed to Dellrose, and has recently built a fine resi- 
dence on an excellent farm of 300 acres. He has a large practice, and is entirely devoted 
to his professional duties. Ho has had flattering success in all treatments of patients, and 
is a man well-known and much esteemed throughout the county. He is independent in 
political belief, and he and wife are members of the Metliodist Episcopal Church. 

GEORGE STUART, farmer, whose birth occurred in North Carolina in March, 1814, 
is a' son of Thomas and Sarah Stuart. The father of our subject was a descendant of 
Irish ancestors, and was born in North Carolina. He immigrated to West Virginia, and re- 
mained there until his death. The mother was also born in North Carolina, and died in 
Moore County, Tenn. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a rather limited 
education in the schools of those early days. He came to Tennessee, with his widowed 
mother, when about seventeen years of age. and in 1831 married Harriet Woodard, a na- 
tive of North Carolina, born in 1816, and the daughter of William and Sarah Woodard. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Stuart were born these children: Sarah (wife of Thomas Lockey), Eliza 
(wife of William Tucker), Thomas. Green, Mary (widow of D. M. Summers), Robert, 
Martha (wife of Joseph Clark), and Docia (wife of Dr. Walter McMulleu, of Texas). Soon 
after marriage our subject moved to Millville. and was engaged in the milling business 
for seven years. In 1849 he bought 100 acres in the Thirteenth District, where he located 
and where he has since resided. He has since bought more land, and now owns 300 acres 
of good land! Mr. Stuart has reared a large family, and helped them to a good start in 
life. He began for himself with no means, but by energy and good business qualifications 
has araa.ssed a considerable amount of property. Mr. Stuart is a Democrat in politics, 
and during the late civil war had two sons in the army. Thomas entered in the first 
company that was organized, and served four years. He was captured, and taken to Fort 
Delaware, but made a daring escape by swimming the bay. Mr. Stuart and wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are noted for being good citizens and 
kind neighbors. 

HON. L. D. SUGG, an old and respected farmer, was born in Robertson County, 
Tenn., March 3, 1826, and is a son of Cullen E. and Sidney (Conrad) Sugg. The father 
was born in Robertson County. Tenn., in 1798. He was of Scotch descent and was mar- 
ried about 1822. and was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation. He came to Lincoln 
Couuty about 1826. The mother was born in Springfield Tenn., in May, 1802, and died 
in February, 1886. His people first went to Davidson County at a very early date 
and built block-houses to protect themselves from the Indians. The father died in 1849. 
Our subject in youth received the rudiments of his education in the schools near 
home, and afterward completed his education in the Viny Grove Institution, under Parson 
Bryson and Prof. John A. Steward. In 1856 he married Margaret Holbert, daughter of 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 915 

Pleasant and Nancy Holbert. Mrs. Sugg was born in Lincoln County July 9, 1836, and 
her marriage resulted in the birth of seven children: Douglas, Ethel (wife of E. Wilson, 
Naoma, Eula (wife of Edgar Thurston, of Alabama), Sidney, Nancy and William. Mr. 
Sugg now owns 600 acres of good laud, all well improved. He is a man well known 
through out the county, and is much esteemed for his many good qualities. In 1878 he 
was chosen to represent the people in the House of Representative.s, and that position he 
filled to the satisfaction of his constituents and in a creditable manner to himself. He is a 
Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

H. H. SUGG, citizen and farmer, was born on the farm where he now lives in the 
Thirteenth District February, 30, 1831, and is a son of Cullen and Sidney (Conrad) Sugg. 
Our subject received the rudiments of his education in the schools near his home, and fin- 
ished at Fayetteville and Forest Hill, Giles County. In November, 1855, he wedded Sallie 
Bruce, a native of Lincoln County. She died the same year they were married, and May, 
1858, our subject took for his second wife Mrs. Elvira, daughter of Cornelius and Mrs. 
Allen. The result of this union was an interesting family of two children: Edward and 
Kate E. (wife of J. K. Whitaker). After his marriage he located on the old home -place, 
and remained there until 1859, when he bought 320 acres near by, and moved to that. At 
the end of ten years, he exchanged with his brother T. J. for the old home place, and now 
owns 340 acres of valuable land. In 1865, he wedded Miss L. Yowell, a native of Peters- 
burg, Teun., born in 1837, and to this union were born four children: Henry, Sabra, Susie 
and William. Mr. Sugg has been quite successful in business, and has given his children 
good educational advantages. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members 
of the Christian Church. In 1862 he enlisted in Capt. Freeman's Company of Artillery, 
and was in the battle of Chickamauga and a great many artillery engagements. He was 
captured in 1863, but was soon afterward exchanged. 

W. C. SUGG is one of seven children born to the marriage of CuUeu E. and Sidney 
Sugg, and was reared at home, receiving his education in the schools near his home and 
Viney Grove Academy. In 1858 he married Mary S., daughter of Dr. John and Josephine 
Wood. She was born in Lincoln County in September, 1841, and bore her husband eight 
children: J. D. (merchant), Jennie (wife of S. A. Bingsley), Mary A. (Mrs. J. C. 
Whitaker), W. C, Jr., Vic, Ida W., Lemuel H. and Thomas F. Our subject and his 
brother, L. D., farmed together about ten years when he purcha.sed 500 acres of land, on 
which he located and which he has increased to 820 acres. His farm is well improved 
with good barns and fine orchards. Mr. Sugg has trafficked a great deal in both laud and 
stock, and is a shrewd financier. Besides his home farm he owns 400 acres elsewhere, i 
Most of his children have had the advantage of a collegiate education and he is a man of 
broad views and keen intellect. He is a bitter antagonist to all monopolies and every- 
thing that tends to oppress the laboring man. He is conservative, voting always as his 
conscience dictates. 

NEWTON C. SULLIVAN, farmer and magistrate of the Twelfth District, was born 
in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1823, and is the son of Cornelius and Mary A. (Gunter) Sul- 
livan. The father was a native of Cheatham County, N. C, born in 1793, and followed 
agricultural pursuits as a livelihood. He was married in 1812, and in 1818 came to Lin- 
coln County, Tenn., locating in the Fifth District, but afterward moved to the Twelfth 
District, where he remained until his career ended in 1846. He was of Irish extraction. 
The mother was born in 1794, in Cheatham County, N. C, and .since the death of her 
husband she has lived on the old place, but is now living with her children. She is yet 
living, and is ninety-two year sold. About four years ago she fell and injured her hip, 
which renders her helpless in regard to walking, but her mind is perfectly clear and active. 
She is the oldest lady in the county. Our subject was one of eleven children, seven of 
whom are living. He was reared at home, and received a fair education in the schools of 
the county. At the age of nineteen he left home, and commenced working as a day- 
laborer on the farm. In 1844 he went to Mississippi and became an overseer on a planta- 
tion, where he remained for six years. He then returned to his birthplace, and in March, 



916 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

1851, he married Margaret Mauldin, daughter of Harris Mauldin. Mrs. Sullivan was born 
in Marshall County in 1836, and by her union to Mr. Sullivan became the mother of 
eleven children: Harris H., Mary E. (wife of James A. Brisco), George W. J., Susan D., 
Newton C, Julia F. (wife of James Barns), Alva H., Sarah M., Octavia A., Cornelius IJ- 
and Willie B. Our subject enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, in Company E, 
Forty-first Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, under Col. Bob Farqueharson, and fought in 
the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville and numerous severe skirmishes. 
After the fight at Fort Donelson the Forty-fourth Regiment, followed Gen. Sidney John- 
ston to Corinth, Miss., and joined under Col. John S. Fulton, where he remained until 
the latter part of the year 1863. In 1865 our subject located on 290 acres in the Twelfth 
District where he has since resided. He now owns 415 acres. In politics he has been a 
life-long Democrat, casting his first vote for Lewis Cass. He is a Mason, and Mrs. Sulli- 
van is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1874 Mr. Sullivan was 
elected magistrate to fill a vacancy, and for the past ten years has adjusted his constitu- 
ents difficulties, with impartial fairness, and there has never been an appeal taken from his 
decisions. The Sullivan family are noted for longevity. Susan, our subject's great aunt, 
lived to be one hundred and seven years old. Nancy, her sister was ninety, and Jerry, 
their brother, was also ninety. 

CAPT. W. A. SUMMERS was born in Limestone County, Ala., February 20, 1838, and 
received his rudimentary education in the common schools, and afterward attended Oak 
Hill Institute, and graduated in 1870. While a student he conducted some of the classes 
in the college. June 9, 1870, he married Annie, daughter of J. L. and C. L. Walker. Mrs. 
Summers was born in Giles County, Tenn., September 14, 1848, and was educated at 
Bethany Institute and Oak Hill College, and was a teacher for some time. She has borne 
three children: Tully A., Willie H. and Laura K. Mr. Summers taught school eight 3'ears 
after his marriage, and was very successful in that calling. In 1878 he was compelled to 
give up teaching, owing to ill health. He began farming, and now owns 300 acres of very 
desirable land. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1861 enlisted in Company E, Thirty 
second Tennessee Infantry, and upon the reorganization of the army he was promoted to 
the rank of captain. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Chickamauga and 
Missionary Ridge, and received a severe wound. After his recovery he was at Resaca, 
Kennesaw Mountain and many other engagements, and was a brave soldier, rendering 
valuable service to the Confederacy. He was a prisoner for some seven months, and re- 
turned home in June, 1865. 

JAMES H. TAYLOR, farmer and prominent citizen of the Twenty -fifth District, and 
a son of Young and Sarah C. (Poston) Taylor, was born in Lincoln County April 11. 1822, 
and is one of a family of nine children, only two of whom are living. The father of our 
subject was born in 1789, and had no advantages for acquiring an education. He was 
married when about twenty-two, and was employed for many years as an overseer of 
slaves. About 1818 he immigrated to Lincoln County, and farmed as a tenant for several 
years. He then purchased 240 acres in the Fourth District, where he remained until his 
wife's death in 1866. His death occurred about 1874. Our subject received a practical 
education in the neighboring schools, and February 15, 1844, was married to Martha Sim- 
mons, by whom he had six children, four of whom are living: Jarred S., Sarah (wife of 
Thomas B. George), Franklin P. and William. After marriage our subject farmed for sev- 
eral years as a tenant, but imitating the example of his father, and inheriting his strong 
will and determined character, was so far successful in his labors as to soon be able to 
procure a home of his own. In 1849 he purchased one-half interest in 400 acres of land at 
Smithland, on which he located and continues to reside. He has since increased his origi- 
nal tract to over 1,000 acres, but has donated considerable to his children, and now has 
about .550 acres of fine land. Mrs. Taylor died April 17. 1881, and November 11, 1884. Mr. 
Taylor married Mrs. Rettie Reagor, who was born in Lincoln County May 22, 1846. Our 
subject is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for James K. Polk. Mrs. Taylor 
is a member of the Christian Church. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 917 

JARRED S. TAYLOR, farmer, and a son of James H. and Martha (Simmons) Tay- 
lor, was born in Lincoln County in 1847, and is one of a family of six children, four of 
whom are living. He received a liberal education in the common schools, and taught 
during the years 1869 and 1870. He afterward engaged in farming, and in March, 1871, 
united his fortunes with those of Mollie McLaughlin, daughter of William H. and Mar- 
garet K. McLaughlin. The result of our subject's marriage was the birth of eight chil- 
dren: Bernice, Beulah, William H., James M., GuyF., Andrew E., Maggie E. and Hor- 
ace. Mr. Taylor began farming at first as a tenant, but in 1874 purchased land in Smith 
land and began clerking in a mercantile establishment at that place. In 1883 he, in 
company with his brother, entered the mercantile business on their own responsibility in 
the same place. In 1884 he disconnected himself with the firm, and removed to where he 
now resides, one mile north of the village, on a farm of 140 acres. Mrs. Taylor was born in 
Lincoln County in 1842, and she, as well as her husband, are members of the Christian 
Church. Mr. Taylor is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Horatio Seymour. He is 
also a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

YOUNG A. TAYLOR is a son of Edmund and Jane (Poston) Taylor, and was born in 
Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1826. His early schooling did not exceed four months. When 
the war broke out between the North and South he enlisted in Company A, Forty-fourth 
Tennessee Infantry, and was in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Peters- 
burg. He was wounded at Horse Shoe Bend, and was obliged to give up further service. 
He resumed farming on his farm of 126 aci-es, which he had purchased before the war, 
and which he has since increased to 308 acres. When twenty-three years old he was 
married to Elizabeth Styles, who died in 1859, leaving four children: Mary A., Sarah, 
Francis, and James. In March, 1861, Mr. Ta3'lor wedded Martha McClure, by whom he 
had ten children, nine now living: Temple C, Young A., William F., ZylphiaE., John 
H., Ida B., Cora F., Ardella, and Andy W. Our subject's parents were born in Virginia 
and North Carolina, respectively, and were married in the latter State. The father was 
a farmer, and died a few years previous to the war. The mother died in 1874. 

TEMPLE C. TAYLOR, farmer, and a son of Edmond and Jane D. (Poston) Taylor, 
was born in Lincoln County Februarv 4, 1825, and is one of ten children, six of whom are 
living. The father was born in Virginia and married in North Carolina. He was a farm- 
er by occupation and owned 204 acres of land. His career ended a few years previous to 
the civil war. Mrs. Taylor died about 1874. Our subject was reared at home and re- 
ceived no education worth speaking about, having attended school only about six weeks 
in his life. During the war he enlisted in Company A, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, 
under Capt. Styles, and was engaged in many of the principal battles. He then returned 
home after four years of honorable service. He had purchased a small farm previous to 
the war, and after his return sold it and purchased 265 acres where he is now living. 
October 9, 1878, he married I\Irs. Clemmenza L. McClellen, daughter of Martin and Naucy 
N. Wisener. Mr. Taylor is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. Previous to entering the army our subject made a pair of shoes 
which he wore during the entire service. Mrs. Wisener was born July 26,1812, and is now 
living with her daughter, Mrs. Taylor. Mr. Wisener vv^as born March 18, 1786, and died 
when Mrs. Taylor was quite small. 

THOMAS TAYLOR, son of James and grandson of Edmund Taylor, was boro in 
Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1824. His father and grandfather were Virginians. The 
former married Jensie Shelton in Virginia, and became the father of eleven children, four 
now living. He has always made farming his occupation, and at an early day came to 
Tennessee and settled among the canebrakes, where he afterward became the owner of 
400 acres of land. He died in 1844, after a well-spent life. The mother died in 1852. 
Thomas received very meager educational advantages. November 15, 1853, he married 
Mary, daughter of Hillery H. and Dovey Hill, and nine children are the results of their 
union: James H., Young A., Elizabeth J., John F., Robert J., Jennie L. and Susan F. 
Mr. Taylor farmed his father's place until both parents' deaths, and in 1861 purchased 



918 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

sixty-nine acres of land, which, by the aid of his wife and his own energy and economy, 
he has increased to 800 acres. During the late war he served gallantly in Company B, 
Forty-fourth Tennessee Regiment, C. S. A. He has been a life long Democrat. 

EDVVARD TAYLOR, farmer, was born October, 1831, in Lincoln County, and is one 
of a family of seven children born to William and Priscilla (Alexander) Taylor. The 
father was born in Virginia in 1790 and received his education in the neighboring schools. 
He was a mechanic and farmer by occupation and immigi'ated to Tennessee, with his 
parents, when but a small boy. He was married about 1819, and in 1842 purchased' 150 
acres where Edward now resides. He died in 1858, and Mrs. Taylor several years previous. 
Our subject received a fair education, and after reaching his majority began farming 
his father's place. December, 1849, he was married to Eliza Forester, by whom he had 
one child: N. Alexander, who is now at home. He is a young man of exemplary habits, 
industrious and honest. After marriage our subject continued to farm for his father for 
several years, and at last purchased his father's fine tract, which now consists of 160 
acres. December, 1883, Mr. Tajior had the misfortune to lose his wife. Mr. Taylor is a 
Democrat in politics and is strenously opposed to monopolies and is an ardent friend to 
all laboring men. 

JOHN A. TAYLOR, mercliaut and farmer, and a son of John A. and Elizabeth 
(Stubblefield) Taylor, was born in Lincoln County in 1849. The father was also a native 
of Lincoln County, born about 1810. He was married about 1828, and became the father 
of eleven children seven of whom are living. He was a tiller of the soil, and at the time 
of his death which occurred April, 1850, owned about 225 acres of good land. The mother 
was born in Lincoln County about the same time as her husband, and died March, 1873. 
Our subject was reared by a mother's tender care, his father having died when he was but 
an infant. He received his education in the district schools, and December 8, 1870, was 
married to Mary E. Reynolds, daughter of John and Malinda Reynolds, by whom he had 
seven children, four of whom are living, viz.: Ella, Alda O., John A. and C. Wilson. At 
tlie time of his marriage our subject was engaged in the grocery business at Kelso, where 
he continues to reside. In 1872 he purchased a stock of general merchandise, and is now 
carrying a stock to the value of about $800. He now owns real estate in the village, be- 
sides a valuable farm of 150 acres in the Twenty-third District. Mr. Taylor is at present 
depot agent at Kelso. He is a member of the L O. O. F. and of the K. of H., and he and 
Mrs. Taylor are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Taylor was born 
in Franklin County, in 1846, and her parents were also natives of the same county. 

SAMUEL H. TAYLOR is a son of Henry and Catherine M. (Sloan) Taylor, and was 
born in the district where he now resides, in 1834. His grandfather, Henry Taylor, Sr., 
was a South Carolinian, and in 1806, located in Lincoln County, Tenn., and was one of 
the first white men to assist in forming a white settlement within its borders. His son. 
Henry Taylor, settled on the old homestead after his marriage, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. He died in 1855. The mother was born in South Carolina, in 1807, 
and since her husband's death has made her home with her children. Samuel H. is her 
third child. He was educated in the neighboring schools, and attended one session at 
Viny Grove Academy. October 10, 1854, he married Miss L. Ormand, daughter of James 
and Mary (Ray) Ormand. Mrs. Taylor was born in Franklin County, Ala., in 1831, and 
became the mother of nine children, five of whom are living: Mary Emma C. (Mrs. Samuel 
H. McDill), Ormand B., Lorena A., Albert P. and Oscar S. Mr. Taylor lived twelve 
years on the old homestead after his marriage, and in 1867, purchased eighty acres of land 
in the Twelfth District, where he has since made his home. In 1884 he purchased a port- 
able saw-mill which he operates in connection with his farming. It has a capacity of 
6,000 feet per day. Attached to this is a mill for grinding corn, both for rough feed and 
table use. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, but cast his first Presidential vote for James Bu- 
chanan. In 1864 he was elected magistrate, and in 1868 was chosen tax collector of Lin- 
coln County. He has been an elder in the United Presbyterian Church for the past twen- 
ty-six years. His wife died August 30, 1885, and since then his daughter Lorena has been 
keeping house for him. 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 919 

H. D. A. THOMAS first saw the light of day in Lincoln County, Tenu., January 7, 
18'?4, being one of twelve children. William Thomas was of English birth, born in Ken- 
tucky, about 1789 and was a resident of Lincoln County, Tenn., at the time of his death, 
October 1, 1872. He was a teacher by profession, and served in the war of 1812, and was 
married, aboul 1814, to Rebecca Lyon, who was born in North Carolina in 1794, and died 
in 1868. The subject of this memoir was reared at home and educated in the common 
schools, and after attaining his majority began carving out his own fortune, but continued 
to reside with his parents until thirty-four years of age. After his marriage to Lyntha 
Millard, in 1858, he purchased his present farm of 350 acres. His wife was born Septem- 
ber 3, 1829, daughter of William and Mary (Wade) Millard, and has borne the following 
children: Mary J. (Mrs. Thomas Bryant), Rebecca ( Mrs. R. L. Moore), Elizabeth, Cora E. 
and Marcus. Our subject has given his children good educational advantages, and is con- 
sidered one of the honorable and public-spirited men of the county. He is a Democrat, 
and was opposed to secession during the late war, although he assisted in the Confederate 
Army. He is a Mason and K. of H., and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. They have in their possession a Bible that was printed in 1655, that is supposed 
to have been printed in England and descended through lier father and grandfather to 
Mrs. Thomas. 

E. T. THOMAS was born in Lincoln County March 1, 1819, son of William and Re- 
becca (Lyon) Thomas. (See sketch of H. D. A. Thomas for parents' bijography.) He attend- 
ed the country schools near his home in youth, and for two years after his marriage re- 
sided on the old home place. In 1843 he married Jane Moore, daughter of John and 
Esther (Harkins) Moore. She was born in 1823 and died in 1883, having borne eleven 
children, seven of whom are living: Esther (Mrs. H. C. McKiuzie), Albert. Rebecca (Mrs. 
J. S. Smiley), William. Josie (Mrs. P. H. Smith), Nannie (Mrs. J. T. Holland), Mary (Mrs. 
James Poindexter). Mr. Thomas has given considerable land to his children, but still owns 
270 acres, all of which he made by his own indomitable energy. He is conservative in 
politics, and cast his first presidential vote for W. H. Harrison. He is a Mason. For his 
second wife he took Mrs. Elizabeth Beasley, widow of Daniel Beasley, who died in the 
army in 1862. She reared and educated three children: Clemmey (Mrs. Cyrus Cathey), 
Sallie (wife of Prof. Douglas Allen) and John F. (a Methodist Episcopal minisier). Mrs. 
Thomas is the daughter of Rev. Felix and Ann McGaw. 

JAMES M. THORNTON is a Virginian, and son of Reuben Thornton of the same 
State, born in 1797, and married to Mary Tiffen in 1818, by whom he had nine children. 
They came to Tennessee in 1833, and here the father farmed, and died in 1863. The 
mother died in 1864. James M. was born in 1833, and received a limited education in the 
district schoolf , but by desidtory reading and study now has a good English and business 
education. At the age of twenty-one he became overseer for James Vance, with whom he 
remained three years. In the meantime, in 1844, he married Lucinda, daughter of William 
and Mary Vance. She was born in Alabama in 1825, and bore her husband eight children, 
seven of whom are living: William A., Mary E., John M., P. L., R. D., R. B., J. B., T. 
H. (deceased) and Laura J. Our subject was overseer for Mat Vance a number of years, 
and then came to Lincoln Count}% and for six years did business for Henry Kelso, and 
then entered the employ of Dr. B. Bonner, and looked after the interests of his plantation. 
After renting land two years he, in 1866, purchased 287 acres of land, which cost between 
110,000 and $11,000. He afterward purchased 4.50 acres of laud at a cost of $16,000. He 
gave this land to his four sons. Mr. Thornton began married life very poor in pur.se, but 
by industry and good business qualifications has a fine home and a comfortable compe- 
tency. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk. He be- 
longs to the Masons and has reached the degree of Chapter in that Order. He and wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he and his scms are strong 
advocates of temperance. 

JACOB VANCE is a native of the " Palmetto State," born in 1814, son of James and 
Nancy (Hill) Vance, of North Carolina, born in 1786 and died in 1848 and 1857. respect- 



920 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

ively. Of their six children four are living: Malinda (Mrs. Robert Crutcher, of Texas), 
Sarah (Mrs. Samuel Jones, of California), Maria (widow of Asbury McWilliams, of Giles 
County) and our subject. Jacob, who was reared and educated in Giles County and resided 
with his parents until twenty-two years of age. September 24, 1830, he wedded Mary 
Ann Eddings, daughter of Abraham Eddings. Mrs. Vance was born in October, 1821, in. 
Alabama. To them was born one child— W. P. (deceased). In 1849 Mr. Vance purchased 
400 acres ofj land in Giles County, but sold out in the fall of 1850, and the following year 
came to Lincoln County and purchased 478 acres near Fayetteville, where he is now re- 
siding. His farm is highly improved and furnished with good buildings and fences. Mr. 
Vance is esteemed as an honest and industrious citizen, and in his political views has been 
a life-long Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Hugh L. White, in 1836. He 
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His son, W. P. Vance, died at the 
age of twenty-five years, when all earth's brightness was promised him. He was respect- 
ed and loved for his many virtues by all who knew him, and idolized by his parents and 
relatives. His remains were followed to the tomb by the I. O. O. F. and the members of 
the Agricultural Association. 

JOHN WARDEN was born in North Carolina in 183«, son of Robert and Eli/.abeth 
(Pilcher) Warden. His earlj'- education was very limited, he never having received more 
than six mom hs' schooling during his life. At the age of six years he was brought ;o- 
Tennessee by his parents, and made his home with them until he was twenty-one years 
old. October 27, 1847, he married Rachel Ashby. She was born in Lincoln County De- 
cember 1, 1825, daughter of Alex Ashby. They have three children: Vina Jane (Mrs. 
George Millstead), John Wilson and Travis Alex. Mr. Warden resided in the Sixth Dis- 
trict of Lincoln County until May, 1864, when he purchased 100 acres in the Seventh Dis- 
trict, and there has since resided. He lost his wife May 9, 1854, and the following year he 
married Martha A. Diincau, daughter of Judge Duncan. They have six children: Mar- 
tha Ellen, Mary Elenora, William James, Hardin Daniel, Judge and James Ebenezer 
Goodloe. Their mother died June 30, 1880, and March 20 of the next year he raai'ried Mary 
C. Ashby, a sister of his first wife. In 1861 Mr. Warden joined Companj' A, Forty-first Reg- 
iment Tennessee Infantry, and was in the battles of Fort Douelsou, Raymond, Vicksburg, 
Jackson and Chickamauga. He was captured at Fort Donelson, and taken to Camp Mor- 
ton, Ind., where he was retained seven months. He returned home in December, 186-3. 
He is conservative in politics, and he and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist 
Church. His father was born in North Carolina in 1790, and was married in 1830. After 
living two years in Illinois he came to Lincoln County, Tenn. He died in 1863, The 
mother was born in North Carolina in 1799, and died in 1861. Of their eleven children 
eight are living: Hardin, Eraeline (widow of John H. Steelman), John, Daniel, Jane 
(Mrs. James Isom), Darinda (Mrs. G. W. McAfee), James ]M. and Franklin H. 

THOMAS J. WHITAKER, citizen and farmer of the Thirteenth District, was born in 
Lincoln County April 23, 1823, and is one of a family of seven children born to Benjamin 
and Mahaldah Whitaker, and the grandson of John Whitaker, who built the first grist- 
mill in Lincoln County. He was the first chairman of the county court, and will be jc- 
membered by many of the oldest citizens now living in the count)'. The father of our 
subject was born in Kentucky, and came to Lincoln County with his parents at a very 
early day. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in the Eighth District September 
12, 1869, being over eighty years of age. The mother is supposed to be a native of Geor- 
gia, and died about 1840. Our subject received a good, practical education in the com- 
mon schools near home, and in 1847 was married to Elizabeth R. Moores, a native of 
Lincoln County, Tenn., born November 19, 1821, and died November 30, 1880. By this 
union six children were born, four of whom are living: W. N., M. E., Susan. Dora and 
In 1847 our subject bought 167 acres of land in the Thirteenth District, where he has since 
resided. The place is pleasantly located, well improved, and is near Fayetteville Elkton 
road, twelve miles west of Fayetteville. 

ALEXANDER J. WHITAKER, son of Joseph and Ann (Jeffries) Whitaker, was born 



LINCOLN COUNTY. 921 

in Lincoln County in 1833 The father was born in Kentucky in 1788, and was of English 
extraction. He was married twice, the first time to Martha Hughes, by whom he had six 
children, only two of whom are living. Mrs. Whitaker died in 1830, and in 1832 Mr. 
Wliitaker married his second wife, by whom he had two children: Julia F., wife of T. D. 
Hill, and the subject of this sketch. The father died in 1874 and the mother in 1863. 
Alexander was reared at home, and received his early education in the district schools 
but later attended the academj' at Mulberry for about seven years, where he took quite a 
thorough course. January 10, 1855, he wedded Sarah J. McMillen, daughter of Dock and 
Madeline McMillen, and by this union became the father of eight children, five of whom 
are living: Joe D., Charley B., Edna, Fannie E. and Henry. Soon after marriage our 
subject located on his father's farm, and in 1867 purchased 150 acres of land, on which he 
is now residing. In 1865 Mr. Whitaker was elected magistrate, and has held the same 
office ever since. At the breaking out of the war Mr. Whitaker enlisted in the Fifth Ken- 
tucky Infantr}', and took an active part in the battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga. He is 
independent in polititical belief, a Mason, K. of H.. and both he and wife are members oi 
the Missionary Baptist Church. 

HON. W. W. WILSON is the son of William and Susan Wilson, natives of Ken- 
tucky and North Carolina, respectively. The father was born in February, 1799, and 
came to Lincoln County with his parents when but six years of age. He followed agri- 
cult\iral pursuits as a livelihood, and was quite successful at this. He died in March, 
1856. The mother was born in 1797, and departed this life in 1845. Our subject was born 
in Lincoln County, April 28, 1827, and received his education in the school near his coun- 
try home, and at Viny Grove, under Prof. Erwin. In 1848 he married Miss A. Whit 
ing, a daughter of Robert and Mrs. Whiting. She was born in Robertson County in 
1829. Mr. Wilson began teaching, and has followed that occupation for about ten years. 
In 1851 he bought ten acres of land in the Thirteenth District, where he located, and has 
since lived. He now owns 250 acres in a very desirable place, and is doing a good busi- 
ness. About 1858 he was elected magistrate, and again in 1864. He has held the oflice 
considerable of the time since, up to 1880, when he refused to accept the position any lon- 
ger. In 1872 he was chosen by the people to represent them in the State Legislature. He 
is a man well known throughout the county, and his being elected to offices of trust at 
different times shows that the public appreciates his services. He is a Democrat, and a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church. 

J. B. WILSON, the proprietor of a furniture and undertaking establishmeni id f a.y- 
etteville, Lincoln County, Tenn., was born in that place February 3, 1834. He is the eld- 
est child of a family of five children — three sons and two daughters — born to Union 
A. and Mary (Shanks) Wilson, and was educated in Fayetteville. At the age of six- 
teen he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade in his father's shop, and continued work- 
ing for him until 1854, when his father, his brother, C. S. Wilson, ard himself entered in- 
to a co-partuership of undertaking and dealing in furniture, in whic a they continued un- 
til 1859. He was married to Miss M. A. Whitaker October 6, 1856, and eight children were 
oona to this union — six daughters and two sons — of whom only four are living; Martha A., 
Mi'ry M., James B. and Myrtle C. At the breaking out of hostilities between the North 
and South oar subject enlisted in Company C, Forty-first Tennessee Regiment Confeder- 
ate States Army, in December, 1862. For his second wife he took Mrs. Lucy A. (McDan- 
iel) Fullerton May 10, 1882, who was born April 28, 1850. She was first married to Robert 
G. Fullerton December 1, 1868, by which marriage there were three daughters born, only 
two now living: Willa A. and Lucy Q. J. B. Wilson is a practical business man and has 
an extensive trade. He has been the leading furniture dealer and undertaker in Fayette- 
ville for the last twenty years. He has been a life-long Democrat, is an elder in the Pres- 
byterian Church, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. 

C. S. WILSON. In 1858 C. S. Wilson established a sale and feed stable in Fayette- 
ville, Tenn., and soon after, on a very humble scale, engaged in the livery stable business. 



922 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

He steadily prospered in his undertakings, and in March, 1885, owned twenty-six vehicles 
and twenty liorses. On the 4th of that month the building caught fire, and the building, 
thirteen buggies and fifteen horses were consumed. Mr. Wilson immediately began erect- 
ing a mucli larger building, 82x125 feet, with a capacity of feeding sixty-eighl; honsis. 
He is doing an extensive business, meeting with the success his effort^ deserve. \ He was 
born in 1835 in Fayetteville, and is a son ot Union A. and Mary (Shanks) Wilson. ■ When 
about fourteen \-ears of age he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade, continuing; eight 
years. In 1869 he became proprietor of the Shanks House, and managed that hotel for 
four years. In 1878 he purchased 200 acres of land, which he has managed in connection 
with his stable. In November, 1861. he and M. E. Lauderdale were married. She was 
born in 1840, and is the mother of four childi'en: Charles, Beulah, Augusta and Fannie. 
Mr. Wilson has been a business man of Fayetteville for the past twenty-five j'cars, and is 
in every respect an honest and worthy citizen. He is a Democrat, and belongs to the K. 
of P. His father was born in Tennessee in 1818, and was a cabinet-maker by trade. In 
1833 he married, and after his first wife's death he wedded Rebecca Price, who yet sur- 
vives him. He was the father of thirteen children, and died in 1875. 

J. W. WOOJARD, a native of Lincoln County, was born March 9, 1843, son of M. C. 
and Lucinda Woodard. The father was of Irish descent, and Wcis born in Lincoln County 
in 1810. He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation, and died ii, September, 1860. The 
mother of our subject was also born in Lincoln County about 1818, and now resides at the 
old home-place in the Thirteenth District with her son, W. S. Our subject received his 
education in the schools near home, and remained with his parents until the breaking out 
of the late war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, 
and took part in the battles of Sliiloh, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Petersburg, and was 
captured at this place and taken to Fort Delaware, where he remained about four 
months. He returned home in July, 1865, after over four years' service, and was in many 
of tlie hottest battles of the war without receiving a single wound. In 1866 he married 
^I. E. Hampton, a native of Lincoln County, born in 1845, and the daughter of Samuel 
and Annie Hampton. To our subject and wife wei:eborn six children: Samuel M., James 
G.,John H. F., Lillian, Robert M. andMartha-L. After remaining on the old home-place 
about four years our subject purcliased about 100 acres of laud in the Thirteenth District, 
where he located and remained about thirteen years. In 1883 he bought 135 acre-s 
in the Sixteenth District, where be located. He still retains the farm in the Thirteenth 
District and owns 485 acres of valuable land. He also owns a mill and is doing a good 
business in grinding grain and sawing lumber. Besides this, he lot)ks after the interest of 
the farm. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodis'. 
Episcopal Church. 

M. W. WOODARD, attorney at law, of Fayetteville, Tenn., was born in Lincoln 
County, in lo4b. the third son of Robert S. and Mary (McKinnty) Woodard, born in 
Tennessee and North Carolina, in 1821 and 1825, respectively. The father was a teacher 
and farmer iu early life, and was married in 1842. In 1847 he was elected tax-collector 
of Lincoln County, serving one term. In 1856 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, 
and held the position until the late war. In 1864 he was re-elected and held the of5<?e 
til 1868. Soon after the organization of the Lincoln County Savings Bank he was cboseu 
assistant cashier, but at the organization of the First National Bank he was/Cbofven it.s 
cashier, which ])Osition he held until his death in 1877. During the many yea-fi he wo- in 
public life he was the administrator of many large estates. His father, fteuben Wood- 
ard, wa.s born in 1792, in North Carolina, and was a pioneer settler of Tenbessee. He 
was a brick-mason, and lived to be eighty-six years of age. Our subject's mother, since 
her husband's death, has resided on the old homestead with two of her children. Their 
family consisted of eleven children: James L., Galen D., M. W., Annie 15. (Mrs. Thomas 
Dryden), Mary E. (Mrs. Dr. O. R. Hatcher), A. B., Robert P., J. Reube:i, W. K.. Addie 
(Mrs. Eugene Higgins) and one deceased sister (Mrs. Sallie Francis). Our subject was ed- 
ucated in Milton College, Fayetteville, and in 1868 began studying law, anlin 1871 was ad 



LINCOLN COUNTY. <<23 

mitted to the bar and began immediately to practice. In 1873 he was appointed judnc of 
the county court, and filled the position for eighteen months. In 1883 he and Hon. R. 
L. Bright formed a law partnership, and the firm is known as Bright & Woodard. They 
constitute one of the leading law firms of Lincoln County, and our subject is one of the 
leading and useful members of society. October 35, 1871, he married IdaL. Hatcher, who 
wa« born ip Maury County. Tenn., in 1854. The following are the names of their chil- 
dren: Irene, Octa.L., Bessie, Robert 8., Bernard H., Fannie, John and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. 
Woodard are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Democrat and belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F. 

ELDER J. G. WOODS was born in Franklin County, Tenn., in 1823, and is a <ou of 
William and Mary (Harris) Woods. Wm. Woods was born in Virginia in 1776. and Mary 
Harris, his wife, was born in Kentucky in 1782. They died in Franklin County. Tcun., 
in 1838 and 1840, respectiTely. Wm. Woods was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a tiller of 
the soil, and for upward of thirty years was a Primitive Baptist minister. He was one 
of the earliest settlers and largest land owners of Franklin County. Of his large family 
of children, only three are living: Mourning S., Mary A (widow of John Miller), and J. 
O., who is the youngest. J. G. Woods was educated in the pioneer log schooUiouse of 
primitive days. After his parents' death he resided on the home farm about tiiree years, 
and on November 30, 1843, he was married to Susan J. Boyce, daughter of Joseph and 
Martha J. Boyce, who was a daughter of Paul Dismukes. Susan J. was born in Madison 
County, Ala., in 1825. J. G. and Susan J. Woods had six children, to wit: James H., Ar- 
chibald M., William E.. Joseph G., Mary A. and Mattie E. Archibald M. died in inf;iucy, 
and Mary A. died aftBr she was grown. Since 1844 Mr. Woods has been a resident of 
Fayetteville. He and James H. Cobb were engaged in the tanning, saddlery and harness 
business for a number of years, and they were also engaged in buying and shipping pro- 
duce South. In 1850 they erected the first livery and feed stable in the town, and two 
years later they closed their partnership business, after which our subject served as <">')u- 
stable and justice of the peace for several years, during which time he studied law aud 
was admitted as a practicing attorney in 1858. He continued to practice law until 1875. 
In 1857 or 1858, upon the re-organization of the Winchester & Alabama Railroad, he was 
elected one of its directors, and continued a director until the road was sold by the State. 
He was also president and receiver of the road for some lime. At the organization of the 
First National Bank of Fayetteville he was elected one of the directors, and in November, 
1874, was elected president of the same, but resigned in January, 1885, owing to ill health. 
He was licensed to preach by the Primitive Baptist Church in the fall of 1873, and or- 
dained in 1874, and has been actively engaged in the ministry from that time until the 
present, except when prevented by bad health. His wife Susan J. died in 1865, and the 
following year he married Lou S, Webb, who is a daughter of Hartwell and Nancy AVebb, 
and was born in 1825. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since about 1^51, 

JAMES H. WRIGHT is one of twelve children of Jacob and Nancy Wright, and 
was born in Lincoln County, Tenn.. in 1812. His father was of English descent, born 
and married in Virginia. He came to Tennessee and followed the life of a farmer, and 
died when about ninety-six years of age. The mother was born in Ireland, and came to 
the United States with her parents. James H. obtained the rudiments of his education in 
the schools near his home, and in 1839 married Nancy, daughter of John and Elizabeth 
Trantam. They have thirteen children: Elizabeth (Mrs. John Alsup), Josie (Mrs. John 
Myers), Fannie (Mrs. Ruf. Smith), Ethlinda (Mrs. Robert Maury), W. L., A. W., S. H., 
J. H., R. L.. D. N., J. H. and Cordelia, and one son. Marshall, who was killed at the 
"battle of Chattanooga. Mr. Wright has always farmed, and by the sweat of his l)row 
has become the owner of 300 acres of valuable and well improved land. He has been suc- 
cfessful. He has reared a large family of children and given them good educational ad- 
vantages, and has a comfortable competency. Mr. Wright is a Democrat, and he and 
Mrs. Wright are members of the Christian Church. 

WILLIAM R. WYATT, farmer and miller of Fayetteville, Tenn., was born in Lin 



924 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

coin County, in 1844. His father William Wyatt was of English-Irish descent; boru in 
1803 in South Carolina. He came to Tennessee in 1804. and to Lincoln County in 1807 or 
1808, and was a teacher and farmer by occupation, being very successful in both occupa- 
tions. He married Sallie Breckenridge in 18;^, and died in 1880. His wife was born in 
South Carolina in 1804, and died in l^J-^. The Wyatt family came to Tennessee when the 
country was almost a wilderness. The bottom lands were covered with cane, and the 
countrj- was infested with Indians and many wild animals. They did their share in help- 
ing to settle and'clear the lands of Lincoln County. Of the seven children born to Will- 
iam and Sallie Wyatt, three are living: Margaret .Jane. Mollie E. and William R., who 
received such education as could be obtained in the old fashion schoolhouses of his boy- 
hood days. July 4, 1864, he and Sallie Mc.('own were united in marriage. She was born 
in South Carolina in 1 84o, a daughter of Jo-<eph I. and Mary (Bryson) McCown. Mr. 
and .Mrs. Wyatt have six children: Eva, Delia, Lizzie, Jennie, Joseph and Flora. Mr. 
Wyatt resided with hi.^ parents four year', and in 1868 purcha.sed 200 acres of land about 
five miles from FayetteviJle, where he settled and resided until January 1, 1886, when he 
moved to town to educate his children. By enertry and industry Mr. Wyatt is the owner 
f)f 400 acres of land. He is a Republican in poll tics, and his first presidential vote was cast 
for U. S. Grant in 1868. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. 
In 1884 he purchased a saw-mill which he operates in connection with his farm. 

JOHN YOL'NG, lumberman and builder, was born in New Hampshire March 24, 
1842, and is one of nine children born to Benjamin and Melinda (Everett) Young. Our 
subject remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, and received his early edu- 
cation in the district schools of New Hampshire. After immigrating to Illinois he 
attended a graded school, where he received a good practical education, and after this he 
was engaged in farming and thre.^hing for several years.l He was in the array, and served 
several years in the quartermaster's department. In 1867 he came to Lincoln County, and 
settled at Flintville, where he purchased some property. In 1870 he wedded Sarah M. 
Bradford, and the fruits of this union w*^re five children, four of whom a-T living. Sarah, 
(Jeorge, John and James. In ls79 Mr. Young purchased a milling property, and has since 
been engaged in sawing lumber and grinding grain. Although commencing life with but 
little of this world's goods, Mr. Young now owns, exclusive of town and mill property, 
about 200 acres of land near Fliutville. The father of our subject was born in New 
Hampshire about 1810, and was of English origin. He received a good business educa- 
tion, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1856 he moved to Illinois, and is living 
there at the present time. The mother of our subject was also born in New Hampshire, 
about 1810. and is still living. 



MOORE COUNTY. 

The firm of BILLINQSLEY & BAILEY wa^ formed November 4, ISS.'S, by 8. A. Bill. 
ingsley & T. G. Bailey. The senior member of firm is a native of Bledsoe County, Tena., 
born October 31, 18.58, and was reared in his native county. His father was a farmer. 
Our subject engaged in merchandising for two years at Spencer, Tenn., before coming 
here. February, 1884, he went to Mulberry and there engaged in teaching, being princi- 
pal of the schools at that place until June 4, 18-86, when he resigned. December 16, 1885, 
he married Jennie Sugg, of Cyruston, Lincoln Co., Tenn. The father of Mr. Billingsley 
was a minister, and his grandfather was a member of the first Tennessee Legislature. The 
father of our subject died in 1878, and his mother is still living. Mr. Bailey, junior member 
of the firm, was born in the present limits of Moore County, and is a son of Thomas R. 
and Nancy M. (Edwards) Bailey, natives of North Carolina and Alabama reaeclively. The 



MOORE COUNTY. 925 

father was a farmer, and died April 4, 1884; the mother still survives. Mr. Bailey engaged 
as clerk in a store in Lynchburg, for two years, and then formed a partnership with T. 
H. Parks & Co., continuing with that firm until December, 1882. He held an interest ia 
R. B. Parks & Co.'s store until March 10. 1884, when he retired and attended school five 
months. In November, 1885, he joined the present firm, which is doing a general merchan- 
dising trade with a stock of $2,5(Xi. Both are Democrats, and are young and enterprising 
business men. 

J. L. BRYANT & CO. This firm is now composed of II. B. Morgan and J. W. Motlow. 
It was first established in 1872, bj' J. L. Bryant (now deceased) and H. B. Morgan. J. L. 
Brj'ant had himself been in business in Lynchburg since 1866. He was born September 
25, 1824, in Lincoln County, and was reared in West Tennessee, and when a young man 
returned to Moore Count}', and on August 24. 1845, married Finetta B. Leftwich and en- 
gaged in merchandising at Charity, in this county, continuing in mercantile pursuits until 
his death. In 1865 he was at Shelbyville, and removed from there to Lynchburg. He was 
also an extensive farmer and stock trader. He was drowned April 5, 1883, at Shclbyville. 
He was a very popular man, and was identified with the social and public interests, and 
was one of the most successful business men of Moore County. There now survives him 
a family of two daughters and his widow. H. B. Morgan was born October 14. 1842, in 
Lincoln County, Tenn., being a son of W. A. and Mary (Davidson) Morgan, both now 
living near Montgomery, Ala. Young ^lorgau remained on the farm until 1861. when he 
enlisted with the '"boys in gray " and served till the battle of Franklin, in 1864. in which 
he lost an arm. He returned home in June, 1865, and farmed for one year. He then be- 
came deputy sheriff of Lincoln County, holding that office four years, and was then elected 
sheriff for four years. In 1872 he entered the above named firm, and has been very suc- 
cessful. He was married in 1868 to Mrs. Mary J. Reece. nee Bryant, daughter of .J. L. 
Bryant. To this union one daughter has been born— Jessie B. Mrs. Morgan was the 
mother of one daughter by her former marriage— Johnnie Reece. Mr. Morgan is a public 
spirited citizen of the county, and is highly respected. J. W. Motlow was born in Lynch- 
burg, November 17, 1851, being a son of John T. and Finetta B. (Broadway) Motlow. who 
reside near Lynchburg. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty-one began 
farming for himself, which he continued until 1SS2. when he entered the firm of J. L. 
Brvant & Co. He was married, January 1, 1880, to Miss Willie Alice Bryant, daughter of 
J. L. Bryant, the result (^f this union being one daughter — Aetna. Mr. Motlow is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and is an enterprising citizen of Lynchburg. 

S. E. H. DANCE, M. D.. the leading physician of Lynchburg, Tenn.. was bora 
March 30, 1834, son of Stephen M. and Sarah (Smith) Dance, born in Virginia and North 
Carolina,' and died in 1853 and 1862. respectively. They came to Lincoln County about 
18% ^l^c father was a farmer of ordinary means and a local minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm and at the time of 
his father's death was attending Emory and Henry College, Virginia. He returned home • 
and began the study of medicine and attended one course of lectures, in 1854-55 in the 
University of Tenn. He graduated from the Louisville (Ky.) Medical College in 1856 
and began practicing his profession in Lynchburg. During the war he was assistant 
surgeon ^f Turuey's First Tennessee, and in 1863 was promoted to surgeon of the Eighth 
Tennessee, continuing until near the close of the conflict, when he was made medical 
director for the reserves of Tennessee. After his return from the battle field he resumed 
his profession in Lvnchburg. in which he has met with good success. September 16, 1856. 
he married Miami A. Berry, and eight children blessed their union— Edward :M.. William 
H Charles H. .'Frank P.. Fannie, Robert R.. Harry H. and Clifford C. In 1883 Dr. Dance 
and his son, William H., opened a drug store in Lynchburg. He is one of the stockholders 
of the cotton-mills, and also owns an interest in the grist-mills of Dance & Waggoner, at 

JACK DANIEL, proprietor of the distillery at Lynchburg, Tenn., was born in Moore 
County, in 1848. His father, Gallaway Daniel, came from North Carolina to Moore 

M 



926 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

County when eight years of age. and in later years followed tilling the soil as an occu- 
pation. Our subject has always been a farmer, and in 1876 erected his distillery, which he 
began operating two years later, under the firm name of Daniel & Call, continuing thus 
five years. It has a capacity of fifty bushels per day and turns out some of the finest 
brands of " Lincoln County" whisky. Mr. Daniel is the owner of a large and produc- 
tive farm, which he manages in connection with his distillery, and on which he raises 
large numbers of live-stock. 

BENJAMIN M. EDENS, one of Moore County's pioneer citizens, was born in Mad- 
ison County, Ala., July 13, 1822, and is one of five surviving members of a family of nine 
children born to iSamuel and Nancy (Franks) Edens. The father was a native of South 
Carolina, and came to Limestone County, Ala., where he married the mother of our sub- 
ject. They came to Lynchburg, this county, in 1835, located, and engaged in farming. The 
father's death occured about 1866, and the mother followed him about 1870. Our subject 
remained with his parents until his majority, after which he began farming for himself. 
September, 1849, he led to the hymeneal altar Pauline Blythe, a native of Moore County. 
This union resulted in the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living. Immediately 
after marriage they settled on the farm where they now reside. At that time it was an 
unbroken wilderness, but by hard labor and per.severance, and after enduring many pri- 
vations customary with the pioneer settlers, he now owns a fine tract of over 200 acres of 
mostly cultivated land. Mr. Edens cast his first vote in 1844, and has always voted for 
the nominees of the Democratic party. He and family are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

REV. JAMES S. ERVIN, merchant, and a native of what was then Lincoln, but is 
now Moore County, Tenn., was born April 4, 1832, and is a son of James S. and Jemimah 
(Merrill) Ervin. The parents were natives of North Carolina, and immigrated to this 
county in 1816 and 1818, respectively. The father was an industrious farmer, and died 
November 7, 1881; the mother followed November 9 of the same year. Our subject 
remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he married Catherine 
Womack, November 7, 1849, a native of Bedford County. The fruits of this union were 
sixteen children, twelve of whom are still living. The mother of these children died April 
5, 1880, and September of the same year Mr. Ervin was united in marriage to Rebecca 
Dillingham, a native of this county. In 1855 our subject moved to Bedford County and 
followed agricultural pursuits till 1866, when he came to this county and located on the 
farm where he has since resided. He has a fine tract of 150 acres at County Line, and also 
has another farm in the county of 130 acres. In 1869 he engaged in merchandising in 
County Line, and has continued that business ever since. In 1857 he was ordained minis- 
ter in the Baptist Church, of which he and his family are worthy members. Politically he 
has always been identified with the Democratic party, and is a strong advocate cf temper- 
ance. 

ALEXANDER FORESTER, farmer, was born in Moore County (then Lincoln 
County) in 1820, and is one of eleven surviving members of a family of fourteen children 
born to Isaac and Matilda (Hodges) Forester. The father was born in South Carolina in 
1790, and came to Moore County previous to the war of 1813, in which he participated 
undef Gen. Coffee, and afterward under Gen. Jackson. At the close of the Indian war he 
returned to Moore (Lincoln) County, and soon after was married. The parents are both 
still living, having now enjoyed the companionship of each other about seventy years. 
The youngest child is now forty-three years old, and the oldest is our subject. The 
parents have had eighty-nine granchildren, sixty-nine of whom are still living. They have 
over sixty great-grandchildren, all still living but three or four. They also have two great- 
great-grandchildren, both living. Our subject at the age of twenty-three left his home, 
and in 1843 was united in marriage to Minerva Eaton, a native of Moore (Lincoln) County. 
Eight children blessed this union, seven of whom are still living, and five are married and 
have children. In 1862 Mr. Forester enlisted in the Confederate Army, in a Kentucky reg- 
iment of infantry, but afterward, just before the battle of Murfreesboro, was transferred 



MOOKE COUNTY, 927 

to Newman's battalion. In 1863 he was discharged, owing to advanced age, after having 
participated in the battles of Shiloh and Baton Rouge. March 20, 1863, he returned 
home, and has since followed farming on the place where he now resides, a good farm of 
270 acres. The whole Forester family are stanch Democrats, although none have ever 
aspired to office. 

HON. W. W. GORDON was born in Winchester, Tenn., May 20, 1848. His father. 
Dr. Amzi B. Gordon, was a native of the county of Bedford, moving to Franklin 
County in about the year 1841, where he began the practice of medicine, soon building up 
a large and lucrative practice. He was a zealous member of the Baptist Church and one 
of the founders of the celebrated Mary Sharp College, at Winchester. He died in 1855. 
His mother is a daughter of John March, a highly respected farmer of the county, and 
a sister of Hon. Hay den March, who represented Franklin Count}' several times in the 
Legislature. Mr. Gordon received only the rudiments of an English education at Carrick 
Academy, in his native town, the suspension of the schools during the five years of 
war depriving him, as it did thousands of the youth of the South, of the means of ob- 
taining an education. He entered a printing office during the war, partly for the educa- 
tional advantages thus offered, but principally for the meager salary thereby obtained for 
the support of his widowed mother and sister. He moved to Nashville soon after the war, 
working in the various departments of the newspaper offices of that city. He spent sev- 
eral years in visiting the principal cities of the Union. In 1870 he was married to Miss 
Mary E. Fletcher, daughter of G. G. and Ann Fletcher, of Shelbyville, Tenn. He has 
but one child, Russell W., born in 1871. In 1874 he moved to Lynchburg, Moore County, 
and in April of that year established the Sentinel, continuing its publication for five years. 
During that period he was four times elected mayor, .and was chosen twice by the county 
court as superintendent of public instruction. Attracted bj' the excellent schools of his 
native town, he returned to Winchester in 1883, to educate his son. In 1884 he was 
elected representative of Franklin County in tiie Fortj'-fourth General Assembly oi the.. 
State. He is an enthusiastic advocate of popular education, a Democrat in polities', and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 

JOHN E. GORE, farmer, of Moore County, was born in April, 1836, in Bedford 
County, Tenn., and is a son of Amos and Mary A. (Cowser) Gore. The parents were both 
natives of South Carolina, and camt; to Bedford County in the early settlement of the 
county. Our subject left the parental roof at the age of eighteen, and in 1844 went tb 
Mississippi, where he remained three years engaged in farming and boating. He then 
came home and bought a small farm in this county (then Franklin County). In Septem- 
ber, 1849, he was united in marriage to Jane Cunningham, a native of this county, and in 
1866 bought the farm where he now resides, a tract of 200 acres, splendidly watered by 
several springs, one of which issues from a cave near his residence, affording splendid 
water facilities, which is not used except for drinking purposes. To our subject and wife 
were born eight children, five of whom are still living: Elizabeth, William L., Rebecca 
(Mrs. Duckworth), Robert E. and Joshua. Politically Mr. Gore has always been identi- 
fied with the Democratic party, but has never aspired to office. He and familj' are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. 

DR. A. H. PARKES, whose birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, in Moore 
County, October 11, 1836, is one of seven surviving children, born to the union of Mar- 
tin L. and Susan (Smith) Parkes. The father was a native of North Carolina, born in 1793, 
and came to this county about 1818. He was an officer in the war of 1812, and was mag- 
istrate in Lincoln County for several years. He was a tiller of the soil, and died Decem- 
ber, 12, 1845. The mother was born August, 8, 1803, in Virginia, and came to this county 
in 1818, where she was married the same year. She died August, 11, 1881. At the age of 
seventeen, our subject began the study of medicine with a brother in Lj'uchburg, 
where he remained three years, after which he attended a course of lectures in the medi- 
cal department of the University of Nashville. He then practiced for oni- year, and in the 
fall of 1858, entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia where he graduated the 



928 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

following March. April. 1861, he joined Turney's First Tennessee Infantry, and in the fall 
of the same year was elected lieutenant. May, 1862, he returned home, and since that time 
fias been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in connection with farming. 
November 26, 1867, he married Mary E. Killer, daughter of J. A. Killer, a lieutenant in 
the Mexican war. Three children were the result of our subject's marriage, all of whom 
are living, viz.: Laura M., Susan B., and Albert H. 

M. N. PARKES is one of the ten children born to the union of Martin L. and Susan 
B. (Smith) Parkes. The father was born in North Carolina in 1793, and immigrated to 
what is now Moore County, Tenn., in 1818, where he lived the balance of his life. The 
country then was dense forests and canebrakes. He was a blacksmith and a farmer, 
and was a man of simple means. He was a member of tlie Primitive Baptist Chui'ch, 
and was a soldier in the war of 1812, being a lieutenent and also a recruiting officer. He 
died in 1845. The mother was born in 1803, and removed here when quite 3'oung. Our 
subject was born January 19. 1889 near Lynchburg; was reared on a farm, and learned 
the tanner's trade when a boy, which occupation he followed for thirteen years. He then 
engaged in the cotton factory at Lynchburg, and after that was burned down, he engaged 
in milling till 1876, when he engaged in the retail liquor dealing, with John L. McWhir- 
ter, under the firm name of McWhirter «& Parkes, till 1878. He then bought Whirter out, 
and engaged with D. S. Evans, as Parkes & Evans, the present firm. Mr. Parkes has been 
quite successful in his business, considering the reverses he has met with. In 1866 he 
married Mary F. Womack, which union resulted in the birth of six children, four of 
whom are now living: Mary A. (wife of William H. Dance), John B., Charles M. and 
Lema. Mr. Parkes is a Democrat and one of the enterprising men of the county. Mrs. 
Parkes is a member of the Christian Church. 

RUFUS B. PARKS, clerk and master of the Chancery Court of Moore County, 
Tenn., is one of four children born to Allen W. and Fannie (Miller) Parks, natives of 
North Carolina, born in 1797 and 1802, respectively. They took up their abode perma- 
nently in Tennessee in 1826. The father was a farmer, merchant, and in latter days kept 
hotel, and was magistrate a number of years. He died November 18, 1884, and the 
mother January 6, 1877. Rufus B. was born May 5, 1827, near Lynchburg, and received 
a good practical education. For about four or five years after attaining the age of nine- 
teen he clerked in merchandise stores and then engaged in the business for himself, con- 
tinuing until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifth 
Kentucky Infantry, and was afterward transferred to the Ninth Kentucky Infantry, in 
which he was lieutenant. On account of poor health he resigned and came home, 
but soon joined the Twenty-third Tennessee Battalion and served until the close of the 
conflict. After his return he farmed alone until 1883, when he engaged in merchandising 
also, which he followed until 1885. He owns 120 acres of land. In 1849 he was married 
to Emily J. Roundtree, who died November 80, 1884, having borne him four children: 
Rufus A., Alice A. (Mrs. Loderick Robertson), Edwin L. and May. Mr. Parks has been 
a member of the Christian Church, in which he is deacon, for forty years. Politically he 
is a Democrat, and has been magistrate about six years. He was elected to his present 
position in 1883, and is an e'fficieut and trustworthy officer. 

HON. R. A. PARKS, editor of the Lynchburg Falcon and attorney at law, was born 
October 21, 1849, in Lynchburg. His father is Rufus B. Parks, whose sketch appears 
next above. His early life was spent with his parents and in school. He engaged in teach- 
ing school and studying law when a young man. In June, 1872, he obtained license to 
practice law, and has ever since continued to do so, in the firm of Holman & Parks, from 
1872 to 1884, and since then in the firm of Holman, Uolman & Parks. He was united in 
marriage, November 14 1873, to Miss Susan A. Holt, of Moore County. This union has been 
blessed in the birth of six children, four of whom are now living: Roy H., Pearl, Harry R. 
and Margaret. Mr. Parks is a Democrat in politics and takes an active interest in political 
affairs. He has held the office of recorder of Lynchburg, and is now filling his second 
term of office as mayor of the town. He represented Lincoln and Moore Counties in the 



MOORE COUNTY. 929 

lower house of the Legislature from 1883 to 1884. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
having joined that fraternity in December, 1884. Since February, 1884, he has been 
editor and proprietor of the Lynchburg Falcon, and has made it a good paper, 

THOMAS H. PARKS, of the firm of Parks, Taylor & Co:', of Lynchburg, Tenn., is a 
son of Ambrose Lee and Eleanor E. (Watts) Parks. The father was born in North 
Carolina. After his marriage he moved to Missouri, where he resided until 1846, and then 
came to Lynchburg, Tenn., where he was engaged in the wheelwright and wagon-making 
business. Both parents died in 1850. Thomas H. was born in Missouri October 19, 1840, 
being but nine years old when his parents died. He made his home with an uncle in 
Alexander County, N. C, until seventeen years old. In 1858 he came to Lynchburg, 
Tenn., and engaged in the carpenter's trade, relying upon his own exertions for support. 
He joined the Confederate Army, Turney's First Tennessee, Company E, and served until 
,the close of the war, with the exception of nearly two years spept in prison. He began 
dealing in live-stock after the war, and about 1870 began selling goods in Lynchburg, but 
on a very limited scale. He has increased his business from time, to time and is now 
doing well financially and is one of the leading business men of Lynchburg. He was 
married in 1869 to E. A. M. Taylor, daughter of Squire J. H. Taylor, and their union has 
been blessed with six children: Minnie M., John L., Willie K., Emma P., Thomas H. and 
Nellie H. Mr. Parks is a Democrat, and owns about 200 acres of laud. He and wife and 
eldest daughter are members of the Christian Church. 

E. Y. SALMON, M. D., was born in the "Palmetto State," on the 26th of June, 1830. 
His father, William H. Salmon, was a physician and immigrated to Alabama in 1833, and 
afterward removed to Texas in 1863, where he died. He was identified with public inter- 
ests in Alabama, and held the office of clerk, for twenty-four years. The mother died in 
Texas at an advanced age. Our subject was reared in Alabama, and resided with his par- 
ents until nineteen years of age. He voluntered to serve in the Mexican war in 1846, but 
peace was declared before he reached the Army. He went to California in 1849, and 
mined for eighteen months, and then engaged in trading. In 1854 he returned to Ala- 
bama, then went to Texas, where he studied medicine two years, and then entered the 
medical department of the Universit}'' of Tennesse, and graduated in 1857. He practiced 
in Lynchburg until 1861, when he organized the first company that was organized in the 
State, which took the name of the Lynchburg Rangers, Company E. He served in Tur- 
ney's First Tennesee, as sergeant and captain. After his return, he practiced at Lynch- 
burg until 1872, when he was made clerk and master of the chancery court of Moore 
County, two terms. In 1882, he removed to Nashville, where he was engaged in the 
manufacture of veterinary medicines, which he has continued ever since. His summer 
home is in Lynchburg, where he is one of the most popular citizens. He and Margaret 
Taylor were married in 1858, and of the six children born to them, one is dead: Bettie F. 
(wife of Dr. J. C. Franklin, of Nashville), Eliza B., William T.. Nannie B., and H. Carrie 
are those'living. Dr. Salmon and family are members of the Christian Church, and he is 
a firm Democrat in politics. 

JOHN N. SULLIVAN, farmer, was born November 2, 1838, in*Moore County, and is 
one of ten children born to Dempsey and Naoma (Neece) Sullivan. The parents were 
both born in this county in 1811 and 1812, respectively, the father being of Scotch-Irish 
descent. He was a farmer, although he also engaged in the mercantile business for a 
few years in Lincoln County, and dealt largely in stock from 1845 to 1855. The mother 
died September, 1884. The father is still living, a hale, hearty man of seventy-five. John 
N. remained with his parents until the war, when he enlisted in the Eighth Tennessee 
Infantry, with which he remained till severely wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro. 
In March, 1875, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Logan, also a native of this 
county, and the fruits of this union were an interesting family of nine children, one of 
whom died in infancy. Shortly after marriage, Mr. Sullivan engaged in the tannery bus- 
iness in Bedford County, wbere he continued for fourteen years, afterward purchasing 
the farm where he is now residing, which consists of 400 acres of good land. On this 



930 BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. 

farm is quite an eminence, from which is afforded an excellent view of the surrounding 
country. Mr. Sullivan and family, are members of the Christian Church. He is identi- 
fied with the Democrats, and is an advocate of the principles of prohibition. 

JOHN H. TAYLOR was born in Oglethorpe County, Ga., February 26, 1801, and is 
the only living member of a family of seven children of Woody B. and Nancy (Seay) 
Taylor, who were born and married jn the "Palmetto State," and moved to Georgia, and 
in 1809 to Tennessee. At that time the country was covered with canebrake, and 
Lynchburg contained only two log cabins. Woody B. Taylor died in 1840, and the 
mother in 1846. John H. resided with his parents until July 18, 1826, when he wedded 
Elizabeth Ford, who was born in South Carolina and has since lived in the vicinity of 
Lynchburg. To this venerable couple ten children were born, seven of whom are living. 
Politically Mr. Taylor is a stanch Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Baptist 
Church. W. B. Taylor is the second of John H. Taylor's children. He was born near 
his present residence March l5, 1829, and resided with his parents on the farm until his 
marriage, March 2, 1869, to Susan T. Keller, a "daughter of Dr. J. A. Keller, a native of 
the county. He moved to Illinois in 1842, and there enlisted in the Mexican war as drst 
lieutenant, and died from the effects of the service in 1847. The family then came to 
Lynchburg, where the mother, whose maiden name was Lauriette Walker, now lives. 
Mrs. Taylor was born September 23, 1840, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. 
Taylor served in the late war in Company E, Turney's First Tennessee, and October 1, 
1864, lost an arm at Petersburg, Va. He resided in Alabama a short time, but soon 
returned to Moore County, Tenn., where he owns 180 acres of very fine land. 

JAMES C. TIPPS, a popular citizen of Moore County, and one of six surviving 
members of a family of twelve children born to Michael and Leah (Seivalley) Tipps, was 
born August 6, -1839, on the farm he now owns, near Marble Hill, Moore County. The 
father of James C. was a native of North Carolina, born 1809, and came to Moore County 
(Franklin) when four years of age. He was a tiller of the soil and magistrate for several 
years. He died in 1883. The mother, a native of Moore (Lincoln) County, was born 
January 24, 1810, and is still living. At the age of nineteen our subject left home, and 
September 2, 1858, was married to Mary Stoball, native of Coffee County, Tenn. Eleven 
children were the results of this union, all of whom are living. At the time of his marriage 
he began farming for himself and continued this occupation till the commencement of the 
late war, when he enlisted in the Forty-first Tennessee Infantry, with which he remained 
till the close of the war. He then returned home, and in partnership with John 
Seivalley was engaged in merchandising from 1875 to 1880. He was constable for four 
years, beginning 1866, and deputy sheriff for two years. He was appointed postmaster of 
his viHage in 1875, and still holds that position. Mr. Tipps has in his possession a deed 
written byGen. Jackson, conveying land to our subject's grandfather. Mr. Tipps and 
family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

J. H. TRIPP, M. D., of Marble Hill, was born March 18, 1843, in Lincoln County, 
Tenn., and is one of a family of seven children born to Henry and Nancy (Gattis) Tripp, 
both natives of North Carolina. They were married in Lincoln County, Tenn., and the 
father followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1846 or 1847. The mother is still 
living in Lincoln County. Our subject remained and assisted his mother on tlie farm 
until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in the Forty fourth Tennessee 
Infantry, and remained with this until the surrender at Appomatox Court House. He then 
returned home and engaged in farming for several years, and also secured a limited 
education by attending common schools for about fifteen months. He attended the 
Washington Medical College at Baltimore, Md., session of 1870-71, and then practiced 
at Marble Hill till 1876, after which he attended Medical College at Louisville, Ky. Here 
he graduated and resumed his practice at Marble Hill till the session of 1884-85 of the 
medical department of the University of Tennessee, at which place he also graduated, and 
has since continued the practice of his profession at his home in this county. August 22, 
1876, he marrijsd Sally A. Bean, to which union one child was born, Myrtle. The Doctor 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 











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